featured image

Maria V. Gallagher finds renewed hope for the spiritual journey in a new memoir by Ralph Martin.


A Life in the Spirit: A Memoir

by Ralph Martin

Publisher: Emmaus Road Publishing

 

When I finish a good book, I experience the same feeling I get when I enjoy a scrumptious dinner: I take a deep breath, sigh, and wish I could hit a button labeled “repeat” and do it all again. 

That’s my take on the new memoir, A Life in the Spirit by noted Catholic evangelist Ralph Martin. 

 

null

 

I have to admit up front: I am a Ralph Martin fangirl. It all started when I saw his show on the Eternal Word Television Network. I could tell that EWTN’s Mother Angelica had found quite a treasure in Martin, who has a humble, yet highly compelling, manner in which he discusses the Catholic faith. 

I then read his epic book on spirituality, The Fulfillment of All Desire. In fact, despite its hefty weight, I read it a number of times. It is just so moving and so helpful in guiding the reader on the spiritual journey. 

 

A desperate search for truth

In A Life in the Spirit, Martin chronicles his “desperate search for truth.”  

He writes that his focus on the spiritual journey only came about as a result of a conversion experience: 

While I was immersed in my academic career, the agony of not knowing truth, not finding ultimate meaning, and not encountering ultimate and external love was tearing me apart. (24-25)

 

Then he went on a Cursillo weekend, and his life would never be the same. 

Cursillo is a Spanish word for “little course.” It is a lay-led movement which originated in Spain and is now a worldwide phenomenon. The weekend includes talks, faith sharing, prayer, and activities designed to help retreatants draw closer to Christ. 

The Cursillo weekend served as a game-changer for Martin:

As the Cursillo ended that evening and I was surrounded by people I had come to admire and love, I felt a strong inrushing of love: love for God, love from God, love for people, love from people. God’s love was being poured into my soul, and it ignited a flame, a fire, that has continued to grow to this day. (26) 

 

Those who have experienced the love of the Lord in a whole new way as a result of making a Cursillo will find that Martin’s words resonate in a most beautiful fashion. 

Martin’s life took a dramatic turn toward serving the Lord — but it was not without its challenges. He has come to see such crosses as bridges toward his ultimate heavenly home. In orienting his life toward Christ, the pieces gradually fell into place, leading to a fulfilling life of teaching, parenting, and grandparenting. 

 

A deep prayer life

A Life in the Spirit truly soars when Martin discusses the depth of his prayer life. His morning routine includes gazing at an icon of Jesus the Pantocrator (which is Greek for “Almighty” or “All Powerful.”). 

It always reminds me of the profound reality of the presence of Jesus and who he is. Sometimes, I feel that he is looking at me with slight reproach — but always with love and out of friendship — if I have been culpably distracted in prayer time. Often, I feel he is looking at me and calling me into deeper knowledge and love of him. Whenever I look at him, I feel loved, called, grateful, and in awe. (164)

 

Such lovely words to live by! Read A Life in the Spirit and chances are you will find new ways to dance with the Lord!     

 

null


Ask for A Life in the Spirit at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, St. Paul Center.

 

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.


Copyright 2024 Maria V. Gallagher
Images: Canva
This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way.