A Tree Full of Angels: Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary

by Macrina Wiederkehr

The Benedictine tradition and practice of divine reading made accessible for everyone.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Catholic, Prayer, Christianity

158 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

About the author

Macrina Wiederkehr is an author and spiritual guide and a Benedictine monastic of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She travels throughout the US and Canada as a retreat director. In her retreats seekers are guided through experiences of silence, contemplation, and faith sharing.

Reviews

[Camille Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightful. It’s got practical lessons, beautiful prose, striking imagery, and convictions one after another. Everything you could want in a book, and to think that Macrina was able to keep it as brief as she did is a formidable feat. The lady is a fire cracker!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because of the image of a treeful of angels, and it didn't disappoint me. It's filled with many poetic imagages, reflections, poems and stories of her experiences of the holy in her ordinary everyday life. A quote from Etty Hillesum a holocaust victim, "It still all comes down to the same thing. Life is beautiful. And I believe in God. And I want to be there right in the thick of what people call "horror" and still be able to say: Life is beautiful...." Beautiful quote made more meaningful to me because of the movie Life is Beautiful. I'll look for more books by this author.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. Beautiful!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really needed this right now.

[Hannah V · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to give this book a higher rating, but a few things gave me pause.
For one, there was questionable material: (1) pushing women leadership in the Church (2) mention of Satan’s ultimate conversion (3) the denunciation of anathemas and excommunications (so universalism?), founded on a misunderstanding of what anathemas are.
Secondly, the writing style was veering towards stream-of-consciousness in a way that’s probably difficult for many to get through. It is truly this woman’s heart on paper, making it choppy stylistically at times.
It’s also not what I expected, which made it harder to get into at first.
Overall, though, this book was full of so many blessed insights. I felt so understood by the author, and called to higher spiritual living. I will likely return to this book throughout my life. But I would only recommend this to a mature Christian who could take her words with a grain of salt.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

To begin, I read this collection during a silent retreat so it had my undivided attention (as it deserved). The wisdom of the author is palpable in these pages, not only for her life experience but for her self-awareness regarding her shortcomings and struggles. There are so many gorgeous gifts here; I fell in love with the honesty of the ordinary and the progression of the pieces. While valuable for anyone who is spiritually seeking, I think this journey is particularly relevant for anyone questioning their direction or hesitating to look within. Sr. Macrina takes the first tough step and proves that there can be so much beauty in the discomfort of the seeking. Highly recommended!!

[Mommcgee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give it TEN STARS!

[Taber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindred spirits, Macrina and me. Her humility far surpasses mine, however.

“Yearning for solitude, I have come to realize that I am yearning to be a person rather than an individualist. If I am a person, I am hidden with Christ in God. If I am an individualist, I am hidden only in my false self…”

“Come now, don’t be a cynic. Your heart was made for deep things….”


“My tears know more than I know. That’s why it’s so important to listen to them, to pray with them.”

There’s a lot more where that came from.

O God, deliver me from shallow living!

[Michelle Raybourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, recommended by Sammi.

I have found I have an affinity for Catholic writers like Nouwen, Buechner, and now Macrina’s words.

I just appreciate the prayers and creativity in her writing. It’s funny I feel like I have a peculiar mix in myself of being drawn to a nomadic life full of travel and more of a monastic life (not full monastery) but one rooted in the same place.

I think I can just hope to be faithful when I find myself planted somewhere or if I find myself moving more often than not.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enlightening books I’ve ever read! A guidebook for those seeking holiness in the ordinary as well as the sacred. Powerful. I will re-read many times, I’m sure.

[Christian guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half of this book is worth 5 stars regardless of how the rest turned out. Macrina writes with such joy and fullness that you can't help but get pulled in to the depths of intimacy with God that she experiences. The back end of this book is filled with letters and practices that can be very helpful if you aren't familiar with them. For me the second half wasn't nearly as compelling as the first half, but the first half is such a game changer I can't imagine an entire book like that.

[Jesse G]

our new roomie Tiffany let me borrow this book. It seems to be a continuation of the current catholic mystical writers such as Merton and Nouwen. I eat that stuff for breakfast like a big bowl of cereal.

[NK · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a teaching book regarding spiritual reflection and prayer. You need to take time reading this book in a quiet place, undistracted. I liked most of the book but found chapter 8 difficult to get through. I am not a fan of journaling.

[Olive Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best friend recommended this book to me and I'm so glad I read it! A feast for anyone who is contemplative at heart.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honest review, this was just too far on the mystical side for me. Some great sentences and then it would trail off into free association and placing one’s self into various metaphorical situations. I need theology that makes God a more real presence in my life. Weird imagery I’m already too good at dreaming up on my own. Worth reading as it is short and pretty, and I don’t disagree with the basic premises but not very useful for me.

[Darrel Hofland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman's theology, spirituality, view of God and life is so similar to mine.
So thrilled to "meet another" who sees and thinks like I do.

My faith has been rekindled and inspired.

I wholeheartedly believe... a book can land in your life at the right time.

[Cathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book recommended in a Bible study class. I struggled with this one and ended up skimming, which I am sure meant I got very little out of it. It was not what I was expecting and not what I need right now. Since it's considered a classic I'm sure others have appreciated it more.

[Neil Saltmarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there are parts of this book that are truly beautiful. The seeing the holy in the ordinary and seeing with wonder is very touching and instructional in seeing with a different lense. It is easy to read. I love the poetry that is throughout. May need another read.

[Corrie Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me at exactly the right moment. Wiederkehr is overflowing with wisdom and has a unique eye for seeing the love of God in “ordinary” places. I will cherish her words for many years to come!

[Emily Rozmus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled a bit with the first third of the book. But I read the letters while at Rockvale, sitting on the porch watching the sun burn through the fog and listening to the birds sing. I’ll never forget that feeling and these words.

[Camellia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book filled with the love of God

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to get through this book. There were wonderful “pearls of wisdom”, but the writing style was difficult for me.

[CAROL · Rating 1 out of 5]

A really pitiful book. Don't waste your time.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Kindle version is filled with misspellings that I couldn’t get past. They ruined the book for me. Couldn’t they get someone who can spell for a proofreader? Sorry, it’s my issue.

[Karen Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. I will indeed refer to it again in the future.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nancy McCorkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read this three or four times. Always enjoy revisiting it. Very inspiring.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done, lots to ponder here.

[Mary McCormick-Gendzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect reminder God is in all things