Book Review: “Habits for Holiness”

Father Mark-Mary Ames, C.F.R., is a member and priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. This order was founded in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1987. Probably the most famous member of the order is the late Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., who was a psychologist and spiritual writer. 

Father Ames uses his order's way of life as the main example for his book, “Habits for Holiness: small steps for making big spiritual progress.” If you ever wanted to live like a Franciscan without professing religious vows here is a way to do that. He also uses some of his life experiences as examples in the book to show how certain things can be done.

There is an introduction and nine chapters. It is a quick read without hardly any typos or errors. There are no illustrations. There are endnotes. Throughout the book there are several boxes with questions for reflection if one wants to do that.

As a Benedictine monk, I found this book very interesting and inspiring. Although we Benedictines usually stay in one place unlike the Franciscans, what he wrote kind of connected with my Benedictine way of life. He describes how one can use the Franciscan model to live a “spiritual life” that will show how his order live their way of life. 

He encourages people if they want to have their family involved, they can gather for prayer at different times when it is convenient for them and their schedule. He encourages families to eat supper or dinner together without television or other electronic devices to distract from family time. He encourages people to look at the things they have and to get rid of the excess that they can give to the poor. 

They also can volunteer in helping at soup kitchens or other charities. He writes that there are many things in the world competing against a spiritual or moral life; like too much television, social media and commercialism. The world is trying to get you to buy things and own things to make you feel better about yourself, which turns out to not last very long because it is a big lie from the devil.

Ames encourages people to devote some quiet time to pray and just to be in God's presence. He admits this is hard. I would not know how the Franciscans do that in the Bronx with all the noise that goes on in a large city. It is difficult for us Benedictines who usually do not live in large cities to do that too. It is part of their charism.

This book is highly recommended for those looking for a model for a Catholic spiritual life. Father Ames is a young man, and he has a great future in being a spiritual book author.

Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., St. Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.