resources

RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
The Resource of the Month will be a regular feature on the Good Samaritan Website. Its purpose will be to introduce new resources relevant to Good Samaritan Benedictine spirituality and way of life to our readers. If you would like to recommend a book, article, film or website please forward a 250 word review to Sr Bernardina Sontrop bsontrop@goodsams.org.au  

 

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25 Windows into the Soul – Praying with the Psalms
Joan Chittister OSB, 2007, Benetvision USA.

In Twenty-five Windows to the Soul, Sister Joan Chittister speaks directly to our hearts as she writes on the Rule of Benedict for our everyday living. As the name suggests, there are twenty-five windows to reflect on in this beautifully presented book. In each of the windows there are seven aspects, to contemplate. Readers choose to allow the words and meanings of each aspect to wash over them while pondering a deeper, personal meaning into the scripture reading provided.
In the Benedictine way of praying, Lectio Divina, there are many opportunities for the senses to be revived and stimulated. Each window begins with a Psalm verse which we are guided to pray over and over again throughout the day until it comes without effort. Sister Joan links the psalm with thought provoking reflections on a range of topics including psychological, historical and personal dimensions.

Under the heading of ‘Soul Points’ where very poignant questions are presented for discernment, we are challenged by social justice issues and mercy for ourselves and others.

For those of us who are more visual we can move to the next aspect of this window as we are invited to reflect on the Psalm through beautiful photographs contributed by a number of Benedictine Sisters. The window finishes with a story, wisdom notes and an opportunity to write one’s own personal thoughts.

Whether one chooses to approach each window in one sitting or to reflect over the course of the week, we are given ample opportunities to discern what Jesus’ message is for us. I personally prefer sitting with the process over the week to really live and breathe the psalm and message at a deeper level.

Each window comes to a conclusion by linking our feelings and thoughts, and by getting into ‘action’ with practical suggestions. Sister Joan gracefully combines prayer and action - whether it is physical or an internal change of heart. That will be discovered as the Spirit moves within us and as we listen with the ear of our hearts.

 

Margaret Pirotta – Oblate of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan

 

 

archives - Book Reviews

Esther De Waal, Lost in Wonder, Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness
- Click Here

Norvene Vest, Gathered in the Word: Praying the Scripture in Small Groups
- Click Here

FINDING SANCTUARY - Monastic Steps for Every day Life by Christopher Jamison, Abbot of Worth Abbey. 2006, Weidenfield and Nicolson. UK.
- Click Here

 

Resource and Reading List

The Rule of St Benedict
Fry, T., RB80 In Latin and English, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1981

General Commentaries
Chittister, J., Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, San Francisco: Harper, 1991
- The Rule Of St Benedict: Insight for the Ages, New York: Crossroads, 1997
-In the Heart of the Temple, New York: Bluebridge, 2005
- 25 Windows into the Soul. Praying with the Psalms Benetvision 2007
De Waal, E., Seeking God: The Way of St Benedict, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1984, 2001
- A Life Giving Way, London: Geoffry Chapman, 1995
Drumm, D., Cherish Christ Above All, New York: Paulist Press, 1996
Holyhead, V., The Gift of St Benedict, Melbourne: John Garrett, 1995
Marrett-Crosby, A.,The Benedictine Handbook, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2002
Norris, K., The Cloister Walk, New York: Riverhead Books, 1997
Swan, Laura Engaging Benedict. What the Rule can Teach us Today Indiana, Ave Maria Press 2005
Swan, Laura (ed) The Benedictine Tradition. Spirituality in History. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press 2007
Tomaine, J., St Bendict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living, USA: Morehouse, 2005
Vest, N., Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary on Rule of St Benedict, USA: Morehouse, 2004

On Prayer
Casey, M., The Art of Sacred Reading, Melbourne: Harper Collins, 1995
Merton, T., Seven Story Mountain, Harcourt- Brace, Javanovich, 1978
- New Seeds of Contemplation, New Directions, 1972
More Information on Thomas Merton is available at www.merton.org
Pennington, B., Lectio Divina: Reviewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures, New York: Crossroads, 1998

On The Sisters of the Good Samaritan
Walsh, M., The Good Sams: The Sisters of the Good Samaritan, 1857-1969, Melbourne: John Garratt, 2001
Heininger, J (ed)., Journey to the Heart: Mater Dei, 50 Years and 50 Stories, Sydney: Sisters of the Good Samaritan, 2007

PRAYER SITES
http://www.taize.fr/en
http://www.ChristianMystics.com
http://www.pray.com.au
http://www.clubi.ie/shalom/lectio
http://www.wellsprings.org.uk
http://prayerwindows.com
http://www.humilitymatters.com
http://churchresources.info/pray
http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org

BENEDICTINE MONASTERIES
http://www.christdesert.org
http://www.bedegriffiths.com
http://www.benetvision.org
http://www.osb.org
http://www.stgertrudes.org/index.htm
http://www.thedome.org
http://www.jamberooabbey.org.au
http://www.benedictinesisters.org
http://www.walburga.org
http://www.eriebenedictines.org
http://www.usccb.org