Eric Sammons

Despite the clear teaching of the Second Vatican Council (c.f. chapter 5 of Lumen Gentium) there remains within some circles an assumption or attitude that holiness -- true holiness, such as that attained by the great saints of the Church -- is available only to the clergy or religious cloistered away in monasteries, engaged in perpetual prayer with no exposure to the corrupted secular world.

In his new book "Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá," Eric Sammons seeks to rectify this misunderstanding through the thought and writings of "the saint of ordinary life." The book deftly introduces readers to St. Josemaría and unpacks his spirituality, making it available to a wider audience.

As someone who was only passingly familiar with St. Josemaría I found Sammons' introduction to the saint quite helpful. He gives a brief biography of the saint with special attention on his firm belief that holiness is the task of all disciples, not just priests and consecrated religious. St. Josemaría was passionate in this conviction which led him to found Opus Dei as an avenue to assist the laity in this pursuit.

The bulk of the book explores St. Josemaría's practical advice for leading a life of holiness in the world. Sammons begins with three foundational chapters on the Fatherhood of God, human freedom, and "ambition for holiness" before offering four chapters on specific ways in which holiness can be practiced: contemplation, work, family life, and evangelization. Sammons quotes liberally from St. Josemaría's writings and each chapter ends with suggestions for further reading from the saint as well as questions for meditation and contemplation, and prayer intentions.

In short, Sammons offers a fine overview of St. Josemaría's spirituality and invites readers to find ways to live as disciples of Christ in the world, working for the Kingdom of God.… (més)