Seeds of Faith: Practices to Grow a Healthy Spiritual Life

Langford taps into a renewed interest in such practices as solitude, meditation and spiritual direction in this handbook, which employs a gardening theme. Grouping the practices into three metaphorical parts—seeds, roots and branches—the author and director of communications for the Chicago Province of the Jesuits elaborates on tools that, he writes, “help prepare the soil of our lives to receive and nurture God's seeds of faith.” Langford calls this “soul gardening,” a term employed by a friend who is a minister and gardener. In assembling this guide, Langford quotes extensively from other writers such as Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline ), but he also writes as one who is familiar with the practices he explains. For example, he tells about how he has used a spiritual director, and in the chapter on walking with the saints, he shares a moving story about praying in the cave in Spain where St. Ignatius went to discern his life's direction. Besides writing about various practices, Langford includes a list of reflective questions and things to do at the end of each chapter that may be especially helpful for groups reading the book together. (Mar.)