Becoming Fire - (Cistercian Studies) by Tim Vivian (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this revised edition of Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Tim Vivian arranges the sayings of the desert monks of the fifth and sixth centuries in short daily readings. This volume provides sayings and stories for each day of the year to use for lectio divina; saints and revered persons from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopalian traditions; sayings from the Philokalia and the fourth-fifth century monastic writers Neilos of Ancyra and Hyperechios, among others"--

Book Synopsis

2025 Catholic Media Association Second Place Award, History of Theology, Church Fathers and Mothers

Revised edition of Tim Vivian's Becoming Fire continues to inspire readers with ancient wisdom for modern Christian contemplation.

The sayings of the desert monks of the fifth and sixth centuries continue to inspire readers with their wisdom, and those who read them as the ancients did, slowly and reflectively, still learn from the insights they offer. In this revised edition of Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Tim Vivian arranges these stories in short daily readings and invites readers to savor the monks' advice as guides to Christian living.
This volume provides:

• sayings and stories for each day of the year to use for lectio divina.
• saints and revered persons from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopalian traditions.
• sayings from the Philokalia and the fourth-fifth century monastic writers Neilos of Ancyra and Hyperechios, among others.

In addition, there is a glossary of important monastic terms with cross-references to the fuller glossary in volume two of The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Cistercian Publications, 2023). Perfect for students and enthusiasts of the desert tradition and desert monasticism.

Review Quotes

"This book is beautifully written, with its rich descriptions of each day with multiple Desert Fathers and Mothers. Vivian goes through extensive research to collect the best saying of some of the most influential figures in Christian history. He ties the sayings of each day in with one another, making this work not only an academic source of the writings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, but a book that can be used to grow spiritually. His inclusion of the various Christian calendars adds to the richness of this beautiful work."

Catholic Media Association

"This sort of anthology is a very welcome addition to the shelves of literature one can find on key figures in the history and spirituality of monasticism in both east and west and is an ideal introduction for someone who would like to dip their toe into the waters of desert spirituality but is not sure where to begin. Once again, Tim Vivian has made a useful and readable contribution to the field."
The Downside Review-- (1/1/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"In Becoming Fire Tim Vivian brings together academic expertise and spiritual insight to offer readers a way to begin each day with solid guidance from the desert fathers and mothers. He has carefully selected texts that he knows will be helpful for spiritual growth and arranged them to follow the liturgical year. This book contains fresh, accessible translations of the sayings of the desert fathers and mothers. The glossary contains a wealth of knowledge that will help readers grow in their own understanding of early monasticism."
Sr. Colleen Maura McGrane, OSB, Editor, American Benedictine Review-- (7/29/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Tim Vivian provides us with a great resource for heartfelt pondering. He weaves in stories and sayings from an impressively diverse range of sources and arranges these by the liturgical calendar. Tim is attentive to the flavor of each liturgical season. This is useful for lectio divina and, in the case of my monastery, for readings during the Divine Office. A calendar with sources and a glossary are included. I highly recommend Becoming Fire."
Laura Swan, OSB
-- (7/22/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"The external conditions surrounding our desert monasteries in Egypt have enormously changed since the fourth century. Nevertheless, the spirit of the apothegms endures forever, as it is the same spirit of the Gospel. Tim Vivian's splendid collection of sayings from the desert fathers and mothers allows us--both monks and laypeople--to live each day permeated with their spirit, one that, aflame with divine love, enabled them to traverse this world as sojourners yearning for their true heavenly homeland. Just as they did, we too can embark on life's sacred pilgrimage, guided and comforted by their profound spiritual wisdom."
Fr. Markos el Makari, Monk of the Monastery of Saint Macarius (Egypt)-- (7/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"The delightful sayings here demonstrate that, though many things have changed since the time of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, human nature is not one of them. These sayings remain as fresh and compelling today as they were when they were spoken. Tim Vivian's work is so clear, readable, interesting, thorough, and exhaustively documented. He has that all too rare gift of touching the scholar and the general reader alike."
Gerard Garrigan, OSB, Saint Louis Abbey-- (7/8/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"We are once again indebted to Tim Vivian. Having already translated many of the sayings and stories of the desert fathers and mothers, he would be the first to say that this pithy literature is best pondered in small doses. His latest book does precisely that, offering us the opportunity to reflect on a few sayings or stories for each day of the year. These provide the main course for this feast, but his preface is a welcome appetizer and his thorough glossary might serve as a dessert."
Abbot James Wiseman, OSB, St. Anselm's Abbey, Washington, DC-- (7/9/2024 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Tim Vivian is professor emeritus of religious studies at California State University Bakersfield and a retired priest in the Episcopal Church. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate of divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP, Episcopal) for his scholarship and work for social justice. He has published numerous books, articles, and book reviews on early Christian monasticism, including, with Cistercian Publications, The Life of Antony, Words to Live By, The Holy Workshop of Virtue, Becoming Fire (1st ed.), and The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (vol. 1, 2021; vol. 2, 2023).