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

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata

The Basics: Born in 1562 in Italy; died December 15, 1617, in Italy; beatified September 21, 1828, by Leo XIII; feast day, December 15; wife, mother, woman religious. The Story: Maria’s life had been humming along just fine. Born into a wealthy family of nine children, she married at seventeen. Five children had been born into this… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata

On the Nightstand: March 2017

I’m so excited to read this book I can hardly stand it. First, Pat Gohn rocked my world with her book Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious, which introduced the concept of spiritual motherhood to me. She’s become a friend and a spiritual writing mentor. Second, I was “away” from the Catholic Church for most of my… Continue reading On the Nightstand: March 2017