Reviews
"I always look forward to Fr. Don's insightful daily reflections—a Benedictine balance of wit, acute observation, wisdom, human-kindness and compassion, and warm inclusiveness. Sometimes he challenges, sometimes he offers comfort, but he never fails to be interesting and engaging. Fr. Don's down-to-earth musings shine the light of the Gospel on the ups and downs of daily living. And now to have them in a handy collection—couldn't be better!"
Canon Robin Protheroe, Hon. Assistant Priest, St. Nicholas Church, Brighton, UK
"Fr. Don's writings span the spectrum of human experience and emotion—love and faith and happiness, loss and longing and disappointment . . . [his] reflections come with wisdom that sometimes supersedes those experiences, enabling him to connect with readers on subjects that he has never personally lived."
Dave DeLand, Executive Director, Saint John's University Marketing and Communication
"Bits of wisdom from a life well lived, expressed with elegant simplicity."
John A. Muse, Presbyterian Church USA
"Join this captivating Benedictine monk on his fascinating journey through life. He speaks to every one of us, giving us an understanding of matters concerning our faith. His insightfulness is truly miraculous."
Tom Baldwin, Attorney, Dublin, Ireland
"In such a wise and gentle manner, Father Don provides relevant and motivating messages in Musings. Rooted in Benedictine tradition and the realities of life, his words are a spiritual compass that provide the gift of introspective and focused reflection."
Susan Lynch Vento, CSB/SJU Alumna, Class of '76
"In these Musings, Father Don challenges us, amuses us, and inspires us, sharing his own acute observations about the joys and sorrows, the gifts and problems, of being human. He writes out of a long life lived by the Rule of Saint Benedict and uses his many years as a teacher and his deep working knowledge of the Psalms, the Gospel, and the wealth of the whole Christian tradition to help deepen our sense of what it means to be a Christian and a Catholic in today's challenging world. It's a very useful book, not one to whip through in a single sitting but to read slowly and carefully—a good-natured companion for us on our individual human journeys. It's also a delightful read."
Carolyn J. Dewald, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies, Bard College
"The selections are just right for someone seeking a moment of meditation that will keep them thinking for much longer. They are also an excellent source for that short quote for a discussion or worship aid as they speak of ordinary life experiences and the challenge those experiences offer us for spiritual growth."
American Monastic Newsletter
"With warm humanity and wisdom, and a long lifetime of lived experience, Talafous reveals a loving God, a God of surprises, an 'everyday' God who accompanies us on our life journey through its twists and turns, its ups and downs. His message is for all who seek to live an authentic Christian life."
Tjurunga
"He speaks to all ages as he includes stories about youth through those in wisdom years who are single, married, religious, dealing with all sorts of life experiences and issues. Thought provoking and a good way to end the day."
American Benedictine Review
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