This is a great collection from the Abbot General of the Cistercian Order. This collection is fresh and lively and brings to the fore the intellectual strength of Fr, Olivera. I continue to enjoy dipping in to read his insights and thoughts.

These conferences and letters cover a remarkable range of questions from the growth of monastic/ contemplative life today and the place of their 1000 year old tradition in the modern world to really excellent reflections on the world today.

This book is particular to monks and addresses them first but to discover thier concerns, practices and prayer is a blessing and a reward.

I would hardly of thought such quality of study would be found in a contemplative monastery but [much to my shame in holding such a view] it is true that in their prayer and study and empathy with the lives of men and women they go to the heart of the world and bring Christ there.

If this in modern monastic life then it is alive and well at the heart of the Church.