A book that has transformed my life of faith
For the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we asked writers to choose one formative book and tell us about it.
How I learned to love Thérèse of Lisieux
At first I found the "little flower" insufferable. Then I read her unedited writing.
A day with no agenda: Time to enjoy the world
I've spent the last few months in guilty inactivity. I've discovered that the world doesn't seem to need me to improve it.
Dislocated: A household move unleashes demons
My husband and I are moving to Woodstock, near many old friends. It’s a great move. So why the interior drama?
Why I need Advent
Come to the river, wash away your sins, start a new life. Now—because something is coming.
Astonished, by Beverly Donofrio
Beverly Donofrio had just been “looking for a monastery to join, for Christ’s sake.” She had closed her laptop, having bookmarked religious communities she might write to, then had fallen into a deep sleep. During the night she was raped at knife point in her home in Mexico.
Refuge and strength: Finding peace at a monastery
I see the monastery sign and drive past. I know two monks there, and I've been grabbing at every possible lead. But I'm too ashamed to turn in.
The bovine offices: Meditation and milking
Sister Carol Bernice told me once that when she milks the cows she whispers "Yah-weh" as she alternates hands milking the teats.
Journey of light: LA’s Our Lady of the Angels
When you pray at LA's cathedral, you are part of humanity past, future and in the inglorious, unromanticized present.
Pretending the Bible: A children's ministry of play
The children from our church walked into the synagogue quietly. But
when the rabbi invited them to look at the ark containing the Torah scroll, they lost all reserve.
Pearl of great price: A girl claims her faith
On Sundays, my mother stayed home and read the paper. Yet she insisted that we kids go to church.
Teatime with my demons: Why I welcome them
I want
to arrive at the kind of equilibrium admired by the
disciples who broke down the barrier to St. Anthony's fortress. To do this, I have to befriend the demons dwelling in the cave of my heart.
The sound of silence
I was the only woman in a seminary course on negative theology. One day, a young man raised his hand and asked, “What about an ordinary housewife? How could a person like that live this life of prayer?”
Kingdom-sized desire
We're all perpetually longing for love. Fortunate are those who realize early that another human being can't meet this unrequitable need. Even more fortunate are men and women of prayer who realize that peace comes by embracing the longing itself.
Prayer-haunted
Prayers linger in choir stalls, soak into walls. Centuries of prayer can make you feel buoyant in medieval European cathedrals. Gratitude settles over you like a benediction within busy urban shrines.
Repentance: Repeat as needed
The parish liturgy committee decided to adopt the contemporary version of the Lord’s Prayer for use during worship....