What a wild, beautiful month it has been since The Upside-Down Kingdom: Living in Holiness and Sanity Through the Wisdom of Saint Benedict was published. We are sending out the soft covers this week and the hardcovers in October!

This launch season has challenged and shaped me in ways I didn’t anticipate, and I can’t wait to invite you behind the scenes to share the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way.

The Footnote

I had the huge privilege and honor of connecting with Paul Prins, a founding member of Urban Monastics. Urban Monastics exists for Christians around the globe who connect online once a month, guided by their Rule of Life, inspired by the Rule of Saint Benedict. They are an ecumenical movement.

Paul and I met over Zoom as I was based in California and he was in France. I was so appreciative of his time and for holding this conversation on monastic life across time zones. I shared the joy of my debut book, and that led to a 30-minute conversation about our lived experience with the Rule of Saint Benedict and how monastic values resonate today.

Here is what I learned. Paul spoke about the monastic pulse. It is not easy to find. In parish life, it is easy to advertise mission and service opportunities. Many people can get on board with doing something measurable. No poster ad for monastic life draws people to it. Monastic value is something people seek out. He struck a chord with me when he said you can learn everything it takes to be a monastic in a day, yet it takes a lifetime for it to flow through your veins, to experience it, embody its values, and live it deeply. I reflected on my own life, and that is very much the case for me. I was introduced to the Rule in my early 20s as part of an Intro to Philosophy Class at a secular University. I did not give it much thought then. It took many years before I came across it again in another chapter of my life. The Rule found me.

This conversation with Paul reminded me that we are all seeking silence and looking to be rooted in Christocentric values. Monastic silence, humility, and work are worthy of our attention, and only through time, experience, and a constant return to them do they find deep spiritual roots in our lives.

A huge thanks to Paul for his time with me. Urban Monastics is actually cited in the introduction of my book.

The Student Podcast

I had the privilege of being featured on our school podcast with one of our students to talk about The Upside-Down Kingdom and the journey to publication. It was a fun show. It kept me on my toes as I tried to articulate how a book on monastic values can invite teenagers to consider its impact on their lives. A moment like this was filled with grace, where we both learned from each other.

The Phone Call from the Censor

I was surprised by Abbot Paul’s phone call. He was cordial, encouraging, and delightful to speak with. He was the censor of my book. He called to congratulate me on the publication. He welcomed a few copies for the abbey bookstore. I was delighted to send some to the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux.

The Bishop’s Hour

I had a few platforms where I spoke with folks over the airwaves to celebrate the book’s release. While that reaches places beyond my imagination, I am indebted to speak with Bob Dunning right here at home on the Bishop’s Hour. We had a great conversation about Sacramento, the book, and Mount Angel. You can listen to this interview here.

What is Forthcoming?

Looking forward with joyful hope! God is opening some beautiful doors before the year ends. Truly blessed to have upcoming articles dropping on Catholic Link and Catholic Exchange. Plus, thrilled to announce the book will be joining the upcoming Faith Formation Conference in the Archdiocese of San Francisco as a vendor. Truly, all beautiful things are still to come.

What Have I Learned?

This is a collection of the lessons I have gathered along the way. Above all, I have learned that the monastic pulse cannot be rushed. While you can read these values in a single day, they take a lifetime to take root in the heart. On this journey, we are blessed to be in the company of fellow seekers pursuing God with sincerity.

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