cover image A HEALING WALK WITH ST. IGNATIUS: Discovering God's Presence in Difficult Times

A HEALING WALK WITH ST. IGNATIUS: Discovering God's Presence in Difficult Times

Lyn Holley Doucet, . . Loyola, $13.95 (230pp) ISBN 978-0-8294-1988-7

"How does a healing God work in the lives of wounded people?" asks Doucet, a spiritual director and retreat leader. In this book, which is not specifically geared for Lent but which would be very appropriate for Lenten usage, Doucet offers 40 short chapters about people in emotional pain whose lives have been transformed by God and the Catholic Church. Despite the title, there's actually very little of Ignatius in the early chapters, apart from brief chapter epigraphs from his writings and a short introduction about his life and work. Ignatius is more of a jumping-off place than a destination, as Doucet uses a snippet from his writing to grace someone's powerful story about divorce, illness, betrayal—and renewed hope. The later chapters seem better integrated with contemporary examples and the experiences of the 16th-century Spanish saint. Every chapter concludes with questions for journaling and reflection. (Mar.)