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Summary: A book for pilgrims
Review: It is appropriate that this little book begins with the topic of pilgrimage, for it is the sort of book that one would take on a pilgrimage. You can easily tuck it into your breast pocket, or pack, when you take off for the wilderness. In this way you would not be far different from the Irish monks that it describes- men who heard the call and went forth into strange countries in Peregrinatio. These were the sort of men who reintroduced the spark of Christianity into Europe after it had all but died out. Yet, these weren't rigid, dogmatic, schoolmen and theologians. These were mystic wanderers looking for the divinely appointed place where they would have their ultimate meeting with God. Until that time, they would trust Providence that they would be led to where they would do the most good.This sort of holy pilgrim and mystic was in no way unique to Ireland, or even Christianity. The way of pilgrimge to take the faithful back to the center and source, to the place of theophany and renewel is a part of all great religious traditions. This little book, however, focuses on the Christian traditions ranging from the Desert Fathers, to the medieval pilgrimages and crusades, to Mt. Athos, to Russian startsy, to the gentle Shakers of Pleasant Hill. There is an great deal covered in such a small package. Whenever I start to grow depressed with what I see of formal religion around me, I refer to this book to remind me of the mystic wellsprings from which it all arose- and will one day return to.
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