Michael Downey

Right off I want to comment that the book is well written and shows the proper respect to the community. The photos are outstanding and the quotes appropriate. This beautiful book seeks to express the spirit of monasticism through an examination of one Trappist (Cistercian) monastery, Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina. And it does just that.

The book is written in two main sections. In the first part the author takes us on a tour of the Monks at Mepkin. We see their history and the present life show more within the community. It shows us a glimpse of a vibrant community that is both living the ancient life of monastic practices and have blended it with the world of today in such a way as to take nothing away from the former.

As we read the second section of the book we see it focus on the monk himself. What is it that makes up a life of a Trappist monk? His work, prayer, worship, sacred reading; as well as how they blend a life of community, solitude and true Christ like hospitality.

This book was not written to explain the monks nor the monastery, but to allow us a glimpse of what it is to see through the eyes of these monks. We have the opportunity to learn while reading this book that that there is a universal call to holiness to be found in each and everyone of us. show less

This poetic book on the Trinity offers reflections on the inter-personal dimensions of God and spells out the implications for spiritual life. While recent studies on the Trinity converge on the profoundly relational character of the mystery, less attention has been given to the way in which language of the Trinity speaks to the deepest desires of the human heart, the region of wound and wisdom wherein we long for loving communion with God and others.

Michael Downey shows us that the doctrine show more of the Trinity is a grammar by which Christians speak of the ineffable mystery of God's constant, eternal giving as gift. By accepting this gift we participate in the divine life. show less

Carmelite Ruth Burrows has written: "For many years I was to struggle with a subtle problem which I now can describe as that between God and the paraphernalia of God." This talk from a workshop session focuses on this "struggle" in the life of prayer, seeing in the mystery of Christ's self-emptying (kenosis) the key to living out the struggle in a spirit of poised spiritual liberty. How do we consent to the kenosis, not only in the life of Christ, but in our own lives?

The sacraments are presented here as ways for the Christian to integrate the church's grace into their lives by emphasizing human relationships through conversion of heart. Ministry should be to a community, and decision making is a moral activity. A student friendly book. Notes and Bibliography.