Forgotten Desert Mothers, The: Sayings, Lives, and Stories of Early Christian Women

I dropped one star only because this book covers a lot of territory other than the Ammas of the desert.. That said, it is superior to some of the books I've seen on the male desert hermits in the African desert. For those about whom we have some biographical information, it is all supplied in a narrative. This includes biographical sketches of those for whom we have no quotes.There is also a chapter on five non-hermetic deaconesses, most of whom lived in 'Asia Minor. The next chapter includes long sections on six women who were ascetic teachers, but not hermits. The most famous of these was Macrina the younger. The next was Marcella of Rome, also relatively well known in her time, as a founder of monasteries.This is not a scholarly book per se, and it is quite easy to read, but for those doing research, there are notes on sources tucked away in the back of the book. The author, a nun / scholar gives her personal take on the study of the Ammas and asceticism, and why this lifestyle may attract people today. This section gives a better picture of the monastic / ascetic life than the quotes and biographies. If it is the lifestyle which interests you, then I would promote this to five stars.

Ever since I bought it, Laura Swan's "The Forgotten Desert Mothers: Sayings, Lives and Stories of Early Christian Women" has proved a very interesting read for a person caught up in the mundane life of inner-city Melbourne.Laura's Swan's stories of these women from mostly very wealthy backgrounds who turned to the simplest and most stringently ascetic lives never fail to stir my own imagination. The way in which some ammas would go so far as to wear hairshirts and sleep on hair mats is particularly stirring because it suggests to me that these people must have been remarkably devout and had deep emotional ties to God.They stories form, even for someone like myself who has never had the self-discipline to be a religious practitioner of any kind, stories that have a true beauty in their simplicity and the manner in which the desert ammas would not only teach numerous disciples but also help the numerous very poor people of their time. The way in which many widows become ammas is particularly fascinating for someone of my generation.There are also a great many interesting sidelights on how the desert ammas communicated with much better-known theologians such as Jerome, plus a good deal of interesting stories of how the ammas resisted persecution by anti-Christian forces in the first three centuries of Christianity.Swan, a Benedictine nun, also offers detailed, easy-to-read analyses of both the sayings of the desert ammas and what the ammas offer as an alternative to today's stressful, fast-paced life.All in all, this is an impressive book with very surprising information that will add a great deal to your knowledge of early Christianity or serve perfectly as a purely inspirational work (as with myself).

This is a descriptive overview of a handful of women corresponding to a certain category of monastic/hermetical experience in which the role of an Amma was fairly clearly defined.The work relies primarily on secondary sources. It’s well written and informative, but didn’t dig as deeply as I’d hoped. I think it would be great for reading groups looking at larger issues of women’s spirituality; as far as diving deeper into a direct experience with text and interpretation, go straight to the incomparable Benedicta Ward.

I recommend this book to those seeking a closer relationship with God and a greater focus on discerning the importance of focusing on a simpler, sparser, yet richer life. The book is well-researched and nicely written.

Very interesting topic not focused on in usual history lessons! Read it quickly and was captivated!

"We went through fire and water; yet God has brought us forth to a spacious place." --Amma Syncletica.Such imagery of extreme endurance permeates the sayings of these forgotten Ammas."Desert spirituality understood that the inner journey was one of warfare" (p. 48).The stories, the sayings, the wisdom in this book expand our understanding of the Christian incarnational experience and its witness to the world of the Christlife--then and now.Highly recommended.Isabel Anders is the author of Becoming Flame: Uncommon Mother-Daughter Wisdom with a Foreword by Phyllis Tickle. Becoming Flame: Uncommon Mother-Daughter Wisdom

The Desert Mothers opened a whole new world for our women's study group. They were amazed and thrilled that the Desert Mothers existed and at all that they did. In this continuing age of masculine over feminine in so many churches, our women were refreshed and encouraged to carry on their ministries and identified with the Mothers.

I have heard about the Desert Fathers, but never of Desert Mothers. It was deeply satisfying to me to know that women of great faith and spirituality have existed since the beginning of recorded history. I can't imagine how difficult the research must have been to be able to offer this book. Congratulations to Laura Swan, well done.

This was on a book list so I decided to take a look at the book. The writer looks at these early women in the church who made an impact on the world around them. Their stories are remembered here.

Fascinating book. A must read

This collection of the lives and sayings of these desert mothers is a must for anyone interested in the desert spirituality and spiritual growth. It is so nice to discovers these women ascetics who were truly forgotten. They have much to teach us and it is wonderful to hear their voices in the 21st century.

absolute spiritual guide for a purposeful life

Ordered this for a friend, because I had enjoyed my copy.