On the Nightstand: Finding God in Ordinary Time

I’ve always had a thing for Ordinary Time–in theory. For Catholics, it’s the time outside the major liturgical seasons such as Lent, Easter, Advent, and so on, the the time when weeks are numbered (ordinal). It would seem that outside of those busy seasons, there’s more time for God. Except, of course, there’s always an… Continue reading On the Nightstand: Finding God in Ordinary Time

On the Nightstand: The Benedict Option

A while back, I read two Rod Dreher memoirs of a sort: The Little Way of Ruthie Leming and How Dante Can Save Your Life. Loved them both, and enjoy reading his thoughtful essays, even when we’re not 100 percent in agreement. I’m excited about reading The Benedict Option because it promises a path to… Continue reading On the Nightstand: The Benedict Option

On the Nightstand: Steps to Spiritual Perfection

While at the Holy Cross Abbey retreat center in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, I ask Monk A if he’s ever heard of Evagrius, whose writings I keep seeing referenced in stuff I’m reading. Eagerly, he says yes and that Evagrius (unlike me, he pronounces it correctly, ee-VAY-gree-us), a fourth-century Desert Father, is featured in a chapter… Continue reading On the Nightstand: Steps to Spiritual Perfection

On the Nightstand: The Great Magdalens

Talk about being led into temptation! A couple of publishers had big sales in the past couple of weeks and, well, what’s a girl to do? Yes, these eight books are all now on my nightstand. I’ll be starting with The Great Magdalens: Famous Women Who Returned to God after Lives of Sin. The table… Continue reading On the Nightstand: The Great Magdalens