God Calls Us: A Collection of Prayers as Poems

This is a collection of spiritual poetry written in the past year by Thomas J. Rillo. As a retired university professor, he continues to find time to serve God as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, and to praise Him. Tom’s Poetry has appeared in The Criterion (the Archdiocese of Indianapolis newspaper), in some of his church’s weekly bulletins (St. Charles Borromeo, Bloomington, IN), and in a variety of other venues.

Tom’s poetry is a continuing illustrated portrait of his ongoing conversion into a deeper faith life that was originally fueled by Cursillo participation, becoming a Benedictine Oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, and developing a fuller faith life. These poems, like his previous published poems, were inspired by the Holy Spirit guiding him to situations, places, and people where a gentle soul-felt “nudge” began a poem’s creation. The poems are simple and at the same time represent various styles of poetry format.

This book is definitely an excellent resource for those who wish to do meditative or contemplative reading, and can be used in lectio divina (meditative reading). The reader can delve into the sections of the book and choose their reading in accord with their spiritual needs. The poems can be read vicariously and not all of them at one sitting. The poems can be used to fulfill daily nighttime reflections, followed by meditative analysis. The poems presented in this book would assist in making an interesting and applicable analysis of a prayer life both by individuals and by a prayer group.

Also from this author:

Deepening Faith Through Poetry (2008)

Thoughts for the Listening Heart (2011)

Growing Closer to God Through Poetry (2012)

Harden Not Your Hearts (2013)

Lift Up Your Hearts (2014)

Surrender in Trust (2015)

An Oblate’s Commentaries on Benedictine Spirituality (2015)