‘Strangers to the City: Reflections on the Beliefs and Values of the Rule of Saint Benedict’
by Michael Casey OCSO
Fr Michael Casey of Tarrawarra Abbey in Australia offers his teachings on what it means to live today in the distinctive path of St. Benedict. The challenge of Gospel living, through the monastic way, counters the dominant, secular culture that surrounds and conditions us. He presents thoughtful reflections on the values of asceticism, silence, leisure, reading, chastity, and poverty, placing each of these ancient beliefs in a vibrant, contemporary context. A must-read for all those who seek to deepen their faith through the dynamics of the monastic experience.
This book is part of the A VOICE FROM THE MONASTERY series, sharing the ancient wisdom of monastic spirituality for people seeking a more contemplative life today.
‘Casey knows what Benedict is trying to say. And he knows how to apply it to the modern world.’ – Terrence Kardong, OSB
‘In Search of Paul: How Jesus’s Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom’
by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L Reed
‘This book is an equal and integrated study by a field archaeologist and a textual exegete of the word and world of the apostle Paul’
The text of this book is combined with photographs of Roman Pagan and Christian sites and architecture. For the modern reader it really is an eye-opener as to the enormous difficulty of preaching the Gospel in a world so immersed in paganism and, most especially, Emperor worship. The huge risks taken by the first Christians in accepting and trying to live with friends, neighbours and family especially, in a world so dominated by the worship of so many ‘gods’, temples, sacrifices, sacred meals etc. makes a big impression.
Paul brings a Christian perspective to all these aspects of ordinary life, as lived in Roman times. His stamina and courage inspires converts to follow the path of Christ, despite the many dangers they faced. This book needs slow reading – more maps would have been helpful – but it is readable, very interesting and, for anyone interested in architecture as well as St. Paul, very worthwhile.
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‘The Joy of God’
by Sr Mary David Totah
This is a practical and joyful invitation to see monastic life in its fullness—each chapter addresses challenges every monk and nun encounters in the cloister: growth, darkness, love, and freedom.
The Joy of God is a collection of teachings, notes, and conferences by Sr Mary David Totah, a Benedictine nun of St Cecilia’s Abbey. Enduring a painful battle with cancer, her sisters compiled her astute writings after her death. Of her, they write: “She was a great lover of life and lived it to the full; that is why she was able to get so much out of it.”
Sr Mary David describes the monastic journey as one of growth in transparency, allowing God to mould us. She writes: “For transfiguration to take place, we need to become more and more transparent before God […] since transparency does not look for glory from men but for the glory that comes from God.”
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