Writing the book these last few days have been slogging days. Trying to bring the reader into the seismic shifts of consciousness brought to Catholics by Vatican Council II, which means I’m into stacks of books, refreshing my mind on content. Then, the challenge to keep my book from being “bookish,” and that’s where fresh, lived experience comes in.
In a few short years I went from being a nun who relied on authorities to direct my life’s work and all I had to do was to be obedient… then the realization that the self of me had to search, to discern, and then to choose work from the needs of people. It was their suffering, their pain that enkindled my conscience, my heart and mind to respond.
Sister, your personality cannot help but ooze out of everything that you do. I have no doubt that the abundance of life that emanates from you will also pour itself into this book, and I will be one of many who will be enriched by it. I can’t wait to read it, and it will certainly be a great gift to the Church. I mean, heck, how many people can get the Vatican to change the Catechism!
Thank you for your prayers, by the way. The Provincial called me last night, and I have been accepted into the Order of Saint Augustine. As you can imagine, I am very excited. I will pray for you as you continue to work on this project, and I will anxiously await its completion. God bless you, Sister
“…then the realization that the self of me had to search, to discern, and then to choose work from the needs of people.”
Gee, Sister, if I didn’t know that you were a religious in the Roman Catholic Church, I might take you for a Quaker
)
If only we Quakers labored as faithfully and tirelessly as you!
I was privileged to hear you speak when you came to Villanova University a few months ago. I’ve been corresponding with a death row prisoner in Texas, and your talk and your book (which I’m reading now) have been great sources of strength. It’s just so hard to bear the thought that he’s likely to be executed.
Torture and death …why does each successive generation have to deal with these anew?
Peace.
–Liberata
Dear One,
It’s a grace to labor over the writing…you’ve already seen and know (though grace is sometimes hidden in heavy camouflage). One “trick” I’ve learned for sparking the process, is to begin at the end or even the middle of a segment, character description, or dialogue you’ve been slogging through.
Hope you’ll blog sometime about what works best or most reliably for you. Writing walks near dawn are favorite writing-superchargers of mine. Peace and happy un-slogging.
Gratefully (for all you do),
Diane