His Writings and Spiritual Vision

“Prayers that Place You in Scripture”

Not only were Father Hamm’s writings words; they were living invitations to action. Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Father Hamm’s prayers and homilies invited retreatants to enter into the Gospel narrative scenes.

Ministry and Service

“A Shepherd Across Continents”

From the role of directing the Jesuit Spirituality Center in Wernersville, PA, to serving for 25 years at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Benin City, Nigeria, the life of Father Hamm was devoted to being a guide for many retreatants.

Simplicity and Presence

“Living the Gift of Sacred Simplicity”

Father Hamm exemplified the spirit of the hymn “‘Tis a Gift to be Simple.” His humility, self-giving, and presence became the trademarks of his character.

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Several lifetimes of a priestly ministry went into making this prose, and several other lifetimes of editorial devotion were brought to bear on shaping it. Together, Fr. Robert Hamm and Fr. Dominic Totaro have created a piece of spiritual substance, a piece that will endure for years to come.

The Idea for This Book
Author
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The Idea for This Book

God's Crossfire-Love

God's Crossfire-Love started in the late 1990s when a group of God's People began discussing and praying prayers that Father Robert E. Hamm, S.J., had written for retreatants and directees. Initially, he was not interested in their publication and asked, “Nah! Who would want to use them? But his friend said, "These prayers can benefit many, many people to deepen their prayer life.

Father Hamm wrote constantly over the years, putting a dozen boxes of prayers, homilies, and reflections. These writings were carefully preserved and form the basis of this book. They are not only a sign of his love for prayer, but also a commitment he has made all his life: to lead others closer to God.

A Spiritual Method
Editor
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A Spiritual Method

Rooted in the Ignatian Tradition

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have a huge impact on Father Hamm’s writings. The way he did it was straightforward but powerful: He would get the person to “enter into the scripture” and see how God moved in their lives. He frequently used Scripture as God's direct address to the pray-er and/or as the pray-er's direct response to God.

This dialogical style brought prayer to be personal and transformative. His writings brought people to the awareness that at that moment they were experiencing something in themselves, which was a struggle, a desire, a hope, and something God was asking from them.

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"To have prayer that will immerse you in the Bible. In order to see Father Hamm’s special understanding of the Trinity."

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God's Cross Fire Love
The Book

God's Cross Fire Love

An eloquent and extensive body of religious texts that have been compiled over fifty years of priesthood ministry, comprising new Psalms, Ignatian retreat meditations, Gospel reflections, personal prayers, and great feasts homilies of the Church calendar year.

Based on Scripture and influenced by the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, the book is meant for every reader looking for inspiration in their contemplative prayer life. The voice of Fr. Hamm comes from the African mission fields of Benin City, Nigeria, through the Ignatian spiritual tradition – a voice that is personal and universal, a voice that speaks of a God of love without reserve.

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Inside the Book

A glimpse within

The book guides the reader through three great movements of the spiritual life: Scripture, the Ignatian Exercises, and the liturgical year.

Inside the Book

Scripture as Living Word

It's Scripture, not words on a page, but a conversation between God and believer that is at the heart of God's Crossfire-Love. Father Hamm frequently would take a section of scripture and make it into God's word to the pray-er, or the pray-er's word to God.

Inside the Book

The Ignatian Exercises in Practice

Father Hamm's prayers evoke a sense of being “in the scene” and are deeply inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Readers are called to imagine themselves into moments in the Gospel to experience, see, and hear Christ in their own lives.

Inside the Book

Preaches as prayerful reflections

In addition to prayers, some of Father Hamm's homilies are also included because they are prayerful and insightful. These reflections carry the retreat to the rhythm of the liturgical year, providing wisdom that brings Scripture to life.

Inside the Book

The Spiritual Life moves

In the book, these three movements are presented: Scripture, the Ignatian Exercises, and the liturgical year. One section leads to the next, taking the reader from immersion in the Word, through structured spiritual practice, to the continuous cycle of worship and celebration.

Inside the Book

The simplicity and Presence of prayer

Father Hamm’s writings embody his sacred simplicity. His prayers are full of humility, attention and emptying, and his love for the hymn “'Tis a Gift to be Simple” is evident. They're not theological papers, but invitations to encounter God.

Inside the Book

A Legacy of Love and Mercy

Compiled from twelve boxes of writings, God’s Crossfire-Love is more than a book — it is Father Hamm’s spiritual legacy. He reminds readers that they live and move in God's mercy – his vision of the Trinity as “crossfire-love”.

Inside the Book

The Ignatian Exercises in Practice

Father Hamm's prayers evoke a sense of being “in the scene” and are deeply inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Readers are called to imagine themselves into moments in the Gospel to experience, see, and hear Christ in their own lives.

Inside the Book

Preaches as prayerful reflections

In addition to prayers, some of Father Hamm's homilies are also included because they are prayerful and insightful. These reflections carry the retreat to the rhythm of the liturgical year, providing wisdom that brings Scripture to life.

Reviews Of The Book Readers

“

No prayer book that I know of is like God's Crossfire-Love. Through the way in which Father Hamm brings the reader into the scripture, prayers seem alive and personal. His insights helped me listen to God's voice in my life. This book is not for retreatants only; it's for anyone desiring to enhance their spiritual journey.

— A Guide to Deep Prayer
“

The simplicity and accessibility of Father Hamm's prayers to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius were what came as most striking to me. The homilies and prayers are humble and clearly written, but have great theological depth. They are like an invitation to sit and chat with God. A book that I go back to many times for quiet contemplation.

— Listen to and enjoy the stories of the Ignatian Way
“

Father Hamm's vision of the Trinity as God's Crossfire-Love is strong and comforting. His writing conveys the simplicity and attentiveness that he lived by. I particularly admired his homilies on how he related Scripture to the liturgical year, thus making prayer a part of daily life. This book is a gift... a gift that lives on after him.

— A Legacy of Sacred Simplicity
“

No prayer book that I know of is like God's Crossfire-Love. Through the way in which Father Hamm brings the reader into the scripture, prayers seem alive and personal. His insights helped me listen to God's voice in my life. This book is not for retreatants only; it's for anyone desiring to enhance their spiritual journey.

— A Guide to Deep Prayer
Get in Touch

Reach Fr. Robert or Fr. Dominic

If you have any questions about the book, have an idea for a speaking event, retreat, or consider editorial collaboration, we are happy to hear from you.

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Fr. Robert Hamm, S.J.
Fr. Robert Hamm, S.J. frroberthamm@gmail.com
R
Fr. Robert Hamm, S.J.
Fr. Robert Hamm, S.J. frroberthamm@gmail.com
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