Gilbert Shuldham Shaw (10 July 1886 in Dublin â 18 August 1967 in Convent of the Incarnation, Fairacres, Oxford) was an Anglo-Irish Church of England priest, from 1940 vicar of St Anne's Soho. His maternal grandfather was Sir Philip Crampton Smyly, honorary physician to Queen Victoria, and he was baptised by his mother's uncle, William Conyngham Plunket, archbishop of Dublin. He was closely associated with the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God from 1962 until his death. He was the author of numerous works on spirituality and books of prayers.
He was one of the regular members of âÂÂThe MootâÂÂ, a Christian think-tank convened by J H Oldham, concentrating on the problem of post-war reconstruction, at weekend residential meetings several times a year. The most regular members were John Baillie, Fred Clarke, T. S. Eliot, Eric Fenn, Herbert Arthur Hodges, Eleonora Iredale, Karl Mannheim, Walter Moberly, John Middleton Murry, Mary Oldham and Alec Vidler. Stefan Collini sums up the discussions as bearing "in one way or another, on the issue of cultural leadership in a modern society".
With Patrick McLaughlin, he is thought to be part of the inspiration for the character of Father Hugh Chantry-Pigg in Rose Macaulay's The Towers of Trebizond.
Publications by Gilbert Shaw
Articles in journals (by date):
- âÂÂThe Importance of the Canon on ExorcismâÂÂ, St Raphael Quarterly [from 1965: Chrism], 4/5 (1928), 2.
- âÂÂExorcism and the Ministry of HealingâÂÂ, St Raphael Quarterly, 4/6 (1928), 6.
- âÂÂExorcism: Its ApplicationâÂÂ, St Raphael Quarterly, 4/7 (1928), 12.
- âÂÂExorcism: Its OccasionsâÂÂ, St Raphael Quarterly, 4/8 (1928), 21.
- âÂÂThe New EvangelismâÂÂ, London Diocesan Chronicle, (August 1935).
- âÂÂPeace Through Sufferingâ Platform, (Feb 1937).
- âÂÂFirst AidâÂÂ, Christendom: A Journal of Christian Sociology, (1937)
- âÂÂPrayer and TheologyâÂÂ, Theology, 38/228 (Jun 1, 1939), 418âÂÂ28.
- âÂÂWatchman what of the NightâÂÂ, Waterloo Bridge (1939).
- âÂÂThe Great ChurchâÂÂ, Theology, 44/259 (Jan 1, 1942), 31âÂÂ43.
- âÂÂThe ChurchâÂÂs Unity and Total ClaimâÂÂ, in On Earth Peace: A Symposium by Communicants of the Church of England, ed. Percy Hartill (James Clarke, 1944).
- âÂÂThe Church and the Coming of the KingdomâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 4/2 (June 1971), 23âÂÂ6.
- âÂÂResponse to the Spirit: Father Gilbert with the nuns at Fairacres, December 1962âÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 19/2 (Summer 1986), 11âÂÂ21.
- âÂÂA New Beginning: our Lady's Place in the Scheme of RedemptionâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 19/3 (Winter 1986), 16âÂÂ23.
- âÂÂFr GilbertâÂÂs Last Homilyâ Fairacres Chronicle, 40/1 (Summer 2007) [reproduced several times in later issues].
- âÂÂCitadels and LighthousesâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 49/1 (Summer 2016), 19âÂÂ24.
Books and pamphlets (by title):
- A Few Suggestions for Consideration on The Lord's Prayer as the Pattern of All Prayer from the Standpoint of Reparation, One Tradition Series 17 (CSWG Press, 1992) 8pp.
- A Pilgrim's Book of Prayers (Mowbray, 1945, 1960) 156pp.; (Oxford: SLG Press, 1972, 1979) iv, 132pp.; New edition (Oxford: SLG Press, 1992), xxvi, 132pp.
- A Prophetic View of Our Times: A Century of Excerpts from the Writings of Father Gilbert Shaw 1886-1967 Priest and Prophet for Our Times, One Tradition Series 14 (CSWG Press, 1987), 25pp.
- Angels and Demons In Human Life (Faith Press for the Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius, 1955, repr. CSWG Press, One Tradition Series 8, 1982).
- Christian Prayer: A Way of Progress (SLG Press, 1970, 1973, 1977), vii, 30pp.
- Creation and Re-Creation: An Approach To Prayer (SLG Press, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1983), 27pp.
- Death: The Gateway To Life (SLG Press, 1971, 1975, 2024).
- For Quiet Times (Association for Promoting Retreats, 1920).
- For Times of Recreation. Notes for Use During Private and Corporate Silent Times (Association for Promoting Retreats, 1931):
- â No. 1: The Love of God: For use during private and corporate silent times.
- â No. 2: Meditations on the Way of the Cross, Specially adapted for use in Holy Week (Stations of the Cross)
- â No. 3: The Way to Calvary
- â No. 4: In the Shadow of the Cross: A Meditation on the Seven Words of Calvary
- Glastonbury Series of Short Prayers (Faith Press, n.d.):
- â No. 1 The Increase of Prayer
- â No. 2 Joy in God
- â No. 3 The Unity of Trinity
- â No. 4 The Fellowship of Prayer
- âÂÂâ Published under a single cover as The Glastonbury Series of Short Prayers (Faith Press, 1959).
- Introductory Notes To the Study of Devotional Literature (Association for Promoting Retreats/Mowbray, 1928).
- Joy in God (Faith Press, 1959).
- Meditations for Holy Week: An Open Retreat (Association for Promoting Retreats, 1930).
- Our Lady at Mount Calvary (n.p. 1931)
- Prayer, Fairacres Leaflet no. 8 (SLG Press, [1971])
- Prayer and the Life of Reconciliation, Fairacres Leaflet 1 (SLG Press, 1969, 2001), 5pp.
- Prayer: Extracts from the Teaching of Father Gilbert Shaw (SLG Press, 1971, 1973).
- Prayers and Meditations for the Lovers of Jesus. Founded on the Early English Treatise âÂÂA Talkynge of the Love of Godâ (Mowbray, 1927), 16pp.
- Preface by Gilbert Shaw in: Harry Lovett Hubbard, As the Incense: Chapters On Prayer and the Spiritual Life (Mowbray, 1931), xi, 83pp.
- Rhythmic Prayers (SLG Press, 1968, 2nd edn 1973, 1976, 1980), 30pp.
- Seeds of Love: Being the Glastonbury Series of Short Prayers, ed. and rev. Sister Edna Monica (SLG Press, Revised edn 1978), ii, 37pp.
- Sitio: I Thirst: The Prayer of Intercession (SLG Press, 2nd edn 1970, 1976), 83pp.
- Some Notes On Terminology, to Serve as an Introduction to the Study of Spiritual Writings. Prepared for the Use of a School of Prayer (Mowbray, 1927), 24pp.
- The Burgh Booklet [Prayers and Meditations written at St PaulâÂÂs Missionary College, Burgh, Lincs. The pamphlets focused on Anglo-Catholic themes, mission theology, and training.] (Mowbray, 1924âÂÂ1927).
- â No. 1: A PilgrimâÂÂs Chapbook I: Worship ,Thanksgiving, Intercession
- â No. 2: To Calvary: A Meditation
- â No. 3: Prayers for the Quiet Hour I
- â No. 4: Prayers for the Quiet Hour II
- â No. 5: A PilgrimâÂÂs Chapbook II The Pattern of the Master
- â No. 6: Short Prayers from the Psalter
- âÂÂâ Published under a single binding usually called A PilgrimâÂÂs Chapbook (Mowbray, 1965).
- The Christian Hope: A Rhythmic Meditation, Fairacres Leaflet 3 (SLG Press, c. 1969)
- The Christian Solitary (SLG Press, 1971, 1975, rev. edn 1979, 1984, 2003, 2012), iii, 15pp.
- The Face of Love: A Devotion On the Fourteen Stations of the Cross (Mowbray, 1959), 247pp.; Rev. edn, The Face of *Love: Meditations on the Way of the Cross (SLG Press, 1977), xxi, 125pp.
- The Fellowship of Prayer (Faith Press, 1959).
- The Increase of Prayer (Faith Press, 1959; rev. CSWG Press, 2000); German trans. Bernhard R. Kraus, Waltraud Leidig-Walther, Wachsen im Gebet: Hilfen zur Kontemplation anhand der Sendschreiben (Johannes-Verlag; KSM, Katholische Schriften-Mission, Leutesdorf, Leutesdorf, 2002).
- The Priesthood: An Address to a Group of Priests, One Tradition Series 18 (CSWG Press, 1992), 12pp.
- The Spiritual Life: The True Foundation of the Social Order (Industrial Christian Fellowship, Westminster, 1935).
- The Unity of Trinity (Faith Press, 1959).
- with W F Adams, Triumphant In Suffering: A Study in Reparation (Mowbray, 1951), 64pp., [1] leaf of plates.
- Wayfaring: Poems (SLG Press, 1968).
- Words of Wisdom from Father Gilbert Shaw, compiled by Freda Collins (J R Books, 1986), 108pp.*
References
Further reading
- Prof Herbert and Mrs Vera Hodges, âÂÂThe Revd Gilbert ShawâÂÂ, Sobornost V/6 (Winter-Spring, 1967), 451âÂÂ4.
- The Warden, Bede House, Oblate Ann SLG, âÂÂFather Gilbert Shawâ Church Times, 25 August 1967, 13.
- Dom Robert Petitpierre OSB, âÂÂThe Rev Gilbert Shawâ The Times 1 Sept 1967, reprinted in Fairacres Chronicle, 1/2 (December 1967), 6âÂÂ7.
- Fr Robert, Founder, CSWG, âÂÂFrom Father Robert, Found, C.S.W.G.âÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 1/2 (December 1967), 7.
- Pro-Prior, CSWG, âÂÂGilbert: Prophet : ReconcilerâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 1/2 (December 1967), 8âÂÂ12.
- Warden, Bede House, âÂÂFrom the Warden, Bede HouseâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 1/2 (December 1967), 13âÂÂ20.
- Donald Allchin et. al., Gilbert the Priest: A Thankful Tribute, SLG leaflets (1967âÂÂ8)
- Rod Hacking, âÂÂGilbert Shaw (1886-1967)âÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 19/2 (Summer 1986), 6âÂÂ10.
- Sister Barbara June SLG, âÂÂA Wealthy PlaceâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 19/2 (Summer 1986), 22âÂÂ5.
- Norry McCurry, âÂÂFaith in the East EndâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 19/2 (Summer 1986), 26âÂÂ34.
- Rod Hacking, Such a Long Journey: A Biography of Gilbert Shaw, Priest (Mowbray, 1988), ix, 148pp., [4]pp. of plates.
- Fr Gregory CSWG, Father Gilbert Shaw: A Commemorative Number for the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of His Death, CSWG One Tradition Series, 20 (CSWG Press, 1993), 12pp.
- Fr Gregory CSWG, Fr Gilbert Shaw (1886âÂÂ1967) A Memoir (A Further Study), CSWG One Tradition Series, 22 (CSWG Press, 2001), 12pp.
- Sister Isabel Mary SLG, âÂÂGilbert Shaw: A Teacher of Prayer in the Twentieth CenturyâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 35/1 (Spring 2002), 27âÂÂ41.
- Barbara Tabach, An Interview With Gilbert Shaw: An Oral History, Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project (University of Nevada, Las Vegas Oral History Research Center, 2014).
- Sister Clare-Louise SLG, âÂÂIntroductory Remarks To Gilbert Shaw Study DayâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 50/2 (Winter 2017), 10âÂÂ11.
- Father Peter CSWG, âÂÂFather GilbertâÂÂs TeachingâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 50/2 (Winter 2017), 12âÂÂ14.
- Father Colin CSWG, âÂÂHolinessâÂÂ, Fairacres Chronicle, 50/2 (Winter 2017), 15âÂÂ20.
- Mother Helena, âÂÂFather Gilbert and the Orthodox Traditionâ Fairacres Chronicle, 50/2 (Winter 2017), 21âÂÂ39.
External links