Called to Question: A Spiritual Memoir

This book by Sr Joan Chittister is inspirational and confirming. All believers who wonder, once in a while, if it is all true - no matter what comprises the "all", will find solace and consolation in this book. Sr Chittister answers your doubts and fears by putting hers on the line. Written beautifully, as are all her books, this one has you saying 'Yes, that's me!' over and over. I would recommend it to all who are interested in their own personal spiritual growth. Jeanne MacCoy, San Leandro, California

Joan Chittister always has the best sense of melding together the human with the divine, the natural with the supernatural, reality with theology. She's done it again.

Upon hearing about Sister Joan from Sir Walter Brueggemann and Patricia Hallum who are both avid readers, I tackled her two latest treasures. Bruegge's awesome evaluation after speaking in Mississippi Conference last year with Marcus Borg, Bishop Spong plus Sister Joan was simply "She is a fearless Lady!" All of her writing has great simplicity, profoundity, richly mined metaphor plus an awesome collection of Epiphanies. Some of her numerous quotations by Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, May Sarton, Sue Monk Kidd, Donna Schaper and Marie Fortune: "In the midst of profound suffering, God is present and new life is possible." As personal response in her Journal: "Why is God in suffering? Maybe because, in those moments, there is little of anything else there! Only in God can we come to see the broader view of suffering....Suffering pares us to the core, strips us of our complacencies, and leaves us naked of ourselves. Suffering exposes us to ourselves!" Other than Karen Armstrong, who provides her personal accolades on the book cover, Walter Brueggemann, and Barbara Brown Taylor, no one else inhabits my ballpark as equally inspiring, noteable writers! These and others often gift me with courage, Faith and spiritual endurance to guide me through those deeper waters of spiritual growth! Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

Please note that the previous reviewer, DS in NJ, did not disclose with "his" opinions, that "his" views are colored by "his" natural gender bias. It is commendable that he recommends Sr. Joan's book, despite his obvious disagreement with her contention that it is time for an open dialog about the role of women in the Catholic church. Hopefully, DS's suggestion that readers skip the section of the book he found objectionable will draw more attention to ideas sorely missing from open discussion between men and women of Catholic faith. DS contends that feminism is dead. Sr.'s serious presentation of long ignored issues concerning women's roles in Catholisism are an indication that feminism has matured and has grown long reaching roots. It is crucial this book is read completely, in order to initiate debate, discourse and deliberation, as Sister obviously intended. My suggestion? Read, think, express your views, listen to others, think more and talk!

If you have questions or doubts or strong feelings about spiritaul matters that are pertinent particularly to women or you are a man who recognizes that the Catholic Church does not think women exist you must read this book. Her spirituality is sound, her questioning of herself and her church are sound. She challenges herself and her life, would that all of us would do the same.