This stunningly beautiful book is the autobiography of Mother Veronica Namoyo, written and shared only by order from her superior. She was the child of atheists, yet felt herself encountering a presence repeatedly in her life that eventually led to conversion and a complete dedication of herself as a Poor Clare nun in Algiers.
Suddenly the sky over me and in some way around me, as I was on a small hillock, was all afire. The glory of the sunset was perhaps reflected in the myriads of particles of powdery sand still floating in the air. It was like an immense, feathery flame all scarlet from one pole to the other, with touches of crimson and, on one side, of deep purple. I was caught in limitless beauty and radiant, singing splendor. And at the same time, with a cry of wonder in my heart, I knew that all this beauty was created, I knew GOD. (p. 30)
The book ends with her entrance to the convent, but her life as a nun seems to be have been full and momentous. I would dearly love to read a biography of her time within the convent as well, though I recognize my curiosity is unlikely to be assuaged in this life.
Kneeling in cotton stockings, listening to these still foreign expressions and looking at the veiled forms beyond the threshold, I was conscious of an almost infinite distance between when I was and what I was supposed to be. But the grain of wheat had to be buried. I went to the other side, and an enormous key turned grindingly in the lock. (p. 182)
Later that night, as she knew alone in her cell, she could hardly pray. She said only "You wanted me here, and here I am." (p. 182)
This would be an excellent choice for a supplemental geography book in Level 5 or 6 alongside the study of Africa. Descriptions of the life and people of Morocco and Algeria are interwoven with her story.
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