The Joy of Believing by Editions Du Seuil

As a convert from atheism Madeleine Delbrêl — now a Servant of God — arrived near Paris in 1933 with “no secrets and nothing to hide,” as she put it. Her only desire was to live in unconditional openness to the gospel and to become a true neighbor to those living near her, especially the poor. She made friends with people from every stratum of society, believers and nonbelievers alike. In her day-to-day life, she discovered and articulated what is required of the follower of Christ.

This classic spiritual masterpiece consists mainly of Madeleine’s private writings, which joyfully reflect God’s personal love of each and every person. These precious pages include excerpts from her letters, notes, and poetry on daily living the Christian faith in modern culture. You will learn how to cultivate your spiritual life, value sufferings that arise, and more. “A Simple Guide for Simple Christians” will furnish you with priceless maxims on how to grow in prayerful surrender and love of God and neighbor, regardless of your circumstances.

You will also discover:

• How St. Charles de Foucauld’s apostolate changed the world and can be shared by you — now
• The secret to happiness and effectiveness in loving others in every occupation
• Three ways to deeply love the Divine Bridegroom, regardless of your vocation
• Six meditations on daily life to assist you in opening your heart to God’s will and living with joy
• The “spirituality of the bike” (get yourself ready for the ride)
• The practical mysticism contained in the Beatitudes

Madeleine’s intense awareness of God’s reality and presence gave her an ongoing dynamism in her struggles against injustice and unhappiness in all its forms. As she rubbed shoulders with atheists, her love of God grew more and more alive, and she became a model for those grappling with faith. She will inspire you to carry out those twin commandments of loving God and neighbor that she described as “inseparable but distinct.”

Madeleine’s writing is filled with true love, genuine hope, and heartfelt compassion. She will help you fall in love with God and let yourself be loved as His cherished creation. Through her meditations, you will also learn to grow deeper in prayer and to experience the faith that she said is the “temporal commitment of eternal love.”

As one reviewer wrote: “Every person interested in lived Christianity in today’s atheistic culture should find this book worth reading over and over again.”