Friend of the Soul, A Benedictine Spirituality of Work, by Norvene Vest, Cowley Publications, Cambridge, Boston, MA. 157 pp.

Norvene Vest, an Oblate of St. Andrew's Benedictine Abbey in Valyermo, California, leads her readers into the adventure of integrating our daily work with all of life. Using the Rule of Benedict, she brings insights to our world of work and uses practical examples from everyday to show how our work can be a participation in and continuation of creation. She asks us to envision our work as a holy task.

Addressing stress of performance, overproduction and acquisitiveness, she applies Benedict's perspective of vocation, stewardship and obedience. At the end of each chapter there are exercises for discussion with a group, or for personal journalizing. One area asks us to evaluate our work with the criteria:

Is it useful? Well done? Balanced? Lived as witness to the joy in me?

Demanding but not exhausting? An opportunity for prayer and care?

Another suggestion is to journal on, "If I had infinite, time, talent, and treasure, I would..." and follow this, adding more to your response, as Jesus asks, "What do you seek? What are you looking for?"

There is much meat for thought in this book. Besides being helpful to someone in formation, those experiencing job stress or considering job changes may find this book very helpful.