Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896-1985), a Russian-born aristocrat who has recently been proposed for canonization, emigrated to North America, dedicated her life to promoting "the gospel without compromise." Her vision combined a deep spirituality with a commitment to social justice. One of her early projects was the Harlem-based Friendship House, which attracted a young Thomas Merton. Later, with her second husband, Eddie Doherty, she established Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario. Though Roman Catholic, Catherine drew on her Russian roots and helped popularize the concept of Poustinia (the Russian word for desert)a place where a person meets God through solitude, prayer, and fasting. These writings, drawn from 25 books, highlight her distinctive spirituality, with its emphasis on the presence of God, the practice of prayer, a love for the church, and a deep apprehension of the social dimension of the gospel.

The Russian word Poustinia means 'desert¿, a place to meet Christ in silence, solitude and prayer. Catherine Doherty combines her insights into the great spiritual traditions of the Russian Church with her very personal experience of life with Christ.

"Compatriot of Dorothy Day, inspired of Thomas Merton, founder of Friendship House in Harlem and of Madonna House, popularized of the worldwide Poustinia phenomenon, pioneer of the lay apostolate movement, Catherine allowed herself to be consumed by the fire of Jesus' love. "This autobiography has a special, divinely-touched richness. It reads like an adventure novel. If this were nothing but a work of pure fiction, it would still be extremely intriguing. But because it's all true, it goes beyond intriguing to become enthralling and inspiring" -- Larry Holley, The Pecos Benedictine "This is no dull, date-filled biography, but a deeply personal sharing of the experiences of her life. The book shines with her vision of uncompromising commitment to the Gospel. If you have time to read no other book, read this one." -- Sign Magazine "According to any standard, the author of Fragments is a most remarkable woman. It requires a great act of trust and love to share a personal, intimate life with millions of people. Fragments is, in a sense, one of he profounder acts of love of a life already so obviously loving. -- Spiritual Book News

This rich seasonal devotional reads like a sampler of the everyday spirituality of Catherine Doherty--a spiritual giant of the 20th-century who counted Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day among her friends, founded the Madonna House Apostolate, and left extensive writings to her spiritual sons and daughters.

Mother of God, Model of Love... A remarkable, reader-friendly book about the Blessed Mother as a continuing presence in the lives of every Christian. Twelve chapters compiled from collected writings, some of them establishing the cultural (Russian) background of Catherine Doherty's Marian devotion, but most of them re-examining how people can experience Mary today. Accented with the author's richand original Marian prayers. "This book presents Mary as the model of love sought by all, one who can truly liberate us from selfishly doing our own thing. Catherine draws a portrait of Mary that makes her unselfish service to the Trinity, her simplicity, integrity, silence and fidelity appealing to all." - Prairie Messenger

Strannik is the Russian word for "pilgrim," one with a vocation-a unique, holy calling. Pilgrimage is more than something you `do.' `Being a pilgrim' consumes all of you. The pilgrim is to "be the Gospel and to preach it with his words and with his being." In Strannik, Catherine shows that pilgrimage is not just something for a few spiritual ascetics with wanderlust. Even less does it resemble the modern tourist-style `pilgrimages' that try to cover as many holy places as possible in the briefest time possible. Rather, the true strannik begins by looking within the self, where God already is. While the author does tell us about external pilgrimages such as she herself experienced as a child in Russia, the pilgrimages she is writing about are principally interior. Pilgrimage comes out of a quest for God. Catherine speaks of the "nostalgia for paradise" which all human beings have experienced since Adam and Eve. Without Christ we cannot complete our journey. "Christ was the pilgrim who pilgrimed from the bosom of the Father to the hearts of men and women."

The earth is weeping...How can we heal it? The heavy treads of our modern machinery pound the earth into submission--our society has become expert at efficiently taking from the earth, but what do we give the earth in return? Is this the proper stewardship of the earth that God has entrusted us with? * Concerns are growing about genetically engineered "superfood" and harmful pesticide use. * The current panic over "Mad Cow" and "Foot and Mouth" diseases are a chilling example of the price which we may all pay for our livestock being fed with the cheapest feed instead of what is proper and nutritious. In this remarkably prophetic work, Catherine Doherty helps shed some light on these important issues, with practical, down-to-earth guidance for farmers everywhere--whether you are a backyard gardener or industry professional.