In the Footprints of Loneliness
Meditations—when you hear an echo in your heart
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by Catherine Doherty
$6.95 USD
112 pages — Trade Paperback, 4.25" x 7"
Madonna House Publications, 2003
ISBN 0-921440-90-1 — $6.95
(Originally part of Doubts, Loneliness, Rejection)
The greatest pain of the world today is loneliness.
Loneliness is a part of the journey of faith. When loneliness comes upon you, you want to go and hide in some corner—self-pity carries you like a big, huge wave on a beach all full of stones. You see that beach in your mind and you think you are going to be broken up on the rocks...
But in the depths of every heart there is a garden enclosed.
This garden is Gethsemane, and the enclosure is a meeting place for the Beloved, God. If you enter into this garden, you will hear the incredible sounds that Jesus heard: the heartbeats of God. God put loneliness in your heart so that you would hunger for him, and learn that unity with him brings unity with all.
Catherine Doherty experienced what it was like to be alone and abandoned. Now, she shares meditations written in her poustinia and in the hustle of her life dedicated to the poor. Out of these experiences over many years came this book—which she fervently hoped would offer consolation to those who have trod the footprints of loneliness in their walks of faith.
Reviews for Doubts, Loneliness, Rejection
“Through loneliness, one is induced to reach out to God who is in heaven but also manifests himself in a brother or sister... These simple, personal meditations will help us not only to stand at the door of these mysteries of life, but also to enter into their deepest meaning.” — Messenger Book Notices
“This poetic, moving, insightful work reflects a lifetime of prayer, work, suffering and above all, faith on the part of the author.... This book is designed to heal, help, and comfort religious and laity alike who are struggling in the face of loneliness and grief. From an authentically mystical perspective, the book encourages and inspires people to grow in trust and love for one another and God.” — The Society of St. Paul
“In this book Catherine Doherty shows how the resolution of these aspects of our experience is not possible without faith in God... This is a book which speaks to very real human anguishes and offers faith in God as the answer.” — Father Robert Wild
About the Author
Catherine Doherty used her heritage as a Russian Christian as a matrix for responding to the needs of Christian life and work in the modern world. Her own personal pilgrimage led her to be "poor with the poor Christ" in the slums of Toronto and in Harlem; and later to the establishing of the world-wide Madonna House Apostolate. A dedicated wife and mother, Catherine was also a prolific writer of hundreds of articles, a best-selling author of dozens of books, a renowned national speaker, and a pioneer of social justice. Catherine Doherty's cause for canonization as a saint is now under consideration by the Catholic Church.
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