Finding Peace in the Storm

Sister Christina M. Neumann, OSF, discusses Dan Burke's modern reading of a spiritual classic by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri.

When I saw the title of this book, Finding Peace in the Storm: Reflections on St. Alphonsus Liguori's Uniformity with God's Will, and that it was based on Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s work, I was intrigued. I have long been a fan of this eighteenth century Italian saint for the beautiful reflections he has penned on topics such as the incarnation and passion. This book’s author, Dan Burke, was the one, however, who really introduced me to the saint’s teaching on “Uniformity with God’s Will.” 

I don’t know about you, but this topic is one that I find difficult to wrap my mind around. I guess that’s why we call it a mystery. I guess you might say it’s one of those things that I’ve come to accept and knowledge in faith, realizing that God knows infinitely better than I do and any difficulty I find is due to my human limitations.     

I will admit that the conclusion of this book did not find me much further along the path of understanding, but this may be due largely to my own disposition; I’m not much of a philosopher. In some ways, I prefer more concrete writings.     

This isn’t to say that the saint doesn’t use concrete examples, but I found the topic at large to be one beyond my ability to easily take in. I’m a Franciscan, so like our founder, reflections on the Passion, Incarnation, and Eucharist are more up my alley. I find them easier to digest.     

Nonetheless, those of you who are more gifted in pondering the theoretical may find this modern-day interpretation of Saint Alphonsus’ work on God’s will very inspirational.     

The chapters cover: the Excellence of this Virtue, Uniformity in all Things, Happiness Deriving from Perfect Uniformity, God Wills our Good, Special Practices of Uniformity, Spiritual Desolation, and a conclusion with various appendices and resources. Throughout the work, Burke offers a sprinkling of his own comments and interpretations in attempt to help the modern reader understand a work written almost 300 years ago. He uses a more up-to-date translation of the work to further this purpose.   

Ask for Finding Peace in the Storm at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Sophia Institute Press.

Copyright 2023 Sr. Christina Marie Neumann, OSF
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.