
Needing refreshment in your faith this summer? Laura Range reviews a short book that will help you go deeper into your relationship with God.
Remain in Me and I in You: Relating to God as a Person, Not an Idea
By Father Wayne Sattler
Published by Sophia Institute Press
Looking for a summer read that will feed your faith, yet not sure how much time you have to devote to a book in between your busy schedule? I have a great pick for you. Remain in Me and I in You: Relating to God as a Person, Not an Idea by Father Wayne Sattler felt like a mini-retreat for me these past couple weeks yet was an easy, quick read. Incidentally, Father Sattler himself says the book was written based on most of his talks and notes from retreats he has given in the past.
Divided into three sections — Knowing God, Loving God, Serving God — Remain in Me and I in You goes back to the basics of our purpose in life yet dives deeper into them. Too often we live as though God were just an “idea” or concept, our faith something to check off our list each day in order to be a good Catholic mom. Yet God is a Person, a Person who wants to be in intimate relationship with each one of us, to pour out His gifts to His beloved daughters in our daily lives. This paradigm shift can be particularly transformational in our prayer lives, to be instead of to do, to seek His Face and receive the peace He offers. Prayer becomes union with our Friend and Lover, a gift rather than a task, when we remember we are praying to a Person, not an idea. This part of the book was something that especially stuck with me.
Gentle Spiritual Direction
Remain in Me and I in You had a pleasant, conversational feel yet had me pondering its pages even when I wasn’t reading. There were many great quotes from my favorite saints and authors and I appreciated the personal stories Father Sattler shared as well. Father Sattler was a diocesan hermit for several years, a pastor of a parish for many, and now a spiritual director for his diocese. If you find yourself desiring some gentle spiritual direction this summer, this might be the perfect book for you!
Ask for Remain in Me and I in You at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Sophia Institute Press.
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Copyright 2025 Laura Range
Images: Canva
About the Author

Laura Range
Laura Range is an RN-turned-SAHM living in rural Ohio. A wife and mother of 3 (plus one in heaven), she is passionate about marriage and family life, redeeming the culture, and cultivating community. She enjoys cooking (and eating) tasty food, crafting and DIY, good books, little moments, and keeping it real. She runs a local miscarriage ministry and blogs at Life is Beautiful.
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