The Cloister Walk

by Kathleen Norris

An Amateur's Progress

Progress Report Number 1

April 13, 2000

This is a book (385 pages, paperbound) that reminds me of two others I’ve read: C.S. Lewis’ Reflections on the Psalms, which Norris mentions in this book, and Kevin O. Johnson’s Why Do Catholics Do That?. A married poet, Kathleen Norris, describes her 10-year experience, to date, as an “Oblate of St. Benedict,” a lay order of religious who “attach themselves to a particular monastery by signing a document on the altar during Mass, in which they promise to follow the Rule of St. Benedict insofar as their situation in life will allow.” Typical of what you would expect of a poet, the connections among the things she says are not always easy to follow, but endurance pays off. It couldn’t be worse than what an amateur has to say, right?

I became interested in this book because I never completely gave up the occasional practice of reading the Liturgy of the Hours that monks read daily. Norris comments extensively on this set of daily readings that consist mainly of Psalms and readings from the Bible and Fathers of the Church. She comments as well on Catholic practices and various saints who have been revered in the Church’s history. So much of what she says is, of course, personal memoir, but it is instructive as well.

So far, one of the most instructive parts about the daily Psalm readings, has been the reminder that these daily offices are best said in community. The instructions that come with the set of Liturgy books also say this. Only once did I take the initiative to visit a monastery and recite the office in community for a few days of retreat. I’ll have to tell you, it is a really wonderful experience. It takes practice to do these readings, and sometimes I even wonder, when reading them to myself, if I’m doing it “right.” The Psalms do grow on you, though, and many are the times the words spring to mind in commentary on whatever may be happening in your life at the time. This is also a great comfort.

All in all, I’ll have to give the book a good rating, especially if you’re looking for something to read during Lent. Kathleen Norris’ book is like the lectio divina, or holy reading, that the monks she describes practice during meals. Like poetry, this kind of writing takes the mind away from the stressful purposes of daily life and allows one to appreciate where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Copyright 2000, Herman Fontenot

References found on the World Wide Web:

This amateur takes no responsibility for the content or availability of any of these references, nor does he necessarily agree with the viewpoints expressed.

1. About The Cloister Walk--A publisher’s description of the book with a reference to biographical information about the author.
2. About Gregory of Nyssa--an excerpt about this saint from The Cloister Walk.
3. Parishes Online Catholic Bookshelf displays recent works available by Kathleen Norris.
4. The Psalms--World Wide Study Bible references to the text of, and scholarly articles about, all of the Psalms.
5. Subiaco Abbey--A Benedictine monastery in Arkansas.

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