"The prayer is the ladder to paradise,
a soul-prayer that gives relief,
a pious, lime-white, pure prayer,
a bridge for the children of Eve."
A Ladder to Paradise
is a rich treasury of prayers from the Irish oral tradition, passed down over hundreds of years, especially within Irish-speaking communities. Many of these prayers are centuries old and reflect a profound spirituality and a strong emphasis on prayerfulness.
This collection encompasses a wide range of occasions, including blessings and petitions, as well as prayers dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Mary. It features prayers for Christmas and Easter, daily life, and the saints of Ireland. The prayers convey a belief in a loving and forgiving God, with Mary depicted as a familiar and helpful intercessor. Additionally, Irish saints are often mentioned alongside renowned saints from the Roman Catholic tradition. The prayers emphasize hope and the promise of salvation.
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