Media Reviews
These essays were written, we are told, at the prompting of young people interested in monastic life. Their great merit is that they will inspire both young and old, within and without the cloister. - Desmond O'Keefe
The diversity of the monastic journeys in Touched by God is testimony not only to the diversity of the monastic life as lived in the English Benedictine Congregation (EBC), but also to the diverse ways in which God calls men and women to live for God and God alone. The Way, April 2010.
Reviewed in The Downside Review, July 2009--Revd Paul Keane
Intimacies tend to be unnerving ... however ... I confess to having been totally disarmed by the opening story of Joanna Gilbert, and each subequent account brought its own unique and enjoyable flavour. Instead of my dreaded 'pray and tell' narratives, here are testaments to the warm humanity and fragility that are the stuff of the gospel and the 'locus' of grace. - Religious Life Review
Mentioned following author's column in The Tablet, 2008.
The book is a thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting read which I would whole-heartedly recomend to anyone interested in Christian spirituality. - Spirituality
Encouraging for those who need to see that their own struggles are not unusual for those who truly seek God. - Church Times
'The contributors all saw their crooked lines slowly straightened by the mercy of God. They have much to share.' Catholic Herald, March 2009
All contributions to this book are down-to-earth and sincere about the difficulties of discernment.--The Pastoral Review Volume 7 Issue 4
This book presents ten well-written and movingly honest faith journeys by members of mainly English Benedictine communities... These stories are accessible to us all. Damian McNeice, The Furrow, September 2009.
Title listed under 'Books received' in Fairacres Chronicle, Summer 2008
Reviewed in The Downside Review, July 2009--,
If you like reading autobiographies, you will certainly enjoy this book...show[s] the very human side of those called to the cloister, and it is precisely this that makes the book particularly interesting. This book makes fascinating reading, and it is difficult to put down. However, this is only part of the story. Underlying all the ten chapters we can see lives of total commitment, despite all the difficulties on the path. In this way the book is inspirational. Franciscan Vol.21, September 2009
Reviewed in The Downside Review, July 2009--Sanford Lakoff
Subtly and sensitively edited...a series of thoughtfully written accounts that serve as powerful illustrations of the role played by God's Providence in other lives, and in our own. Stanbrook News Advent 2008 --Sanford Lakoff
Touched by God is a wonderful collection of ten reflective essays that profoundly witness to God's activity in individual lives. Ten men and women from English Benedictine congregations are abundantly transparent in sharing their personal faith journeys to contemporary readers. The format of each narrative is simple and written in the first-person. The entries are personal and honest confessions of real faith and give witness to the grace of divine providence. Touched by God stands in the tradition of Maria Boulding's book called A Touch of God, which was popular some twenty-five years ago and had similar goals to our current text.... One gains a deeper understanding of monastic life from the book, but even more importantly, a greater appreciation of God's transformative spirit in every heart. This title is recommended for personal reflection and prayer. John-Leonard Berg, Catholic Library World--Sanford Lakoff Catholic Library World
'Detailed, honest, captivating and often humorous.'--Sanford Lakoff
Touched by God could be a helpful and fascinating read to those discerning whether monasticism is a path to which God is calling them...readers may be engaged by the closing essay by Andrew Nugent, prior of Ireland's Glenstal Abbey and a novelist whose lively, vivid and often humorous writing is the highlight of the collection. -Teresa Malcolm, National Catholic Reporter, February 20, 2009
This is a truly excellent book..ten beautifully -written accounts of monastic journeys This book will appeal to very many people. It is a book to buy, and one to lend to others who may be helped . ..the wisdom expressed can provide fresh food for thought and prayer Fairacres Chronicle, Winter 2008--Sanford Lakoff
Touched by God shows the diversity of ways in which specific men and women live the Benedictine life.... All 10 Benedictines show similarities in their experiences prior to entry, such as an early religious education, personal prayer, idealism and a call to surrender to God through study, service and a desire to become full human in close community living. All were inspired by the hospitality and humanness of the monks and through reading the Rule of St. Benedict in their search for personal vocation. Their stories are detailed, honest, captivating and often humorous. Sister Castelanzo, Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Catholic News Service--Sanford Lakoff Catholic News Service
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