In the Heart of the Temple: My Spiritual Vision for Today's World

by Joan D. Chittister, Martin E. Marty (Foreword)

Addressing today's most pressing questions, this prophetic manifesto for the preservation of the world brings together Chittister's most powerful, influential, and celebrated writings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Joan 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.

Reviews

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays that Chittister has written over the past years. Some of them are very ecumenical and applicable to all people of faith; some are very much centered on her Catholic faith and are of less interest to non-Catholics. This is my first book by her, and I kept stopping to scribble down quotes or notes about what she said. Her views of faith and theology and religion are very clear-eyed and deep. I can see why she is controversial, but all of that makes me like her more. I will definitely be looking for more of her works.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem. Joan Chittister is one of the foremost Roman Catholic theologians today, in spite of being a woman. She is fiercely vocal, but always hopeful as well as realistic. She describes the failings of her institution to continue to develop far enough in the direction of change given by Vatican II, stating the failures and why growth must happen - always clear, almost blunt but patient. She speaks in short topical essays like work, discipleship, vision, etc. She stays in her religious vocation in spite of it all and gives her reasons, a great inspiration to those of us who despair of our own church institutions.

[zaK young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Joan Chittister expresses so succinctly, so lucidly what the world needs to hear. One needn't be Benedictine, Catholic or even Christian to take inspiration from Sister Joan's pithy essays with one word titles.
Bravissima.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only because I really agree with most of what she had to say but because it made me question things that I have experienced and motivated me to act to change things.

[Elizabeth Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Joan speaks honesty and forthrightly about the role of discipleship and having a spiritual vision for today’s world as we struggle to establish social justice, racial and gender equality, and ecological stewardship.