Awakenings: Prophetic Reflections - by Joan Chittister (Paperback)

About the Book

"Selected essays by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, on themes of women in the church, spirituality, and the Benedictine vision"--

Book Synopsis

Joan Chittister is one of the most popular and influential spiritual writers today. Apart from her scores of bestselling books and articles, she has contributed essays to dozens of other books. Collected here are two dozen of her best and most representative pieces, covering three essential themes: Women in the Church, Seeds of a New Spirituality, and the Monastic Vision. Together they provide a guide to her essential, and prophetic wisdom.

From the Back Cover

US$26.00

RELIGION / Spirituality
RELIGION / Monasticism
RELIGION / Christianity / Catholic

AWAKENINGS Prophetic Reflections

Joan Chittister Edited by Mary Lou Kownacki and Mary Hembrow Snyder

Foreword by Tom Roberts

Cover design: Regina Gelfer

ISBN 978-1-62698-464-6

ORBIS LOGO

Review Quotes

"Sr. Joan Chittister embodies the triumph of hope over discouragement. A brave act of witness by a modern Doctor of the Church, this eloquent record of a long and faithful life is more needed now than ever."--James Carroll, author, The Truth at the Heart of the Lie

"Awakenings is a story of integration, that of a prophetic woman ever seeking liberating justice for her church and her world, animated by the empowering wisdom of the Benedictine monastic tradition. This book interweaves three musical chords--the presence of God, the call to spiritual insight, and the rejection of sexism--that have sustained Joan through her long and inspiring life. No doubt, they will also sustain and empower all who draw on this rich legacy."--Diarmuid O'Murchu, author, Doing Theology in an Evolutionary Way

"Like Hildegard of Bingen, Joan Chittister dissents by 'daring to be herself.' Her 'awakenings' depict a devoted advocate for the Divine Feminine, who urges us to move beyond compliance and conformity, listening to the voice of God within us, awake to everything and everyone around us, to forge our own nonviolent spiritual paths transforming the fruits of our contemplation into hospitable action."--Patrick Henry, professor emeritus Whitman College

Joan Chittister, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA, is a prophetic voice, a prolific writer and powerful speaker who has untiringly championed the presence of God, the call to spiritual insight and the rejection of sexism in the church all through her religious life. The editors have collected various characteristic writings of hers in the 25 chapters that go to make up this three-part book and which are prefaced by an Introduction by Tom Roberts, a former editor of The National Catholic Reporter. Some of the issues that Sr. Joan has been unceasingly raising (cf. Part I of the book) have been partially answered because some sisters and lay women have shattered the glass ceiling of the Vatican dicasteries and Diocesan chanceries and have been appointed to positions that had been exclusively male preserves in the past. Nevertheless much has still to be done to reverse patriarchy and sexism in the church. Parts II and III of the book take up questions of spirituality and the Benedictine vision and spirit. In my opinion, Sr. Joan is at her best when dealing with these questions, for she has her ear to the ground and is at the same time tuned in very delicately to the divine. Writing about the Rule of St. Benedict she says: "Written in a period of social collapse [, ] on the brink of what historians call AD 536, the worst year ever to the western world, the Rule of Benedict becomes then a model of justice, a beacon of equality, a sign of peace between strangers which we, now, must rekindle in every age." (p. xiv). Reading her thoughts and reflections makes one stop, ponder and ask questions about God, self, world, the call of Christ, our place, our future and a host of other vital matters that impinge deeply on our life.-- Peter B. Lobo, OP

About the Author

Joan Chittister, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA, is one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time. She is the author of over 60 books, including (with Orbis) The Way of the Cross, A Passion for Life, There is a Season, The Way We Were, and Illuminated Life.

Mary Lou Kownacki, also a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, is the former executive director of the Alliance for International Monasticism, USA. In 2006 she was honored by Pax Christi USA as their Pope Paul VI Teacher of Peace.

Mary Hembrow Snyder is professor emerita of Catholic Theology & Religious Studies who taught at Mercyhurst University for over three decades. She edited Spiritual Questions for the Twenty-First Century: Essays in Honor of Joan D. Chittister and co-edited Joan Chittister: Essential Writings with Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB. Dr. Snyder is also an Erie Benedictine Oblate.