Some of our monks are reading and benefitting from a recently published book by the American Dominican friar Thomas Joseph White, who is currently Rector at Rome’s “Pontifical University of Saint Thomas,” the “Angelicum,” as it is popularly called, run by the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).
The book’s title is, “Contemplation and the Cross: A Catholic Introduction to the Spiritual Life,” published by The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C., 2025.
The book of 292 pages is an insightful treatise on the necessity, worth and joy of turning to God each day, who in fact, as Saint Augustine said, is nearer to us than we are to our self.
“Contemplation and the Cross” is not book to skim through, but to read slowly and maybe best only a few pages at a time, to absorb the valuable insights being offered.
Here is one quote particularly noteworthy:
“Baptism is inherently contemplative in orientation. Baptism opens the mind to the contemplative horizon of eternity and life in the Trinity. Even in the simple darkness of faith, it is the eternal Father who awaits the soul, and it is the eternal Word who enlightens the mind. It is the Holy Spirit who inflames the heart with hope and love as the living flame of love burning within us in the core and center of our being” (page 45).
The book is available from Amazon.
Greetings and prayers.
Abbot Christian and the monks
