Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
James Martin, S.J.November 25, 2014

During my retreat this year, I broke a longstanding rule. Many years ago, when I was a Jesuit novice, my first spiritual director counseled that the only books one should read during a retreat (other than those in the Bible) are lives of the saints. Other spiritual reading, he felt—particularly books on prayer—may tempt you from actually praying. There is great wisdom in that: reading about prayer is usually easier than praying.

Since then, I’ve adhered to this rule and always looked forward to reading a new saint’s life during my annual eight-day retreat. This year, however, I thought I might treat myself and enjoy some more general spiritual reading. And I was grateful that I did.

The book I brought along was the superb Sacred Fire, by Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I., which focuses on “Christian maturity.” It’s a follow-up to his wildly popular book The Holy Longing, an introduction to the spiritual life that I’ve recommended to more people than I can recall. In essence, his new book is designed for those who have moved past the “introductory” stages of Christianity and have settled down for the long haul. It is crammed with wonderful insights.

Reading Sacred Fire led me to two other fine books on the same topic, which I read after my retreat: Falling Upwards: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr, O.F.M.; and The Gift of Years: Growing Old Gracefully, by Joan Chittister, O.S.B.

Some of our more superannuated readers might smile at the idea that someone at my age, 53, is reading about aging. But some of our younger readers might think it’s completely appropriate! After all, when I look around our editorial table, I see mainly editors who are younger than I—two are in their 20s. And with the normal aches and pains that come with moving past 50, and also the sadness of seeing more than a few friends grow ill and die, mortality is on my mind.

But there’s another reason for reading these books. While all three can be fairly described as books on aging, they are nonetheless appropriate to readers at any stage of life. Because what they’re really about is not growing old, but growing up, something we all try to do.

The three authors—all religious men and women well known to Catholic audiences—approach the topic from three different angles. Each writes with a highly distinctive voice and emphasizes different points, somewhat like the writers of the Gospels. Father Rolheiser offers a systematic overview of what it means to move into Christian maturity, with an emphasis on letting go of some of the passions and problems of youth. Father Rohr’s book makes ample and creative use of both psychology and classic literary patterns (for example, the story of Odysseus). And Sister Chittister’s book is a more general overview of the joys and struggles of aging, which could be used profitably by anyone—religious or not. Let me just highlight my three favorite insights.

Father Rolheiser reminds us that an essential element in growing older is recognizing that while the passion and excitement of our youth may have waned, and “boredom, the longing for a second honeymoon, midlife crisis, misunderstanding, disillusionment” and other struggles may weigh upon us heavily, there is a deep place within us that knows that “real life depends upon staying the course.” I dog-eared that page and underlined that passage.

Father Rohr notes several times in Falling Upwards that we are often invited to move ahead without fully understanding what is happening to us, trusting in what Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J., called the “slow work of God.” Besides, if we did fully know what God was asking of us (which is usually to let go of something that keeps us unfree), we would “either try to take charge or stop the whole process.”

For me, the best aspect of Sister Chittister’s book is the series of inventive dyads she uses to address the various aspects of aging, each of which brings “blessings” and “burdens.” In the chapter entitled “Freedom,” for example, she notes that a burden of growing older is allowing stereotypes of aging to hold one back from real growth. A blessing is that aging can give one the chance to “break the bounds of a past life, and to create for myself a life more suited to what I now want to be.”

I’m sure I’ll be returning to each book frequently. Because, as hard as it is sometimes, I hope that I grow old.

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
Nancy Walton-House
9 years 3 months ago
My Aging Well Learning Community (spiritually/religiously diverse and aged 50-83) read and discussed Rohr's and Chittister's books. Members greatly appreciated both books. I will review Rolheiser's book and may recommend that one as well. Thanks for the recommendations. Spiritual and psychological wellness is very important in later life.
Anne Chapman
9 years 3 months ago
Richard Rohr, Ronald Rolheiser, and Joan Chittister are always worth reading. I have read Falling Upward and The Gift of Years, but, while having several of Rolheiser's books on my shelf, I have not read this one. I will order it. It is nice to see some recommendations for spiritual reading, rather than for academic and other kinds of books normally reviewed at America..
Margaret McIntyre
8 years 4 months ago
As a career/vocational coach/counselor, hanging on to life at age 59, I have found Richard Rohr's writings possibly the most spiritual and emotionally moving of all my life long reading. One of Rohr's unique gifts is his ability to reach 'mature" and 'youthful" audiences (Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond). Where "Everything Jesuit" gives me a link to Scripture and practical applications of Catholicism, Rohr has touched me very deeply in an emotional way. His voice is particularly focused on male spirituality, thus I recommend to my dear Catholic Chaplain friend. Father Martin, it is affirming to know you too value Rohr's work.

The latest from america

Jesuit Father Andriy Zelinskyy, coordinator of military chaplains for the Ukrainian Catholic Church, is pictured in a 2018 photo.
When reflecting on the life, death and resurrection of the Lord while living in a state of military invasion and active war, “everything becomes more authentic,” and “God ceases to be just a concept,” says Andriy Zelinskyy, S.J. “He really becomes a source of life and all hope for you and for
PreachMarch 17, 2024
One study showed Catholics donated the least amount of money of all denominations surveyed.
Kevin ClarkeMarch 15, 2024
Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera and Teresa Morris Kettlekamp will lead the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Gerard O’ConnellMarch 15, 2024
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that exemptions that allow religious organizations to avoid paying Wisconsin’s unemployment tax don’t apply to a Catholic charitable organization.