Book Review: Growing in Virtue, One Vice at a Time

Maria V. Gallagher reviews a new book by Sister Mary Lea Hill, FSP: a down-to-earth approach to living a good life.

I must admit: I am a fan of “The Crabby Mystic.” 

That is the nickname of Sr. Mary Lea Hill, FSP, who is a down-to-earth Sister who truly tells it like it is — and, furthermore, how it should be. 

Sister’s latest work is a real gem. Growing in Virtue, One Vice at a Time: With a Crabby Mystic is like a gourmet meal for the soul, filled with tantalizing treats. The author does an outstanding job of explaining the meaning of the virtues, why they are essential for a good life, and what can be done, in concrete terms, to achieve them. 

I remember one time chastising myself for my lack of common sense. I thought I should have been named Prudence so I would remember to exercise restraint in important matters. Now comes Sr. Mary Lea with a chapter titled, “Don’t Name Your Daughter Prudence.” So I have to admit, yet again, that I have been on the wrong track. Sister’s point is that such a name could leave the poor girl battling bullies who accuse her of being a prude. Definitely something to consider, if you are in the market for baby names. 

But I digress. Growing in Virtue made me stop and assess the areas I need to work on in my journey through life. Am I just in the manner in which I deal with my co-workers? Do I demonstrate fortitude in my daily duties? Am I exhibiting temperance in my eating habits? (The prior reference to a gourmet meal may give you some indication where I stand on that front.) 

Over the years, I have struggled mightily with the vice of anger. As a result, I was particularly captivated by Sister’s take on “Theresian Anger.” She’s referring to the saintly Little Flower, and how that young woman of heroic virtue once became so impatient she was bathed in perspiration (a hot-house flower, perhaps?).  

When the nun behind Thérèse in chapel began clicking her Rosary beads, Thérèse just about reached her breaking point. But she dealt nobly with her frustration, as Sister quotes on p. 108: 

I tried to love the little noise which was so displeasing; instead of trying not to hear it (impossible). I paid close attention so as to hear it well, as though it were a delightful concert, and my prayer (which was not the Prayer of Quiet) was spent in offering this concert to Jesus.  

Growing in Virtue is one of those books you can savor in an Adoration chapel or in your favorite reading chair at home. Sister offers us much to ponder in her deep, yet pithy, prose. It is the type of book I believe that I will turn to again and again for reinforcement as I walk the spiritual path. 

Focusing on Virtue over Vice

Scroll through your daily news feed and you easily can become despondent over the vices that inhabit our fallen world. There is much misery all around and it seems to be increasing by the day. One thing that is in our power is the ability to say “Yes” to God when He asks us to mend our own broken ways. We may not be able to rid the world of its chaos, but we can, working in concert with the Lord, begin to chip away at the rigid defects within our souls. And that can give us a great deal of hope.  

Leave it to the Crabby Mystic to cheer us onto the road to holiness. In Growing in Virtue, she provides the road map to take us to our heavenly home.    

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