"The Sayings of the Desert Fathers"

"The Sayings of the Desert Fathers", by Benedicta Ward (ISBN 0879079592).

This book is truly one of my most favorite spiritual books. I refer to it time and time again, reread it often, have some of the Desert Fathers' quotations in my icon corner, and my copy of this book is so underlined and highlighted, I should probably seriously consider getting another copy! Out of the myriad of Saints of the Church, the Desert Fathers and Mothers hold a special place in my heart because of their severe asceticism and their incredible selfless devotion to God. The stories and quotations contained in this book show to what heights human beings can ascend to, and are shining examples of what God has called each of us to be. Their humility is mind-boggling to me, and what I truly treasure is that some of the Desert Fathers and Mothers were unlearned peasants, but how their simple spiritual wisdom makes knowledge of worldly things seem like a vain, idle pursuit (it reminds me of the verses of the Akathist to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, Thou Who showest philosophers to be fools; Rejoice, Thou Who exposest the learned as irrational; Rejoice, for the clever critics have become foolish; … Rejoice, Thou Who drawest us from the depths of ignorance; Rejoice, Thou Who enlightenest many with knowledge…”)