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Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home, and a Living Faith Paperback – September 9, 2013

by Judith Valente (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 148 ratings
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In this meditative spiritual memoir, Judith Valente, noted PBS religion journalist and acclaimed poet, invites readers along on her transformative pilgrimages to Mount St. Scholastica monastery in Atchison, Kansas. The Benedictine sisters who invited Valente presented her with a view of monastic life and wisdom that brought spiritual healing to her fast-paced lifeand promises to do the same for her readers.
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  1. Print length
    181 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sorin Books
  4. Publication date
    September 9, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.6 x 0.49 x 8.48 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1933495588
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1933495583
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Valente (Twenty Poems to Nourish Your Soul) is a rara avis—a poet and journalist. Her spiritual memoir is happily rooted in the heartland: Atchison, Kans., the city that Mount St. Scholastica, a community of Benedictine nuns, has called home since 1863. Valente goes to Mount St. Scholastica to lead a workshop on poetry, and then returns, again and again. The hospitable Midwest community of women religious is also, for Valente, a crossroads for her own spiritual life, a place for self-confrontation and growing awareness. The rhythms of life and liturgy and the quietly remarkable residents of Mount St. Scholastica create spiritual openings for the author. Women religious live, pray, and die in their community, affording Valente opportunities to face her own fears, resentments, and hopes. Her journalistic witness of the community of women is also a witness of moving faith. This honest and deeply reflective book, which implicitly critiques the myths of success by which so many live and are haunted, deserves a wide audience. Agent: Michele Rubin, Writers House. (Sept.)

From Booklist

An award-winning PBS religion journalist discovers the errors of her hard-driving ways while taking up a quest to discover inner peace with the Benedictine Sisters at their retreat, Mount St. Scholastica monastery, in Atchison, Kansas. Valente admits to struggling with intense anger that at times has alienated her from family members. During her quest to cultivate tolerance and foster tools for connecting with others, she joyfully encounters an assortment of endearing characters: one nun who fearlessly drives off to a hair appointment despite tornado warnings, others who shave the wax droplets from candles to keep their sanctuary in perfect sacred order, several who make communion wine, and a nun well into her nineties who refuses to contemplate death and thinks only of living. This sometimes painfully honest and well-written account details the numerous insights to be gained by taking time to learn essential lessons of unconditional love and acceptance. --Susan DeGrane

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sorin Books; First Edition (September 9, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 181 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1933495588
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933495583
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.6 x 0.49 x 8.48 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 148 ratings

About the author

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Judith Valente

Judith Valente

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Judith Valente is an award-winning author, poet, and journalist. She is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader on living a more contemplative life, discovering inner wisdom through poetry, and finding meaning in your work. She is a lay associate of the Benedictine monastery Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, which is the subject of her award-winning 2013 memoir, "Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home and a Living Faith," chosen by Religion Newswriters Association as one of the three best spirituality books of that year. Her new book "How to Be: A Monk & a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship" is a dialogue between two spiritual seekers exploring life'scomplex questions. Her co-author is Brother Paul Quenon, a Trappist monk of the famous Abbey of Gethsemani who knew the great spirituality author, Thomas Merton.

Her 2018 book, "How to Live: What The Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community" has been used by book group members throughout the world seeking to live a more contemplative life in the secular world. She is also co-author with Brother Paul Quenon of "The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed," winner of a 2013 Catholic Press Association Award.

She is a former on-air correspondent who covered faith and values for Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly on national PBS-TV. She also worked as a staff writer for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal and was twice a finalist for the Pulizter Prize in journalism. She has won numerous broadcast awards, including two Edward R, Murrow Awards, arising from her work as senior correspondent and investigative reporter for the NPR affiliate, GLT Radio. She also was a correspondent for Chicago Public Radio. She currently contributes articles to National Catholic Reporter and U.S. Catholic magazine.

Ms. Valente is also a poet whose poetry chapbook, "Inventing An Alphabet," was chosen by Mary Oliver for the 2005 national Aldrich Poetry Prize. Her second collection, "Discovering Moons," was published in 2009.

Ms. Valente holds a B.A in English and classical languages from St. Peter's University in Jersey City, NJ, and an MFA in creative writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is married to former Illinois Judge Charles Reynard, also a poet, with whom she co-edited the 2005 anthology, "Twenty Poems to Nourish Your Soul," winner of an Eric Hoffer Book citation. The couple operates an alfalfa farm in central Illinois, where Judith is a member of the Grand Prairie Master Naturalists, a group that cares for the Illinois prairie.She is also vice president of the International Thomas Merton Society.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
148 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

RachelLynne
5.0 out of 5 stars Ah, such memories...
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2013
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I purchased this book because its siting is Atchison, KS...it has brought back sooooo many memories. I attended my first two years of college at Mt. St. Scholastica...Sister Kathleen Egan, mentioned several times in the book, was my dorm proctor my sophomore year (and my speech teacher). Two of the sisters listed, Prioress Anne Shephard and Rita Killackey, were classmates of mine. I was thoroughly impressed in knowing the sisters who taught me were PhDs...they were the first women I knew who had advanced degrees! I often strolled on the road surrounding the sisters' cemetery...and heard the tolling of the bell when a deceased sister's body made it way from the funeral in the chapel to the cemetery...it was the most formative two years of my life. I remember Sister Kieran, who practically danced in front of the class telling us about Vatican II...I attended Holy Week services in the sisters' chapel...but I don't remember the "Atchison blue" stained glass windows at all (perhaps because the services were at night?)...

Thanks to Judith Valente for not just bringing back such strong and deep memories...but for also probing Benedictine life (I've never forgotten "Ora et Labora"), death, and spiritual life.

And what a juxtaposition...today I watched this past Sunday's edition of Religion and Ethics Weekly. Valente interviewed poet Christian Wiman whose book "My Bright Abyss" I'm reading at the same time as "Atchison Blue"...coincidence? No...definitely synchronicity...what a wonderful week of reading!

I will be re-reading both books PRN...
4 people found this helpful
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Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars A great portrait of a great place
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2013
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This is a delightful and thought-filled book; a book that will transport you to a place with seemingly ordinary women living their monastic vocation with extra-ordinary grace and depth. Valente shares her own struggles and pain with candor and humility. The relationships that she forms with these women over her many visits deepen her insight into Benedictine spirituality as well as her own journey as a journalist, a spouse, a poet and a seeker. The women you will meet in these pages are warm, caring, funny, wise and, "a little nutty." Their stories and Valente's own story weave into a beautiful text that is a joy to read.
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rednun
4.0 out of 5 stars A Metaphor for Growth
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2014
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Atchison Blue by Judith Valente
A Book Review

This book is about the beginning of a spiritual journey of one who is seeking God. Judith Valente met her spiritual mothers and thus begins the journey. She found herself drawn to return again and again for spiritual nourishment.
Atchison Blue refers to the blue stained glass windows in the choir chapel which over time have faded into their own special hue. This is an excellent metaphor for the path of change and growth which the author experiences.
It is very well-written, as one would expect from a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
I confess, however, I did find myself a bit irked at what she had to say about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For the most part it is true that it is falling into disuse. What she says does not help those struggling Catholics who want to continue with it. II wish she would have said something about the need for education in this area. I personally have found the Sacrament of Reconciliation a tremendous source of healing, compassion, forgiveness, and growth.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy the book and would love a sequel in which she is reconciled with her stepdaughters. That may seem unrealistic, but I disagree. This is the first time I have read a book in which I knew the place (and even been there a number of times), and also have met the author. I never thought that would happen either.

Sister Marva J. Hoeckelman, OSB
7 people found this helpful
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Michael Bowden
5.0 out of 5 stars Where the pray-er becomes the prayer
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2013
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It's practical and personal. It is an insider's view by and outsider. It takes the reader on a shared journey. The simplicity of the sisters, the challenge of their full lives emerges gracefully. Eternal truths are made available to the everyday man or woman. Valente asks the crucial question for those of us not living in a monastery: “Can a person live a contemplative life outside of a monastic setting?” [p 99] She explains how Benedictines have discovered that the so-called distinction between contemplation and everyday life is a false dichotomy. Valente quotes Sr Thomasita who has resolved this dilemma: “Some of the most contemplative moments have come from when I’m dancing … In the movement of the dance … I could feel the presence of God”. Valente points to one of the characters in the film Chariots of Fire who says: “When I run I breathe in God”. [p 99] It's an inspiring read.
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Dena
5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put this book down!
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2013
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This was an amazing experience! The honesty and tenderness of this book is so refreshing! It gives the reader a chance to experience the life of a monastic community in all its dailyness and the profound effect this ancient way of life has had on the author. I felt like a close trusted friend as she wrote about her yearning for "conversatio", or conversion of life, and the changes that would require in her own attitudes toward her family and workplace. I felt like I was reading a very private, poetic journal and it was indeed a privilege.
11 people found this helpful
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Amazon CustomerGram
3.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunate honesties
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2013
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There is material I delighted in reading in this book as I enjoy reading about the journey people take as they move closer to God. Ms Valente is a skillful communicator; I liked her style. However, like one of the other reviewers, I was discomfited by some of the public honesty---comments about the author's stepdaughters,etc. As a Bendictine myself who lives in transparency with those whom I am vowed in our monastery, I cannot imagine exposing the weaknesses of others in the midst of sharing my own fallen nature. I commend Ms Valente for her openness about herself, but caution her frankness about others........it is a practice to be learned and cultivated as we all are capable of saying more than we should...as maybe I just have!
30 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprises in spiritual living!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2014
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Excellent book, well written. Recommend it to anyone seeking to find a way to incorporate spiritual practices into everyday life.
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