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Praying with the Desert Mothers

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Though its primary focus is the desert mothers (ammas), this work, which is applicable to both men and women, also honors the wisdom of the desert fathers (abbas).

The author, a Benedictine who teaches monastic studies and theology, presents the desert mothers of the fourth and fifth centuries as midwives, "bearers of the spirit, women capable of listening to the hearts of those around them...." With bible passages, stories, contemporary examples, and reflection exercises, Forman shows us how to incorporate practices of the desert mothers into our own lives.

The ammas manifest a twofold way of being women of wisdom, she writes: "women who praise their God as their source of life, their love, and their longing, and women who share their gifts of prayer, self, and resources with others." The ammas saw an opportunity to entertain Christ in each act of hospitality. According to Abba Cassian, "One's task or occupation is to host the stranger, guest, or poor person, who appears most often unexpectedly in our midst." Forman's reflection on hospitality invites readers to consider occasions in which they grew in the realization of Christ's presence in others. The chapters in Praying with the Desert Mothers can be used in sequence or individually, making the book especially attractive for faith sharing groups.

The anchorites are so far removed from the cultural norms of our own day that they seem other-worldly and an anachronism. We wonder what could such people have to say to us today? We do ourselves a great disservice to ignore their hard-won wisdom simply because we think they could have nothing in common with us. Quite the contrary is true, of course they experienced the same spiritual and emotional struggles as we. Their psychological and spiritual training seldom involved classrooms and professors - their classroom was seclusion, meditation, and the conversation of prayer with the most qualified of all professors.

One chapter in the book refers to the pearl of great price and how pearls are often overlooked by those ignorant of their worth. Such is the value of the anchorites who dove deep to recover gems where others found it too difficult to search. Many of the male anchorites recorded or taught their lessons with words that have been preserved for us today. The female anchorites, in true womanly strength and character, were less likely to write or teach by words but favored example. Because of this varied approach it is sometimes more difficult to plumb the depths of their great learning. But it is costly to overlook such great pearls.

This is not a long book, it can finished in a single sitting without much effort. Or, better yet, it can be savored one chapter at a time in devotion and prayer. The chapters are organized for just such an approach. Intended as a guide to mystic devotions, it is a mistake to attempt it as a mere historical rarity. As the lives of the desert mothers demonstrate, these pearls of wisdom are learned only experientially.

This is an ideal help to anyone seeking a greater depth of prayer and meditation - man or woman, boy or girl. The prayers, stories, and contemporary examples are emotionally moving. True mysticism is nothing more than the enjoyment of loving God simply for who He is. This work will help guide the courageous seeker looking for that pearl of true mysticism.