This volume is part of the Orbis Books series Modern Spiritual Masters. David Meconi has selected and written the introduction to this anthology of writings by Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896 - 1985), a zealous Catholic who was known for her service of the poor and her commitment to social justice. This wealthy aristocrat from Russia served in World War I as a nurse, was received into the Roman Catholic Church in 1919, came to New York City in 1924, opened Friendship House in Harlem, and in 1947 founded the Madonna House apostate in Ontario. Once asked who she was, she responded:
"You ask me, who am I? I am the echo of a voice. You ask me who I am? I am a breath, a wind. You ask me who am I? I am a wound. You ask me, who am I? I am a tear. You ask me, who am I? I am a bride. You ask me, who am I? I am a sinner God has touched. You ask me, who am I? I'll answer you . . . a fool in love with God."
Meconi has divided the writings of de Hueck Doherty into sections: The Divine Presence, The Mystical Body, Christian Prayer, Christian Action, and The Human Condition. In one piece, the author admits that she is not a theologian but just a person who tries to listen to the words of God and meditate on them. We were impressed with her comments on the wonderments of life; wounded people; Mary as the model and the maker of sanctified humanity; the love that can bridge the gap between Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and Protestants; the process of emptying oneself in order to serve others; the need to become icons of Christ; the serenity and peace of Dorothy Day even when she was rejected; and the ways in which God invites us to enter a mystery.
