IN THE HEART OF THE TEMPLE: My Spiritual Vision for Today's World

Chittister, a Benedictine nun from the vanguard of the Catholic reform movement, imparts her hopes and dreams of a better life for all in this collection of previously presented and published lectures and essays. Holding forth under such headings as stewardship, prophecy, equality and discipleship, Chittister elucidates her worldview, quoting Jonathan Edwards, who said, "Saints do not see things others do not see. On the contrary. They see just what everyone else sees—but they see it differently." Chittister's ideas line up neatly with the progressive wing of her church and offer few surprises. A consistent theme is her lament of Catholicism's treatment of women, along with its perceived retrenchment in the years since the Second Vatican Council. Throughout, she worries about the impact of capitalism, the future of the environment, the plight of the poor and the dominance of men. Although she articulates her concerns beautifully and ethereally, Chittister often falls short when it comes to practical solutions. She provides more substantial answers when writing about contemplation, simplicity and Sabbath-keeping, offering her Benedictine religious community's way of life as an antidote to the frenetic pace of modern living. Readers who share her vision and seek to rekindle the spirit of the 1960s will be delighted to read what she has to say. (Oct. 29)