Happiness in God - (Monastic Wisdom) by Marie-Gérard DuBois (Paperback)

About the Book

"Memories and reflections from the abbot of La Trappe, Dom Marie-Gâerard Dubois, with stories of the dramatic changes in the Strict Observance of the Cistercian Order and the diverse group of men who entered the Order at that time, including WWII veterans, Holocaust survivors, and members of the French literary elite, and why they decided to become monks"--

Book Synopsis

This is a rich collection of memories and reflections from the long-time abbot of La Trappe, Dom Marie-Gérard Dubois, OCSO. Starting with his entry into monastic life, he walks the reader through the dramatic changes in the Strict Observance of the Cistercian Order, including its liturgical reform and developments in the role of lay brothers. Dom Dubois also shares stories about the diverse group of men who entered the Order at that time, including WWII veterans, Holocaust survivors, and members of the French literary elite, and why they decided to become monks. His stories offer a fascinating inside view into twentieth-century Cistercian life.

Review Quotes

"This book is a treasure close at hand to enrich every one of us, and many thanks to the two translators who have presented such a readable text to the English-speaking world."
Cistercian Studies Quarterly

"A deeply engaging and delightfully personalized glimpse into genuine monastic life and experience, including his own meaningful path to La Trappe. Much more than a memoir, Dubois's book whets our appetite to taste and see the conversatio morum of Trappist community, so personally and profoundly spread before us as though at table with the brothers. The English translation captures the narrative and insight of Dubois beautifully."F. Tyler Sergent, Associate Professor of History and General Studies. Berea College, Kentucky

"If you ever wondered what life is like in a monastery this is the book for you. Here is a man who lived the monastic life for sixty-four years in which he was abbot twenty-six of those years. Entering the monastery in 1947 he knew the `old' intimately. He embraced Vatican II with open arms and was a leader not only in his own community as Abbot but also on the international scene at our General Chapters. He had the ability to take complex questions and break them down to their essentials. Abbot Gerard lived through some of the most important times of monastic and church history and he lived it with grace and integrity. If he lived during the era of the Desert Fathers, he would have been considered an elder whose words would have been passed on from generation to generation."Fr. Brendan Freeman, New Melleray Abbey, Iowa

"The fifteen chapters are not only spiritual reflections on topics of interest to monastics, but a commentary on the turbulent times in Catholicism leading up to and following Vatican II. The insightful and pastoral words of the abbot provide a wisdom not limited to the nostalgic past, but a path through the issues facing a contemporary Church and secular society."
Catholic Library World