40-Day Journey with Joan Chittister

by Beverly Lanzetta

The 40-Day Journey with Joan Chittister introduces Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun who lives in Erie, Pennsylvania and is best known for her spiritual writing and her powerful actions for peace and justice. The 40-Day Journey series invites readers to take a personal spiritual journey with a Christian leader from the past or present. Each book begins with a short introduction to the life of the leader and then offers forty chapters, each of which includes a reading from the subject's writings, scripture selections from the Bible, a journal-writing exercise, and a prayer. Each book is a rich resource for personal meditation or small group discussion anytime, but is especially valuable during Advent or Lent.

Genres: Spirituality

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Dr. Beverly Lanzetta is a theologian, spiritual teacher, and the author of many groundbreaking books on emerging universal spirituality and new monasticism, including Radical Wisdom: A Feminist Mystical Theology, Emerging Heart: Global Spirituality And the Sacred, Nine Jewels of Night: One Soul’s Journey into God and most recently, The Monk Within: Embracing a Sacred Way of Life. Dedicated to a vision of theological openness and spiritual nonviolence, her work has won praise for its wisdom, eloquence, and mystical insight and is considered to be a major contribution to what theologian Ursula King called “a feminine mystical way for the 21st century.”

Dr. Lanzetta is also a vowed monk of peace living in the world and an interfaith chaplain. She has formed a community of new monks—single, married, partnered, celibate, etc.—dedicated to the universal mystical heart and to the spirituality of nonviolence. She has devoted much of her life to mentoring people who seek a deeper contemplative commitment and who wish to take personal monastic vows. She has taught theology at Villanova University, Prescott College, and Grinnell College.

Reviews

[Patricia Tennesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sat on my nightstand for too long. I began reading each day's post early in the morning. On day 14, she has a prayer, "Allow me, holy one, to fall into your arms." Gosh, what wonderful work.
What a beautiful message. No matter your religion, your space on this earth, you will find peace in the reflections. Why, oh why did I let this sit. I will re-read it again and again.

[Jane Buttery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book Joan Chittister has written is always thoughtful and worth not only reading, but lso reflecting upon. She has yars of experience as a leader inthe Christian world and developer of Monasteries of the Heart.

[Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using this for my lent reading and reflection. Great book to work with. I am going to use it with my congregation on Wednesday nights.