Description: A book that shows how ancient wisdom brings powerful, piercing clarity to modern life from one of our times' most-read spiritual writers.
Brief description: Erik Varden is a monk and bishop. Norwegian by birth, he studied at Cambridge and in Rome. Having served as abbot of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, he was appointed to the ancient see of Trondheim in 2019. His books are read throughout the world. With Bloomsbury Continuum he has previously published The Shattering of Loneliness, Entering the Twofold Mystery, Chastity, and Healing Wounds.
Review Quotes:
"The richness of [these] reflections will continue for a long time to be for us a source of blessing, of grace, of encounter with Jesus Christ." --Pope Leo XIV
"It was a wise papal decision, as there are very few Catholics who can break open the riches of biblical faith like Bishop Varden, whose command of sources ranging from literature and music to theology, philosophy, and the lives of the saints is amazing. That he writes in a crystalline prose accessible to all makes this small book, composed of Varden's papal retreat conferences, a spiritual feast" --Catholic World Report "This book makes for good spiritual reading for clergy and religious, seminarians and novices, as well as the faithful at large. Such a spiritual text rewards slow reading punctuated by introspection and prayer rather than rushed completion. This Cistercian-flavored retreat is a valuable aid in the arduous journey of continuing conversion." --Homiletic & Pastoral Review