From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
December 24, 2025
Caryll Houselander’s The Reed of God
This spiritual classic is currently being featured on the Hallow App, via the 2025 “Advent Challenge,” narrated by Jonathan Roumie and Sr. Miriam, thus making it attractive and known to a new generation of the faithful. The book, originally published in 1944, is a sustained reflection on the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God, in poetry and in prose. The 2020 edition by Ave Maria Press, includes a brief forward by a Catholic theologian and reflection questions for personal or group study. Houselander’s approach to her subject can be defined as theological as well as devotional. It is also decidedly Christ-centered.
Houselander was born in England, in 1901. She was baptized a Catholic at the age of six, when her mother converted to the Catholic Church. Her parents divorced when she was nine years old and she abandoned the practice of the Catholic faith as a teenager. Many of her contemporaries saw her as an odd character, who was socially isolated in many respects. She is remembered as having smoked, drank, and frequently used sharp language with others. She dated for a time and hoped to marry a man who eventually left her for another. She remained single for the rest of her life. Should returned to the practice of her Catholic Faith at the age of 25, and died of cancer in 1954, at the age of 53. She was also a mystic, with a talent for conveying spiritual truth in a modern context. She was particularly empathetic to the sufferings of others and was sought out by many who wished to share their burdens with her.
The author uses many contemporary stories and examples to convey ancient truths about the spiritual life—the Christian life. And her purpose is not only to reflect on the witness of the Blessed Virgin, but through her meditations, to lead us to Jesus Christ. The title of the book is explained early in the text and is particularly appropriate for the Advent and Christmas seasons, as Mary is described as, “…a reed through which the Eternal Love was to be piped as a shepherd’s song.” (p.7) This is a splendid work for anyone, Catholic as well as non-Catholic, sincerely looking to understand the role of the Blessed Virgin in the Divine plan of salvation.
This book is available at:
https://inhisname.com/products/reed-of-god-40848?_pos=1&_psq=the+reed&_ss=e&_v=1.0
