Bernard Basset (1909–1988)

British Jesuit Father Bernard Basset, noted author, lecturer, and retreat-master, discusses the problem of the "Noonday Devil" of discouragement and spiritual sloth (acedia) that is often encountered during the middle age of our lives. He captures the various aspects of this problem and offers a reasonable view of them, offering things we can do about them in order to pick up our crosses and carry them through to the finish line. Writing with a common sense practicality that is sprinkled show more with humor, Fr Basset gives us some means to not give in and give up at a very important time in our spiritual life. 160 pages. Nihil obstat and Imprimatur. show less

The "noonday devil" is the same creature that Katleen Norris confronts in her book Acedia. It is the sense of sloth, hopelessness and meaninglessness that faces many of us, even those who have been actively religious, in middle age. While some of his references and language are dated, the book (so far) offers encouragement. I am only in the third chapter.

Only for those who have tried to deal with the Noon Day Devil

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