Poetry and Meditations to Enrich Your Prayer Life

Katie Fitzgerald reviews A Cloistered Heart, a new poetry collection by Catholic Mom contributing writer Margaret Rash.  

A Cloistered Heart: Devotional Poetry & Scripture Meditations

By Margaret Rash

A Cloistered Heart is a small collection of poetry and meditations intended to be used for private prayer. It includes a mix of original poems by author Margaret Rash and short Scripture readings accompanied by steps to take to engage in the traditional practice of Lectio Divina.   

Our Faith in Poetry 

The poems in this collection reflect on a variety of aspects of our faith. Some are about Our Lord’s Passion. Others connect nature or the seasons to spiritual truths about death, grace, and peace. Some poems speak from Mary’s perspective; others emphasize the Eucharist and Jesus’s steadfastness in our lives. All are brief, vivid moments captured in carefully selected words and phrases that draw the reader closer to Christ.   

A Roadmap for Prayer  

All of the Lectio Divina readings follow the same format: read, meditate, respond, and rest. These simple steps help to make the reading of Scripture less intimidating, and they provide a roadmap for the reader’s prayer time that can be applied to any Scripture reading. These sections would be wonderful to bring to Adoration to help focus and structure prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament.   

Perfect for Busy Moms  

With its short, poignant readings, lovely but accessible imagery, and easily understood guidance for meditation, A Cloistered Heart is the perfect resource for busy, on-the-go moms. Carry this little book in your bag, and whenever you have a moment to pray, you’ll be prepared with just the right words to place you in the proper mindset and turn your attention toward God.  

Available from Amazon.com and Kindle Unlimited.

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Copyright 2025 Katie Fitzgerald
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