The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything

I just finished reading "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" by James Martin, SJ. It's a delightfully readable explanation of Jesuit life lived according the to Rule of St. Ignatius. It explains those things that most of us who don't live a formal religious life don't quite understand, like celibacy, chastity, obedience, acceptance, suffering, vocation. Using Ignatius' own writings and the stories of Jesuit saints from the Order's founding in 1540, Fr. Martin explains the 'Rules' with a light hand and humorous anecdotes. While the subject matter may be heavy, the reading is not. Fr. Martin then goes on to explain how each Rule can be applied in simple ways to the lives of lay men and women. He shares some of the most imaginative and creative ways the Jesuits use to deepen and enrich their faith, and the skills they develop that enable them to live in community in the modern world. I've tried a few of his suggestions and can tell you that they are not only do-able, but that they work! I give this book a big 'thumbs up' for being both entertaining and practical...not necessarily traits you would award a book about religion!