The Seventh Gift: The Early Years of the Little Monk

For every person who laughed and cried over Paulist's best-selling Little Monk comes a delightful "prequel" that traces one critical year in the beloved character's history. In this timeless parable, which stands on its own, the Little Monk is a first-year novice in the monastery of Maloo, where his serenity is darkened by the battle between good and evil. Evil forces tempt him, but though he resists, he finds himself haunted by the past and is eventually put on trial in the world outside the protective walls of Maloo. Combining poetry, proverbs, stories and enlightening incidents, the book investigates the theme of God's continual presence during all the seasons of a year, as well as throughout the darkest struggles in life. In addition, it subtly explores some of the gifts of spiritual formation: silence, solitude, serenity, simplicity, singleheartedness, service and scripture. These are practical lessons told with childlike simplicity and a charming and engaging style. Like the Little Monk, we all have a "God-shaped hole" in our lives. This book helps fill it, especially for anyone interested in spirituality, spiritual formation, monasticism, Benedictine spirituality, the spiritual disciplines, story theology, or Christian fiction. It also makes a wonderful gift for any and all occasions.