LIGHT THROUGH THE CRACK
On Becoming Transformed
September 29th, 2006
“The cracked clay of our lives reveals incredible light within”
— from Sr. Sue’s dedication in Light Through the Crack: Life After Loss
Sister Sue Mosteller’s book entitled
Light Through the Crack follows the stories of seven friends who suffered severe losses and who, through their pain discovered new growth within themselves.
Sister Sue explained how Claire’s story inspired the writing of the book. “In accompanying Claire as she lived through the heart transplant, I realized that a lifelong spiritual journey is like the story of having a heart transplant. God says in Ezekiel, “I will take from your body your heart of stone, and I will give you a heart of flesh.” This is comparable to the removal of a damaged heart for a healthy heart – but in the spiritual life, it takes, not a few hours, but a lifetime! Losing our heart of stone is a drastic measure, but receiving a heart of flesh empowers us with new energy for love. So, the transplant, like a transformation, is wonderful. But a heart of flesh is fragile too, and one needs support to keep it healthy. ”
She doesn’t see herself as a writer, despite the three books she has penned: “I am a storyteller. And I wanted to tell these stories because the people in them who emerge more fully human, are just like me. Their stories deeply touch my life.”
Challenged by her publisher to put herself in the book, Sr. Sue wrote a preamble to every story with her reasons for its inclusion, explaining, “By doing this, I tell the reader that I have personally connected with the story, and my hope is that the reader will also find connections with his or her own story. The result is a book that deals on many levels with issues we all struggle with.
The author is a Sister of St. Joseph of Toronto, a congregation that has as its mission serving those in need in simplicity and compassion. She is also the executrix of Henri Nouwen’s estate and an active participant of the L’Arche community, an international network of faith-based communities for people with developmental difficulties.
To obtain a copy of this book, published by Doubleday, contact Daybreak Publications at
Tel: 905-884-3454 Ext 234
or 1-800-853 1412
email: pubs@larchedaybreak.com
Order online
For more information on Sister Sue, click here
See book review by Beth Porter in final issue (November 26, 2006) of Catholic New Times, page 18.
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