When I was an adolescent growing up in a small Kansas town, I sometimes dreamt of becoming a nun--even though I was not Catholic. My cousin, Virginia, had given her life to God and went off to a convent. It all seemed so dramatic and selfless, and I admired her courage and commitment to a life of prayer and spiritual discipline.
I have always been intrigued with the women who left their homes, families, friends and all their personal belongings and took vows of poverty and chastity. And I've also been curious about what life is like behind those sacred walls.
When I discovered Beryl Singleton Bissell's memoir, The Scent of God, I devoured it, savored it, dog-eared the pages and filled it with yellow highlighting. I only do that with books that speak to my heart and soul; I know that I will return to those pages again and again.
The Scent of God takes the reader behind the walls of a convent and into the heart and mind of a young woman who wanted more than anything to be "good", to please God and to be loved. While perfectionism and a compulsive need to be in control of her mind and body led to anorexia, controlling her heart would prove to be more difficult.
This is a story about choices, commitments, faith and love. It is about the choice that Beryl had to make between her calling and an Italian priest who won her heart.
Beryl's memoir is beautifully written, weaving in the rituals of everyday life in the convent with the emotional and spiritual evolution of a young woman who comes to trust herself as well as God.
Tomorrow, I will feature an interview with Beryl. She was kind enough to take time from her busy schedule of promoting the new paperback edition of The Scent of God.
To order The Scent of God, you may go straight to the publisher's web site using this link: http://www.perseusbookspromos.com/buy.php?ISBN=1582433488
Here are some additional links to Beryl's web site and blogs, one of which is on Gather:
Web site : Http://www.berylsingletonbissell.com
Gather blog: http://www.beryl.gather.com
Journey blog: http://www.berylsingletonbissell.livedigital.com/
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Comments: 86
And Beryl, no, it wasn't the habit. :-)
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977075932
The scent of the Great Spirit is found in the scent of a mountian stream, of the pine trees, of fresh mountian air, of the prarie grasses, in the rain and in the wind, In nature as a whole but NEVER in a building, and NEVER in a Religious service.
Dar
Kudos. 10
Robert, you noticed. Yes, I am known to be somewhat emotional. I cry over commercials on television. Beryl's book touched me deeply.
And Colonel George, we all have our callings in life. And those callings may be for a few years and maybe for a lifetime. Beryl's calling now seems to be in writing. Her book is a ministry in itself. It is inspirational. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Beryl and Vittorio's love for one another was part of their spiritual path, I believe. And one should not cast stones.
U
Wonderfully written and passionately described. I can't waait for her interview.
Many thanks for sharing your insightful review.
pj
I have read of it. I suppose I will go to the library to read
the rest of this poignant story.
Thank You.
BB
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
David, yes, I love to read--starting from a very early age. Nancy Drew was one of my favorites as a child and when I ran out of them I went on to the Hardy Boys. I am writing my own book now. Thanks for your kind words.
Love it and I love your website too, not to mention the blog!
God Bless
10*
dee-dee
My husband went to a Catholic grade school, Karen. He got the ruler a couple of times. Ouch!
Haven't read "Confessions of a Catholic Schoolgirl," Michelle. It sounds tempting...
Thanks everyone, including Col George, for their comments. It does take a reading of the book to adjust one's insight into the decision Vittorio and I made. The Scent in the title of the book, is an analogy for the elusive fragrance of the divine that draws so many to pursue God throughout their lifetimes.
I just wanted to stop by since I am finally going through what is now listed as under 3,800 pieces of gather new mail that is sitting in my inbox on here.
With that mentioned I just came across either a mailing from you yourself, or someone else brought this piece to my attention. You or they felt that your creation should be shared with the gather community, which I am very glad that it was passed on to me to view. So I wanted to say Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to publish it here on gather for us to all view. :o)
As well before I leave you I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year... in 2009 :o)