The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
by Joan Chittister
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Book Summary Information
Author: Joan ChittisterEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-01
ISBN: 1933346108
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Bluebridge
Book Reviews of The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
Book Review: Rev. Father Greeley calls this "a book only for those of us who grow older every day."
Summary: 5 Stars
and the Reverend Father Greeley's astute and prophetically outspoken judgment proves itself still further in his own title A Stupid, Unjust, and Criminal War: Iraq, 2001-2007.
The ever astute and learned and Reverend Father Richard McBrien of Notre Dame University, author of the authoritative and definitive tome Catholicism: New Study Edition--Completely Revised and Updated as well as editor of the sweepingly comprehensive and essential reference work, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism calls this new book "a series of thought-provoking meditations not just on 'growing older gracefully,' but on the meaning of life itself. ( . . .) rich in wisdom ( . . .) and a carefully cultivated spirituality."
The courageous and prophetic Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account Of The Death Penalty In The United States, who so strongly calls us back from the sin of capital punishment and towards a total pro-life ethic, writes that this book "brims with insight, pluck, verve and courage - and trust ( . . .) and encourages us to discover the deep spiritual meaning that can come with older age."
The Reverend Father Richard Rohr, respected for, among many others, his Why Be Catholic?: Understanding Our Experience and Tradition and Jesus' Plan for a New World: The Sermon on the Mount, writes, "Perhaps you have to be in second half of life to know how truthfully and helpfully Joan Chittister speaks. We live in a first-half-of-life culture, which makes this wisdom all the more necessary - and all the more wonderful."
Those of other callings alongside this Holy Roman Catholic Church also draw gratefully from her deep and wholesome well of wisdom. Seyyed Hossein Nasr of The Garden of Truth: The Vision and Promise of Sufism, Islam's Mystical Tradition writes, "Through numerous insights, she invites us to realize that old age is not a drawing away from a fulfilling life, but a new life unto itself, a life which if lived well will draw us ever closer to the Source of all life."
And Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkum Magazine, calls this book "an amazing compendium of wisdom not only for people facing aging or providing support, but for everyone who wants to live a spiritually centered and balanced life." Lerner calls Chittister "a jewel whose work as a spiritual progressive addresses people of every faith and none(,) with a depth and brilliance that startles and delights."
In noting this admiration and appreciation by esteemed scholars of the Jewish and Muslim traditions, we who know Sister Joan well remember her as the Christian contributer to the landmark tripartite work The Tent of Abraham: Stories of Hope and Peace for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
The two hundred and twenty five closely printed pages of this spiritual treatise provide a keenly Catholic and Benedictine perspective on our process of living in pilgrimage. In fact her acknowledgment cites several fellow Benedictines who assisted not only with the physical preparation of this thick volume, but also the several readers and consultants who assisted and directed the orthodox development and deepening of its text.
This text is divided into over forty chapters bearing one word titles of different aspects of the spiritual essence of aging, beginning with conquering our Regret. We find similar strengthening chapters confronting the harder side of aging throughout, including facing fear, ageism, sadness, nostalgia and loneliness. We also find comforting chapters opening to our hearts more joyful mysteries of aging including solitude (the sweeter sister of loneliness), joy, meaning, newness, possibility, fulfillment, relationships, dreams, wisdom, forgiveness, outreach, agelessness, productivity, etc., etc., etc.
Thus it is impossible to select here for your careful consideration an adequate sampling of citations from this rich and profound theological work, the theology of aging. Throughout, her work is itself peppered and informed with brilliant citations of great spiritual writers, such as this opening to the chapter on Tale-telling: "'For the unlearned,' the Hasidim say, 'old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of harvest.' (p. 85)"
Let us therefore learn with this great and sacred and prophetic text to become learned, and wise, and humbled, and to find peace with acceptance and forgiveness. Let us learn here holding closely the wise and gentle and strong, steady, certain hand of Sister Joan to harvest the rich wealth of our aging, and turn our healthy, wholesome crops to the benefit of all those who follow.
An important book for all "of us who grow older every day" to read today, right now and thereby to prepare ourselves in wisdom and truth, in love and in peace, for all that comes forth in our future life.
Please see also by the author such well known works as Mary, wellspring of peace: Contemporary novena for peacemakers : Scripture reflections, In Pursuit of Peace: Praying the Rosary Through the Psalms, and Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today
As for myself, I have already sent my only and early copy to my mother for Mother's Day, and must acquire another, or a few more, for other friends and family who have received or will somehow acquire this great gift of years, as an owner's manual for our lonesome pilgrimage along this long road.
Summary of The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
Not only accepting but also celebrating getting old, this inspirational and illuminating work looks at the many facets of the aging process, from purposes and challenges to struggles and surprises. Central throughout is a call to cherish the blessing of aging as a natural part of life that is active, productive, and deeply rewarding. Perhaps the most important dimension revealed lies in the awareness that there is a purpose to aging and intention built into every stage of life. Chittister reflects on many key issues, including the temptation towards isolation, the need to stay involved, the importance of health and well-being, what happens when old relationships end or shift, the fear of tomorrow, and the mystery of forever. Readers are encouraged to surmount their fears of getting older and find beauty in aging well.
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