Songs of Our Hearts, Meditations of Our Souls / Edited by Cecilia A Moore, C Vanessa White and Paul M Marshall SM

"In these prayers you will discover the expression, expectation and desire for a just, human, open, welcoming and inclusive society. Prayer and faith in the African American Tradition is the vibrant connection with a God who liberates."
—from the Introduction

Traditions come together in this book of prayer. The African American faith tradition, the Roman Catholic Christian tradition and the variety of forms of prayer from African peoples have framed the content of this volume. You will find liturgical prayer, prayers for families and communities, meditations and prayers of healing, inspiration, consolation, freedom and reconciliation.

CECILIA A. MOORE is assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton and at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. She teaches U.S. Catholic history, African American religious history and American religious history. Her current research is about African American conversion to Catholicism in the twentieth-century. C. VANESSA WHITE is director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program and adjunct faculty in Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is an experienced retreat facilitator and workshop presenter on lay spirituality, African American spirituality, ministry and faith formation. REV. PAUL M. MARSHALL, S.M., is rector of the University of Dayton and a member of the Society of Mary (Marianists). He is the first African American ordained for the Marianists. He served as pastor of a predominantly African American parish in Cleveland, and is a member and former president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus.