Like the First Morning: The Morning Offering as a Daily Renewal

By Michael J. Ortiz and William E. Lori

In Like the First Morning, acclaimed author and teacher Michael J. Ortiz presents both a literary and a deeply personal approach to the Morning Offering, a popular form of daily prayer practiced by millions of Catholics worldwide. The book reveals the depth of this simple devotion, showing how a daily offering up of prayers, works, joys, and sufferings renews every aspect of life, and inspires the reader to live each day with greater intentionality and joy.

Like the First Morning reflects upon the Morning Offering, a popular and beloved Catholic devotion prayed at the start of each day to consecrate the day to Christ. Michael Ortiz, a religion and English teacher and author of Swan Town, draws from theologians, popes, poets, novelists, philosophers, mystics, and saints to help readers to become more fully aware of the beauty of God’s creation and be more open to his grace.

This unique book of Catholic spirituality consists of fourteen short, lyrical chapters, each centered on a key phrase of the prayer. The fresh approach to this ancient practice will appeal to those who seek inspiration to continue this form of daily prayer, as well as those who are unfamiliar with the devotion who want to deepen their prayer life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press
• Release date: Apr 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781594715921

Michael J. Ortiz

Michael J. Ortiz teaches religion and English at The Heights School in Potomac, Maryland, where he has taught for thirty years. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Anselm College, and a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University.. Ortiz has received three grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, one of which was an independent fellowship. The Massachusetts native is the author of Swan Town: The Secret Journal of Susanna Shakespeare. Ortiz and his wife, Kathleen, have four children. They live in Washington, D.C.

Book preview