 In addition to
a B.A. in fine Arts from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from
Providence College in Rhode Island, Sr. Virginia Marie Butler, OP has a Certificate in Biblical
Spirituality from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago which she earned at the end of an
academic year which included the study of Scripture and archaeology in Israel, Egypt, Greece and
Turkey. She has had a variety of ministerial experiences as a Dominican Sister in parishes,
residences for women, schools of adult education, retreat centers and houses of formation where
she taught religion, art and Scripture, conducted weekend programs, edited retreat center
newspapers and offered spiritual counseling to retreatants and students.
Reviews
"This book of biblical meditations is a lovely blend of solid biblical study and artful pastoral
reflection. The author draws on her own experience of the Holy Land and its indelible geography
and sacred memories as a way of reflecting on the various moods and theological motifs of the
gospels." --Donald Senior, C.P. in The Bible
Today, May/June 2001
"This is a wonderfully readable book that should appeal to a number of different audiences. It is
an excellent way for people who are searching for a deeper understanding of Sacred Scripture,
particularly the Gospels, but who are not looking for an overly scholarly approach or academic
explanation of the text. This is not to say the book lacks scholarship. On the contrary, the value
of the writing is its multi-layered approach. In other hands, it could have proved awkward and
complex For example, I found myself drawn into a new understanding of the life of Jesus and did
not realize I was learning about the Gospels, how they came to be, their relationship with each
other and the ancient culture at the same time. Butler's detailed attention to the physical
geography of Israel, its mountains, rugged hillsides and particularly the Sea of Galilee are a
metaphor for the life of Jesus and a mirror for our own inner journey. This is the fifth
gospel, which opens up the meaning of the other four in a way we have not known them. It is an
innovative tool for exploring the Gospels. In this fifth gospel approach, the author frames a
number of significant events in the life of Jesus, the Easter Event, the Sermon on the Mount, the
Transfiguration, and so forth. She offers insightful reflection on them and helps the reader draw out meaning for
daily life. There are meditations and prayers at the end of each chapter that invite further
reflection. The author clearly has a love of Scripture and a desire to explore the meaning of the
Gospels. She does this in a very 'user friendly' fashion that makes the book's real scholarship
very accessible to folks who would shy away from other attempts. Retreat centers should find this
book very useful and would be wise to make it available to its retreatants. The author's
background in retreat ministry gives it a credibility that would encourage use for a small group
discussion or at-home retreat." --Sr.Anne Lythgoe, O.P., Past
President, Dominican Leadership Conference
"A different kind of geography: In a brief and kaleidoscopic new book, pastoral minister,
scriptural scholar, Sr. Virginia Marie Butler, O.P., takes a look at the 'land' in the Holy Land,
the mountains, seas, deserts, rocky roads and hillsides that Jesus knew and called home. Her aim:
Listening to the message and realities of the land which Jesus knew -- entering into the mystery
of the life of Jesus. There are ten chapters in two parts: 'This Is Our Faith (Facing the Tomb and
the Easter Message)'; and 'The Spiritual Geography of the Gospels.' Unique bibliography: 'Suggested
Readings on the Land.'" --Crux of the News, April 23, 2001
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