Our book this year will be ‘Falling Upward’ by Richard Rohr, a Roman Catholic Franciscan priest and writer on spirituality based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was ordained in 1970, founded the New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati in 1971, and the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque in 1987. In 2011, the US Public Broadcasting Service described him as "one of the most popular spirituality authors and speakers in the world".

The book's key idea is that we grow more spiritually by doing it wrong than by doing it right. Richard Rohr offers a new understanding of one of life’s most profound mysteries: how our failing can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Drawing on the wisdom from time-honoured myths, heroic poems, great thinkers and sacred religious texts, he explores the two halves of life to show that those who have fallen, failed, or ‘gone down’ are the only ones who understand ‘up’. 

“Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change. In fact, God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change is the experience of love. It is that inherent experience of love that becomes the engine of change.” Richard Rohr

Follow more of Richard Rohr's teachings via the podcast series, ‘Everything Belongs’. 

The book is available on Amazon. Please order your copy as soon as possible, but let Fr Louis know if you need help getting a copy. There will be an opportunity to share our reflections on the book later in Lent.