BOOK REVIEW: Breathed into Wholeness: Catholicity and Life in the Spirit

This impressive book is one of a series on “Catholicity in an Evolving Universe” pioneered by Franciscan theologian Ilia Delio. There are three parts to the book: “Exploring Catholicity from Within”, “In Search of Catholic Personhood” and “Living in the Catholicising Rhythm of the Spirit”.

Frohlich explores the theological foundations of the concept of catholicity and shares an analysis of a variety of experiences that people name as “spiritual”. Spiritual experience is the experiential face of catholicity. As Ilia Delio says: “To be Catholic is to be aware of belonging to a whole and to act according to the whole.” The Spirit is forever breathing new life in us and we are invited to breathe in and out into a deeper consciousness of the gift of life.

The book invites us to consider how we construct our sense of self. It was enlightening to note how the concepts of quantum physics offer new perspectives on what it means to be a spiritual being as “quantum reality has an intrinsic quality of mystery”.

Frohlich uses the lives and work of thinkers through the ages to illustrate her ideas. In one section she focuses on the Spirit’s “breathing in” which is experienced in human life as being drawn radically beyond ourself into communion. She uses John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart and Jan Ruusbroec’s work to build the model of human personhood developed in the book.

She also describes the movement of self-emptying and receiving oneself back ready for mission. She illustrates the concept by reflecting on Augustine, Julian of Norwich and Ignatius of Loyola. I was especially inspired by the lives of Etty Hillesum, Howard Thurman and Pope Francis whom Frohlich uses to exemplify the catholicising rhythms of the Spirit.

I recommend this book to all those wanting to explore their spirituality and seeking to deepen their awareness of the unfolding creation. It would be an excellent resource for a group embracing the new potential of creating a better world after COVID-19.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 248 May 2020