Staritsa: The Spiritual Motherhood of Catherine Doherty

The present book is the first work to highlight Catherine Dohertys vocation to spiritual motherhood. Drawing upon primary archival sources the author traces Catherines development as a staritsa or spiritual mother in the Russian-Eastern tradition. Of particular interest are the chapters dealing with Catherines exercise of spiritual motherhood for priests and laity alike. Previously unpublished letters of spiritual direction between Catherine and her major spiritual directors offer the reader a privileged glimpse into the soul of this servant of God and her spiritual children as she grows in her vocation as staritsa. For example in one striking letter Catherine describes how she guided a disillusioned young priest who was struggling with a drinking problem and temptations involving young women and was bordering on despair: With clenched teeth I sailed into him first gently almost caressingly calling him back to Christ he once loved then more sternly then quietly. . . . He left full of thanks and some hope . . . . How rare it is to find a work of theology thats both groundbreaking and readable. Guglielmi examines a neglected gift spiritual motherhood as practiced by an underappreciated figure of the last century Catherine Doherty. He provides substantial historical context for understanding both but the narrative never bogs down. This book will be rewarding for academic readers as well as those who wish to grow in the spiritual life following the way of a holy and unusual American Catholic woman. --Mike Aquilina Author of The Witness of Early Christian Women My life was changed by the spiritual motherhood of Catherine de Hueck Doherty. Through the careful selection of her words and his own deep insights Guglielmi invites anyone who reads this book to be challenged nurtured and molded by the spiritual motherhood of this extraordinary woman. --Lorene Hanley Duquin Author of They Called Her the Baroness In Staritsa Guglielmi brings to life the treasure of a remarkable woman. Unique and insightful this book will inspire anyone who cares deeply for the life of the mystical body of Christ--the church. Catherine Doherty a pioneer in the lay apostolate will be of particular interest to laywomen who identify their vocation in the context of lay ecclesial ministry today. --Donna Eschenauer Associate Dean St. Josephs Seminary New York Staritsa is a gift from a spiritual father who clearly has been inspired by Catherine De Hueck Doherty a spiritual mother who lived her love of the church with a passionate and pastoral heart. This is a book that can easily be shared and used for priestly convocations womens retreats days of recollection and self-reflection pondering not only Catherines life but the question How can I too carry the Spirit of God in my life and work? --Dianne Traflet Associate Dean Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology Seton Hall University Donald A. Guglielmi is a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport and currently serves as a spiritual director and Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Josephs Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers NY.