Former Dean of Belfast, John Mann, described his return to St Anne’s Cathedral on September 28 to launch his latest book as ‘a very happy occasion.’
Journeying to the Light; Daily Readings Through Advent and Christmas was launched by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, and the Very Rev Canon Edward O’Donnell, PP of St Brigid’s, Derryvolgie, and Ecumenical Canon of St Anne’s.
Bishop George said: “We are all thrilled to be here today and delighted to welcome John back to familiar territory.” To John, who was Dean from 2011-2017, the Bishop said: “We always feel you are part of us here in Belfast, and it is a privilege be asked to launch what is genuinely a lovely book. I look forward to taking time and meditating with the passages of Scripture as we go through Advent.”
The Bishop described Journeying to the Light as ‘an accessible and practical book for any Christian person preparing for Advent.’
“It is accessible because it recognises that Advent is a busy period for us all and we don’t necessarily have time to read pages and pages, but a few paragraphs from John in which he gives of himself can earth us in the Scripture we have read and in our daily lives.”
He said the book provided insights into John’s own life, his Christian ministry, and years of theological reading and reflections. “This book does what it sets out to do incredibly well. The reflections connect you to Scripture. Lots of little things drew me in and connected the Scripture with my own life experience,” Bishop George said.
“I found within the book carefully chosen, often beautiful words. At times, the language borders on poetic. The brevity of each reflection should not be mistaken for lack of depth, these well-chosen paragraphs capture the imagination.
“We are invited to engage with the paradox that we live in the darkness of a world with many challenges and at the same time we live in the presence of him who is the light.”
Fr Eddie referenced a Seamus Heaney poem, saying that in Journeying to the Light John had brought back ‘those wonderful rhymes and music of Emmanuel.’
“Those who truly engage with the reflections in this book will find them transformative,” Fr Eddie said.
“A very attractive feature of Journeying to the Light is its conversational tone. John talks about himself and his family experiences. He shares insightful observations about the morality of the modern world.”
Fr Eddie concluded: “These meditations are a series of conversations best read slowly, and in doing so, we will find ourselves joining in the conversation.”
Journeying to the Light; Daily Readings Through Advent and Christmas is intended to be read daily through the period from Advent Sunday to the Epiphany. It is largely based upon one of the Eucharistic readings each day.
It contains a forward by Bishop Brendan Leahy, Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick.
In a commendation on the back cover, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev John McDowell, writes: “These meditations on Scripture by John Mann explore the realities of light and darkness as they are found in Scripture, in human life and in Christian discipleship.
“They are the fruit of a lifetime’s pastoral ministry on these islands, chiefly in Belfast, where the lambent glow of John’s ministry was felt for 30 years.”
Following the launch, John took time to sign copies of Journeying to the Light, and books can be purchased from The Book Well, with copies also available at Belfast Cathedral.
John said it was lovely to be back in the Cathedral. Thanking Bishop George and Fr O’Donnell for their ‘very generous’ words, he said it had been ‘a very happy occasion.’
