This War Is the Passion

by Caryll Houselander

Originally published in 1941, this book by the renowned British mystic and spiritual writer Caryll Houselander is once again new as modern readers learn from Houselander's encouragement of her compatriots to view their experience of World War II through the lens of Christ's passion. Writing with the intensity and immediacy of life in London during the blitz, Houselander's thought-provoking reflections continue to speak to believers today about the complex challenge they face to find Christ in the midst of the War on Terror. Writing in the tradition of Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and Teresa of Avila, Houselander's words resonate with Christians today regardless of their perspective on theology and the Church.

Genres: Spirituality

171 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2008

About the author

Caryll Houselander (1901-1954) was a British Roman Catholic laywoman; a mystic, writer, artist, visionary and healer. Born in London in 1901, Caryll was the second of two daughters born to Willmott and Gertrude (nee Provis) Houselander. Her first book, This War is the Passion. written during World War II, launched her prolific writing career. Houselander's talents included painting and many woodcarvings.

Caryll's "divinely eccentric" life was principally a devotion to contemplating Christ in all and men and women and in all life circumstances. Maisie Ward (a friend of Caryll and author of her principal biography, Caryll Houselander: That Divine Eccentric (Sheed & Ward, 1962), states, "Her message can be summed in a single sentence; we must learn to see Christ in everyone." Msgr. Ronald Knox was quoted as saying about Caryll's writing style, " . . . she seemed to see everything for the first time and the driest of doctrinal considerations shone out like a restored picture when she finished it."

Though she remained a single woman throughout her life, Caryll was engaged for a time to Sidney Reilly, who was the model for Ian Fleming's character, "James Bond."

Caryll Houselander has been described as being a mystic in the tradition of Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and Teresa of Avila. She is best known for her works such as The Reed of God.

Caryll died of cancer on October 12th, 1954. Her bibliography consists of more than seven hundred written works including poems, short stories and articles, articles for juvenile publications and children's books (for some of these she did artwork for as well), articles for various Catholic publications, and, of course, her own books.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsignor Ronald Knox, a contemporary of Houselander's wrote that, "She seemed to see every day for the first time, and the driest doctrinal considerations shone out like a restored picture when she had finished with it." I could not have said it better myself.

Here is but one example of how Houselander offers a refreshing perspective to familiar doctrines such as the Incarnation. She writes:

"[Christ] has put on your life as we put on an old worn garment, liking it better for its shabbiness, for the ease with which we can work in it and sit comfortably in it, a garment like a friend that can rough it with us; yes, so he has put on our life, your life, like an old garment and he has worn it to his shape, moulded it by his body, by his actions, to a thing of unspeakable beauty" (p. 36).

[Bernard Delcourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several good chapters on being a Christian in war time. With war going on in Ukraine and Palestine, I wanted to see what Houselander had to say about that.
A third of the book dwells on Christian dolorism; a lot of which I don't agree with.

[Eliza Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most powerful books I’ve read this year.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just started this book, and starting with the forward, there is something to chew on, on every page.

Even though it was written during the dark days of WW II, it also rings true to our current times.

Suffering has always been a difficult topic to explain, but she does so very adroitly. She very effectively shows the value of suffering.