Bake and Be Blessed: Bread Baking As a Metaphor for Spiritual Growth

by Dominic Garramone

Fr. Dominic Garramone , is a Benedictine monk of St. Bede Abbey in Illinois and host of the highly successful public television series, Breaking Bread with Father Dominic. Father Dominic offers reflections on how one simple activity -- baking bread -- can teach us to grow spiritually and live more meaningfully. Gain insight from everyday activities and live fully through meditation and prayer. With five new recipes, including Ice Cream Muffins and Oatmeal Cookies (with a very special story).

Genres: Christian, Cooking, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Religion

136 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Drmkk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nifty little treasure I stumbled across because I’ve had to give up gluten and I miss bread so much that I was wondering about the spiritual implications of not being able to eat the bread of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this break down of the metaphor.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if someone hasn't made bread, most everyone has eaten it. There is no better understandable metaphor for spiritual growth than learning about the process of bread-making. Father Dominic compares the process of making a loaf of bread with the process of a person's spiritual development. He also talks about the different types of bread and the different types of "bread people" and asks the question, "What sort of bread will you be?" I think I want to be a honey oatmeal bread with a side of cinnamon swirl bread and a helping of banana bread too...

[Cynthia Wheelehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally food for thought! Loved it !

[Peggy Maniates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed right now.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Dominic compares baking bread to seeking faith in our daily life. He uses different types of of to explain how people are different. Very interesting and enlightening book.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I enjoyed it so much I ordered my own copy. I anticipate reading it regularly.

[Trisha DeBoer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a Catholic, nor do I bake, but I enjoyed this book. Father Dom weaves stories, theology, and his love of baking together in this book that analogizes baking bread to the spiritual life. I appreciated the personal stories he sprinkled throughout the book, and the thanks he gave to the many people in his life who have helped shape him as a priest and as a baker. One of my favorite chapters was the one dealing with being punched down. While at first glance, one might think he was talking simply about punching down dough, upon reading, we see that this is a metaphor for the "stuff" life throws at a person. The chapter discussing what kind of bread people are was also a valuable one. I would recommend this book to others; seekers and learned alike.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best theology book of bread I have ever read! I want to be this monk!

[Ratforce]

Based on your preference for books on the Catholic faith and cookbooks, you may be interested in this cookbook which provides both recipes and reflections on faith.