Staritsa : The Spiritual Motherhood Of Catherine Doherty

Both groundbreaking and readable, this book examines a neglected gift, spiritual motherhood, and traces Catherine Doherty’s development as a staritsa, or spiritual mother in the Russian-Eastern tradition. Of particular interest are chapters dealing with Catherine’s 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Previously unpublished letters of spiritual direction between Catherine and her major spiritual directors offer the reader a privileged glimpse into the soul of this Servant of God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. A spiritual mother who lived her love of the Church with a passionate and pastoral heart, Catherine de Hueck Doherty will inspire readers who care deeply for the life of the Mystical Body of Christ-the Church.

This is a book that can easily be shared and used for priestly convocations, women’s retreats, days of recollection, and self-reflection, pondering not only Catherine’s life, but the question, “How can I, too, carry the Spirit of God in my life and work?”