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In God's Holy Light: Wisdom from the Desert Monastics
The Desert Monastics, thousands of monks and nuns who lived in the Egyptian wastelands between the third and fifth centuries, have come to be seen as the Olympians of the spiritual life. Renowned spiritual writer Joan Chittister explores the sayings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers, finding wisdom from that ancient tradition that speaks to your life today. This popular introduction to a powerful source of Christian wisdom can be a companion to your own spiritual journey.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via Audible.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via Audible.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2015
92 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Joan D. Chittister
205 books293 followersJoan Daugherty Chittister, O.S.B., is an American Benedictine nun, theologian, author, and speaker. She has served as Benedictine prioress and Benedictine federation president, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 12, 2018
I picked this up in Google Play, mostly because I knew I liked the Desert Monastics and Joan Chittister. That is good reason, of course, and, on the whole, I`m happy with that. What this volume does is to take common sayings of the Desert Monastics and reflect upon them from a contemporary point of view. The result is a useful set of reflections, almost perfectly set up for taking time with slowly and, well, reflectively. That is the major value of this volume.
On the whole, I liked the reflections, but I did often have the niggling feeling that Chittister was often going beyond the historical context of the sayings to get to what she was really wanting to talk about. Since I agree with her a lot of time, I didn`t find that very distracting, but I am enough of a historicist to feel that that tendency could sound a false note in otherwise sound theology. This is a relatively minor criticism and it certainly is a constant danger whenever one is trying to take traditional material and relate it to the new context of today.
Despite that criticism, the In God`s Holy Light is a lovely book and one that is ideally suited for daily reflection.
On the whole, I liked the reflections, but I did often have the niggling feeling that Chittister was often going beyond the historical context of the sayings to get to what she was really wanting to talk about. Since I agree with her a lot of time, I didn`t find that very distracting, but I am enough of a historicist to feel that that tendency could sound a false note in otherwise sound theology. This is a relatively minor criticism and it certainly is a constant danger whenever one is trying to take traditional material and relate it to the new context of today.
Despite that criticism, the In God`s Holy Light is a lovely book and one that is ideally suited for daily reflection.
April 27, 2024
Easter is almost over and I am just finishing my Lenten reading... During Holy Week, I thought I could finish a one hundred thirty page book in a week, but I lost all momentum on Easter Sunday. I think I would still be reading it but for a book hold that came through at the library!
Still, this is a good book. I ended up spending lots of time this Lent reading about early Christianity (lot different than how some are practicing now). Reading about lessons from the Early Desert Fathers was a great way to finish off this course I set for myself. Joan Chittister had some very insightful chapters as always. I did take pictures and highlighted some of the quotes, so definitely worth your time if you decide to pick it up.
Still, this is a good book. I ended up spending lots of time this Lent reading about early Christianity (lot different than how some are practicing now). Reading about lessons from the Early Desert Fathers was a great way to finish off this course I set for myself. Joan Chittister had some very insightful chapters as always. I did take pictures and highlighted some of the quotes, so definitely worth your time if you decide to pick it up.
July 3, 2021
Being a prophet doesn't mean telling fortunes or peering into the future. A prophet names the madness happening right now. Sr. Joan, in what may be her best book, urgently tells us that we are all called to be prophets. We are called to stand up against the tide and be the voice for those who have none.
October 1, 2015
One of my favorite chapters is the one on Holy Generosity. “Abba Spiphanus said: ‘God sells righteousness very cheap to those who are eager to buy: namely for a little piece of bread, worthless clothes, a cup of cold water and one coin.'” Both the monks and the people they were giving to were very poor, Chittister says, in stark contrast to our society where we grasp as much as we can for ourselves and then humiliate others into becoming beggars or make them pass a means’ test to see if they are worthwhile recipients of our charity. Personal holiness includes social responsibility on a local, national, and global level. When reminding us (together with Abba James) that words matter, Chittister comments that “we called the practice of selling debt to multiple anonymous buyers ‘hedge funds’ – as in funds that hid us from responsibility – and we brought the economy down. We called war ‘defense,’ but we now know that there were no weapons aimed at us from half a world away. Without even the grace to blush, we claimed to be using these weapons – weapons that harm hardworking fathers, pregnant mothers, and infants – to defend democracy, justice and freedom.” She writes that Abba James “speaks to us from the depths of his ancient desert, and his words echo in the sterility and barrenness of our modern deserts. But we are bogged down in money and oppression, lust and exploitation, the abuse of children and the despoliation of women everywhere – including on the streets of our towns. And we use words – progress, success, equality and fairness – to veil it.” Can we find even more excuses to ignore the blunt messages of the desert monastics, or is it time for us to wake up and take God’s call on our lives seriously?
Read my full review here: http://wordsbecamebooks.com/2015/10/0...
Read my full review here: http://wordsbecamebooks.com/2015/10/0...
October 22, 2015
Meet the Desert Monastics face to face or should I say heart to heart. I loved this book for the spiritual wisdom that it imparts. I learned so much about what is important in life. It's like having a spiritual director in your pocket. I realy liked the quotes from the desert fathers that were at the beginning of each chapter. Then the rest of the chapter unpacks the meaning of the quote and expands on the explanation of how this applies to each of us in modern times.
There are 35 chapters that are short and digestible but the reader might want to give time to meditate on each. This book would be good as a Lenten retreat. The first few chapters discuss what you might want to be leary of in a false spirituality. The middle chapters describe what an adult spirituality might look like. The last chapters concentrate on an individual's place in the bigger Christian world.
One of the most interesting ideas of consulting the desert monastics is that what they dealt with in their society in Egypt in the 3rd through the 6th centuries in trying to not get caught up in the materialism and selfishness in their cities is common now for our time as well. So how do we become like the monks and nuns of their time in our modern day society? We are generally seeking a closer relationship with Christ as modern day Christians but so much is distraction and gets in our way.
The abbas advice and stories are about how to simplify our lives and get to the heart of the matter and capture our inner heart strings too. I was intimidated about the topic of the desert monastics at first but the author has made them fun and easy to understand at first read but with enough depth in spirituality to interest the seasoned reader of Christian spirituality.
I would recommend this book to you as a book to savor. It is definitely one I will keep close on my shelf and you will want to have a copy too.
There are 35 chapters that are short and digestible but the reader might want to give time to meditate on each. This book would be good as a Lenten retreat. The first few chapters discuss what you might want to be leary of in a false spirituality. The middle chapters describe what an adult spirituality might look like. The last chapters concentrate on an individual's place in the bigger Christian world.
One of the most interesting ideas of consulting the desert monastics is that what they dealt with in their society in Egypt in the 3rd through the 6th centuries in trying to not get caught up in the materialism and selfishness in their cities is common now for our time as well. So how do we become like the monks and nuns of their time in our modern day society? We are generally seeking a closer relationship with Christ as modern day Christians but so much is distraction and gets in our way.
The abbas advice and stories are about how to simplify our lives and get to the heart of the matter and capture our inner heart strings too. I was intimidated about the topic of the desert monastics at first but the author has made them fun and easy to understand at first read but with enough depth in spirituality to interest the seasoned reader of Christian spirituality.
I would recommend this book to you as a book to savor. It is definitely one I will keep close on my shelf and you will want to have a copy too.
July 12, 2015
I've never read anything by Joan Chittister before, but her piercing words strike at the heart. The lines she chooses to illuminate from the desert monastics are simple but immensely practical. As she says, they don't use flowerly or academic language to get their message across. On almost every page, I found myself convicted, filled with peace, and fiercely motivated to search for justice. A beautiful, short, and powerful book.
August 8, 2016
It was wonderful to hear Sister Joan reading her own book in this audio version of In God's Holy Light. She's my jam. I love the way she makes relevant now what desert monastics learned and shared centuries ago. Applying it to our world today resonates on multiple levels. Only problem with an audio version is my inability to highlight passages and dog ear pages that will merit rereading.
February 5, 2019
Get Your Butt Going!
like a mother trying to motivate her clueless teenager, Joan Chittister warns us about being cushy , wishy washy Christians ! By examining a d explaining in no uncertain terms the questions and answers of early Christian fathers and mothers, she challenges is all to live the truth.
like a mother trying to motivate her clueless teenager, Joan Chittister warns us about being cushy , wishy washy Christians ! By examining a d explaining in no uncertain terms the questions and answers of early Christian fathers and mothers, she challenges is all to live the truth.
March 11, 2019
Spiritual food for thought and action
I have read one of these reflections a day and have been inspired and challenged by them. I will now go back to the beginning and read them again- and more importantly try to incorporate more fully in my life.
I have read one of these reflections a day and have been inspired and challenged by them. I will now go back to the beginning and read them again- and more importantly try to incorporate more fully in my life.
June 12, 2019
This is a great read, especially if you enjoy learning from the Desert Fathers and Mothers. The best part about this book is that it helps you apply ancient teachings to modern day life. I came away from the book feeling encouraged in my faith and inspired to keep pressing on.
May 21, 2016
The early church mothers and fathers had much wisdom about spirituality that still applies to today's modern world. This book makes me think!
Want to read
March 24, 2018271.009 C449I
March 24, 2020
A Disappointment
This is a book of insight stemming from the wisdom of the Desert Fathers. This wisdom on living life is revealed at the beginning of each chapter by a single, brief story. These people from a far earlier period of time, living largely in isolation have relevant messages for inhabitants of a far more complex world. The value of silence and solitude, the virtue of keeping one's tongue under control, the value of charity even at the expense of religious practices are a few of the topics covered.
In seeking to apply the fathers'(and mothers') insights to a modern world, Sister Joan becomes heavy handed in her applications to current problems: war, nuclear weapons, the environment, women's equality, a grocery list of pet liberal causes to which the Christian is called from "religion" to social action. Sister carefully avoids the most pressing civil rights issue of our time--protecting the right to life of the unborn--while pleading for just treatment of women. This omission undercuts her social message, but is totally in tune with the liberal agenda, an offputting bias for this reader. To be sure, her advocacy of active concern for the poor is relevant but obvious to most trying to live a Christian life.
Finally, though bearing in mind the desert fathers' existence away from church structure, the author somehow ignores the modern Christian's need for sacramental grace to enable effective social action. This reader had the impression that the author sees little value in "religious activities," be they the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation or the Rosary.
I chose thus book for Lenten spiritual reading but did not find the banquet of inspiration and guidance I sought.
This is a book of insight stemming from the wisdom of the Desert Fathers. This wisdom on living life is revealed at the beginning of each chapter by a single, brief story. These people from a far earlier period of time, living largely in isolation have relevant messages for inhabitants of a far more complex world. The value of silence and solitude, the virtue of keeping one's tongue under control, the value of charity even at the expense of religious practices are a few of the topics covered.
In seeking to apply the fathers'(and mothers') insights to a modern world, Sister Joan becomes heavy handed in her applications to current problems: war, nuclear weapons, the environment, women's equality, a grocery list of pet liberal causes to which the Christian is called from "religion" to social action. Sister carefully avoids the most pressing civil rights issue of our time--protecting the right to life of the unborn--while pleading for just treatment of women. This omission undercuts her social message, but is totally in tune with the liberal agenda, an offputting bias for this reader. To be sure, her advocacy of active concern for the poor is relevant but obvious to most trying to live a Christian life.
Finally, though bearing in mind the desert fathers' existence away from church structure, the author somehow ignores the modern Christian's need for sacramental grace to enable effective social action. This reader had the impression that the author sees little value in "religious activities," be they the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation or the Rosary.
I chose thus book for Lenten spiritual reading but did not find the banquet of inspiration and guidance I sought.
October 17, 2025
I really loved this little book. It was an unexpected and surprising library find; I had never heard of the author before, but I've wanted to learn more about the Desert Fathers and monasticism in general, so a book about the Desert Monastics by a Benedictine nun sounded about right to me.
The book is laid out in thirty-five chapters, each starting with a short story or quote by a Desert Monastic and concluding with a 3-4 page commentary by Sister Joan. She seems to write from a liberal, feminist and American perspective, which isn't a bad thing. She had some refreshing takes on many of these sayings, applying each one to our twenty-first century life of faith. She effortlessly translates these stories from third to fifth-century Egyptian deserts to real applications here and now. And why not? We humans have the same basic challenges as we have since the beginning. And God is the same God. It's inspiring. I did find myself wishing the ratio of quotes/stories to commentary was a bit different, but I could probably just pick up a book like Sayings of the Desert Fathers to get my fill of that. I do appreciate Sister Joan's perspective and effort to applying these stories to our modern world.
The book is laid out in thirty-five chapters, each starting with a short story or quote by a Desert Monastic and concluding with a 3-4 page commentary by Sister Joan. She seems to write from a liberal, feminist and American perspective, which isn't a bad thing. She had some refreshing takes on many of these sayings, applying each one to our twenty-first century life of faith. She effortlessly translates these stories from third to fifth-century Egyptian deserts to real applications here and now. And why not? We humans have the same basic challenges as we have since the beginning. And God is the same God. It's inspiring. I did find myself wishing the ratio of quotes/stories to commentary was a bit different, but I could probably just pick up a book like Sayings of the Desert Fathers to get my fill of that. I do appreciate Sister Joan's perspective and effort to applying these stories to our modern world.
February 21, 2022
Joan Chittister conveys the simplicity and straight forward approach of the Desert Monastics, pointing out our "modern day" faults and pointedly illustrating how we can live in God's Holy Light by practicing the virtues displayed by these reverent Monks lives. "....purpose for the spiritual life, the Desert Monastics tell us to this day, is to begin to see the world as God sees the world". My favorite chapter is Sr. Joan's explanation of the Monastics frank interpretation: "What is Holiness" ....“Even if the brother who fasts six days were to hang himself by the nose, he could not equal the one who serves the sick.”
June 18, 2023
I’d never read anything by this author but I found this was just fine. I was hoping for more history and stories from the desert fathers. Much of what was included in this book was very good, I just wished it had included more history of the desert fathers. That was obviously not the aim of the book so I can’t fault it for not including it but I felt that would have added much to the content.
October 13, 2023
I always love Sr. Joan Chittister. Her wordings are direct. I also bought the audio book which I didn't spend much time at this read with it. I'll need to come back to this at some later date but what I got through was her usual 5-star work. She, like others, cites the first edition Laura Swan book but then Sr. Joan makes it all her own.
November 11, 2019
A reminder of the foundations of our faith
A wonderful introduction or continuation of desert monasticism. It can be read in a setting or savored over time. I will surely return to it often.
A wonderful introduction or continuation of desert monasticism. It can be read in a setting or savored over time. I will surely return to it often.
May 18, 2023
Spirituality in today's world
A journal of the desert monastic who speaks to our spiritual life in today's world. An insight into the choices between spirituality and religious practice as we live a life according to Jesus word.
A journal of the desert monastic who speaks to our spiritual life in today's world. An insight into the choices between spirituality and religious practice as we live a life according to Jesus word.
Read
December 26, 2021Enjoyed reading
Loved this book ! It was very enlightening, it spoke to my soul. A must read for those on a spiritual journey.
Loved this book ! It was very enlightening, it spoke to my soul. A must read for those on a spiritual journey.
January 10, 2023
This is a good collection of reflections that illustrate connections between the desert fathers of old, and modern life.
January 27, 2023
truth
Truth - not easy to hear but plain spoken and like the desert brothers and sisters spoken from the heart of experience.
Truth - not easy to hear but plain spoken and like the desert brothers and sisters spoken from the heart of experience.
March 29, 2023
Beautiful book that I used for my Lenten study. As always, Joan Chittister touches our hearts with God's holy wisdom and love.
November 30, 2025
Excellent! There is so much to learn from the desert monastics for our lives today.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews