by Joan Chittister. Published by Twenty-Third Publications, 2021. (NZD 24.95). Reviewed by Julie Randall

Joan Chittister’s 365 reflections on life, loss, healing and joy certainly offers the reader “grace-filled moments”. In early January I was looking for a resource to dip into for daily reflection and this little book arrived to serve that purpose.

The book is structured in months with an entry for each day on themes such as joy, prayer, protest and ecology. As well as her own reflections and observations, Joan also includes a sprinkling of quotes from sages and saints down through the ages. I found each page was packed with distilled wisdom.

The challenge of this book is to make that personal commitment each day to take up silence — to set aside quiet time for reflection and reconnection. Silence, Joan insists, is the antidote to the chaos and busyness of modern life — in the words of Thomas Merton: “A way of resting in the One whom we have found, who loves us, who is near to us, who comes to us.”

This book is full of hope, inspiration, good advice and it will appeal to a wide range of people. On a practical note I found the smaller size of the book and larger-than-usual text very helpful. 

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 269 April 2022: 19