Sorin Books, 2009
Robert J. Wicks
Robert Wicks, prolific author and revered spiritual guide, has penned a work that is direct, wise, and enormously helpful to anyone seeking to still the mind and lift the heart. He coins the term “prayerfulness” to capture that “true receptivity to the essential lessons needed to live a full life” (1). The chapters of his book range from reflections that help navigate the perils of the spiritual life to consideration of things that contribute to discovering peace and uncovering joy. The latter includes material for a thirty day retreat based on his notion of prayerfulness and a “spiritual mindfulness questionnaire,” complete with suggestions for what to do with the results of taking it.
The author is clearly a man who loves stories. He puts this love to good use by deftly illustrating points with tales that are right to the point. And he has a sense of humor that shines through the wisdom he has wrung from the years. Joyce Rupp, herself a famous spiritual writer, says in the Foreword to this book, “I always feel safe among the pages of Robert Wick’s writings. He is grounded in a healthy spirituality and writes about what he has lived. He also allows us to listen in on what others have experienced and shared with him, so we know we are not alone in our hopes and struggles” (xi). High praise, indeed, to which I can only add my enthusiastic recommendation.
Mary Aquin O'Neill, RSM