In her introduction to this fine collection of essays from St. Gregory's Abbey, Esther de Waal writes that the abbey "is a prophetic place: it comes from a great monastic tradition, it is part of the Anglican Communion, it increasingly has a vocation to lay people, and it lies in a rootedness to the past which is a strength for the present and a promise for the future." The story of how the community came into existence and survived is one with heroic moments. The dedication to the Daily Office while tending other parishes, tending to farm work, dealing with all sorts of difficult and sometimes amusing situations that arise, is inspiring.

Often I have found books on the history of a particular convent or monastery to be of interest only to those who have a relationship with the foundation. Singing God's Praises is an exception. The writers of this collection of excellent essays include Dom Gregory Dix, who played a key role in the early success of the monastery, and other literate and fascinating people like Fr. Benedict Reid, the first Abbot, Prior Aelred Glidden, and Abbot Andrew Marr. If you enjoyed Kathleen Norris' The Cloister Walk or Amazing Grace, you will enjoy Singing God's Praises. The essays are brief, but delve profoundly into matters of faith, prayer, seasons of the church, and other important issues. They are punctuated with exquisite pictures of the monastery and its lovely surroundings.

In the middle of the book, which is divided into three sections, Andrew Marr has written an excellent and at times compelling history of the monastery. The other two sections are entitled "Benedictine Life" and "Christian Life." Singing God's Praises is available by writing St. Gregory's Abbey, 56500 Abbey Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093-9595 and enclosing a check for $20, which includes postage.

(The Rev.) Kenneth J. G. Semon

Phoenix, Ariz.