Divine Intimacy V1:

In trying to determine whether I wished to purchase the TAN original or the Ignatius Press four-volume revision/update, I recently checked them both out of our Archdiocesan library and examined them side by side. Here are some of my observations: (1) As has been noted, the four-volume set follows the post-Vatican II liturgical calendar while the original was obviously written using the older calendar. (2) The revision is really a revision. It is not merely reassigning Fr. Gabriel's meditations to the newer calendar. While the basic thoughts are similar, I noticed two main changes. First, the newer mediations include thoughts on the Mass readings for each particular date. That is in line with Vatican II's renewed emphasis on Scripture, but it is not straight from Fr. Gregory's pen. Second, pre-conciliar terms are "updated." For example, the Church Militant is referred to as "the pilgrim church on earth" and the Church Suffering is "those of her children who have finished with this present life and are being purified." (3) Two colloquys are given in the modern version instead of one, corresponding to the two meditations given in each version for each date. (4) I'm a high school teacher with twenty-five years' experience, and I would ballpark the reading level of the original translation at about 11th grade (the KJV is 12). The revision is closer to 9th grade (not that many modern 9th graders could read it... don't get me started). In conclusion, which version to purchase is really is a matter of personal preference. One could certainly read the original in sequence without "translating" the dates to the current calendar. There is a special section entitled "Immovable Feasts" which would occasionally anchor one to the liturgical year as we currently celebrate it. The revision is absolutely tied to the current dates and their readings and is set up accordingly. People who attend daily Mass or keep to the daily readings would be better served with the four-volume set IMHO. Then you have the issue of whether you would prefer one thick volume or four regular (not thin) ones. Please don't anguish too much over your choice, however. The real answer as to which version to purchase is the same as Billy Graham's answer to the question of which Bible translation is the best - the one you'll read.