Walking with James Martin SJ: A Contemporary Spiritual Journey, by Robert Waldron. Paulist Press, 2012.

   Waldron invites his readers to take a journey through some of the writings of Father James Martin SJ, a recent author who has become quite well known for his several books. Waldron walks with Martin as he searched to find meaning in his busy business life, a life that was rich in cash but poor in meaning. Waldron finds comparisons in Martin's life with that of Thomas Merton, and this book would not be complete without many comparisons between the two authors.
   Father Martin is today considered one of the best Catholic authors who writes on Scripture, spirituality, lives of the saints, and even walks into the silly aspects of human life. Waldron says Martin has the charism of Fulton Sheen, the intelligence of Thomas Merton, and the charm of Henri Nouwen. Martin presents Christian messages that are of importance to Christians and non-Christians alike. Of special interest, according to Waldron, are Martin's writings about his struggle to discover fulfillment in a way of life that would bring meaning to his ever-day experiences while assisting others; this he found among the Jesuits.
   Waldron sees Martin in the "Hound of Heaven" poem of Francis Thompson, as the God of all life  searches for the soul down the pathways of life. Very much in tune with modern technology, Father Martin uses this technology to present his messages. Martin's time at Ground Zero, his time with America,  his time as a film assistant,  and his time among the poor in Kenya were times of spiritual growth and provided material for his writings.
   This book of Waldron presents Martin as a man, a priest, and an author for our day. 

St. Agnes of Assisi (1197-1253): November 19

   Agnes was the sister of St. Clare and her first follower. When Agnes left home two weeks after Clare's departure, their family attempted to bring Agnes back by force. They tried to drag her out of the monastery, but all of a sudden her body became so heavy that several knights could not budge it. Her uncle Monaldo tried to strike her but was temporarily paralyzed. The knights then left Agnes and Clare in peace.
   Agnes matched her sister in devotion to prayer and in willingness to endure the strict penances which characterized their lives at San Damiano. In 1221 a group of Benedictine nuns in Monticelli (near Florence) asked to become Poor Clares. St. Clare sent Agnes to become abbess of that monastery. Agnes soon wrote a rather sad letter about how much she missed Clare and the other nuns at San Damiano. After establishing other Poor Clare monasteries in northern Italy, Agnes was recalled to San Damiano in 1253 when Clare was dying.
   Agnes followed Clare in death three months later. Agnes was canonized in 1753.