March 2011

Forty Stories to Stir the Soul, by Joan Chittister OSB, Benetvision, USA.

Reviewed by Bernardine Sontrop SGS

Those who have read any of Joan Chittister’s books, know that she loves a good story and weaves them through her writings to encourage, inspire and challenge her readers to reflect and think deeply about life.

In her latest publication Joan once again shares her love of a good story by selecting 40 inspiring and challenging to engage her readers to take time each day during Lent to reflect on our personal life and response to the Gospel.

Stories are a powerful means of communicating some of life’s deeper meaning. We all know that a good story can have a significant impact on our lives. It can make us rethink things we have long held to be true. They can lead us to question our thinking and inspire us to new ways of being and doing.

Joan introduces 40 stories across a wide range of topics from a variety of sources and traditions in this thought provoking text. After each story Joan shares her personal reflections and response before introducing a relevant Scripture passage and an invitation to deeper personal reflection and response.

Joan’s 40 stories and accompanying insights, scripture texts and thoughts for personal reflection, will make a worthwhile companion for the Lenten journey for 2011.