Thomas H. GROOME. Faith for the Heart, A “Catholic” Spirituality. New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2019. Pp. 295. $21.95 pb. ISBN 978-0-8091-5466-1. Reviewed by Francis BERNA, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA 19141.

 Just before opening Thomas Groome’s book, I had a conversation with an undergraduate student. The Covid-19 pandemic had him again living under his parent’s roof. Besides having to adjust to the family schedule, he was struggling with the parental expectation that he join the family in front of the television for Mass on Sundays. He struggled with a faith well-learned through Catholic education and externally imposed. Our conversation turned toward his feelings and the matters of his heart.

 Particularly while reading the first chapters of this book, I would daydream about engaging this young man, or perhaps he and a group of his peers, with a shared reading and discussion. Groome invites the reader to “pause for reflection” in each chapter. On misses the point if they simply read the text cover to cover without pondering faith and spirituality as a matter of the heart.

Moving through the text I came to have some doubts about the practicality of my dreaming. The doubts arose not from a deficiency in the text, but from its strength. Faith for the Heart offers a spirituality that incorporates some of the most significant theologians of the Christian faith. Charles Taylor frames the text in terms of our post-modern culture. Groome draws on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Heidegger, and Elizabeth Johnson to explore the human hunger for freedom. Bernard Lonergan and Karl Rahner come into play as the author explains our hunger for holiness as our hunger for human authenticity. While Groome incorporates the insights of these great theologians with tremendous clarity, it might overwhelm the younger reader. With the same clarity he draws on the work of Thomas Aquinas, fine information for readers of every age.

 Most appropriately the author puts the word “Catholic” in quotation marks as the title for his work. While Groome has as his first intention a Catholic reader, he explains various Catholic traditions, customs, and theology with a solid ecumenical perspective. He recognizes the contribution of the Reformers and suggests the values of certain Catholic perspectives for a lively Christian faith in the world today. Connecting the seven sacraments to the ordinary life of believers helps one appreciate the sacramental character of life whether one believes in seven or two sacraments.

 Similarly, though sometimes appreciated as distinctively Catholic, the ecclesial and communal dimension of Christian spirituality runs deep in the text. Groome underlines this in his exploration of the trinitarian nature of Christian life as well as in his final chapter regarding Catholic politics as a hunger for justice. Part one of the book concentrates on the more personal hungers of the heart searching for God while the second part emphasizes living a spirituality in the church and for the world. In this section he also frequently draws on the writings of recent popes, and most especially Pope Francis.

                The Christian life, most often externally imposed in our childhood, can grow to an authentic adult spirituality. The external forces often create a faith grounded in creed and institutional commitment. External forces can often ground a commitment to service, a love in deed. Groome spends time with what he sees as the often-overlooked theological virtue of hope. Each chapter incorporates a section, “Hope for Our Hearts.” Chapter nine provides a wonderful connection between hope and the gift of the Sabbath.

 Priests, ministers, catechists, and adult Christian believers who seek to deepen their spiritual life will benefit from this book. Readers will enjoy the heartfelt and heartful stories told with all the charm of an Irish story-teller that introduce the rich theology. Those who “pause for reflection” will find hope that strengthens a “faith for the heart.” While I will not impose the book on my young student, I do look forward to a conversation that begins with life, speaks of faith, and gives an opportunity for life with faith.