Houselander was a woman after my own heart -- a revert, a misanthrope, a former bohemian, and even, for a period of her life, in love with the wrong man. Her friend and biographer, the Catholic writer and publisher Maisie Ward, referred to her as a "divine eccentric." She is someone I would have dearly liked to know in life, and whom I hope to know one day in heaven, and I pray for her guidance in my life, as well as for her canonization.
More here, and here, with other sources cited.
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11 comments:
Thanks for this heads' up. The Reed of God was a joyful surprise to me. It's unfortunate for us she didn't write more. She probably had some fascinating stories to tell. I would probably be intimidated by her, though, if she showed up at the table of "10 people living or dead with whom you'd like to have lunch."
I have a few collections of children's stories that she wrote _Catholic Stories for Boys & Girls_ and _More Catholic Stories for Boys & Girls_ which my children and I have greatly enjoyed.
She also did wonderful wood cuttings for a children's version of Ignatius's exercises called _My Path to Heaven_ (formerly _A Retreat with St. Ignatius in Pictures for Children_)
I ended up buying copies of this book for all my children (and I must admit that I've found it more useful for myself then the tranlation of Ignatius's exercises that I also own).
(all republished by Sophia Press)
As Ekbell suggests, she was actually pretty prolific. I didn't know that many of her books were in print - thanks for the heads-up.
Oh, yes, I second recommendations for both Catholic Stories for Boys and Girls -- which my older son, with some help from a friend of ours, bought for my younger son for his last birthday -- and My Path to Heaven, which is one of the most beautiful, powerful books I have ever encountered, largely because of the Houselander illustrations.
Whoops, I don't pray for her conversion, but for her canonization! Freudian typo; must fix it.
Thanks for the link! I love Caryll!
Thanks. I will have to investigate this woman's story. You make her sound like exactly the kind of person in whom I am most interested.
She's right up your alley, Rodak. Oh, and she was also a chain-smoker.
That's interesting. Simone Weil was a chain-smoker, as well. Maybe I was wrong to give up my four-packs-a-day habit?
I think they smoked *in spite of* their holiness. I'm very glad you quit!!!!
I dunno...maybe it was like a cilice?
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