Joyce Rupp's extraordinary reflections on Sophia-Feminine
Wisdom in the Hebrew Scriptures-have become a classic. For ten years,
this collection of quieting verse and meditative writing, with
mandalas and suggestions for spiritual journaling, has gently invited
readers to explore the inner journey. Rupp's healing images invite us
to dip into Sophia's quiet guidance and come away refreshed. EXCERPT:
Thoughts from the Author
This book was born on a sunny day as I sat among the myriad colors and
fragrances of my friends' rose garden. I was watching over their
two-year old, Elizabeth Ann, who was delightfully playing among the
flowers, talking to them, laughing, and splashing the roses with her
little watering can. It was there that I became keenly aware of
Sophia's presence. I look at the beautiful child at play, and I
remembered how Sophia (Wisdom) speaks of herself in Proverbs:
I was at God' side. . .
delighting God day after day,
ever at play in God's presence,
at play everywhere in God's world . . .
--Proverbs 8:30-31
It was not the first time that I had experienced this deep awareness of Sophia's presence. There had been many moments in my life when the sudden recognition of her radiant presence had pressed tears into my eyes. Oftentimes it happened when I looked upon something in nature and felt a wordless connection between the vast beauty of the universe and the goodness of Divine life.
This kind of recognition happened when I saw Elizabeth at play. In an instant all the years that stretched between Elizabeth's age and my own were connected. I saw how Sophia had touched my heart time and again and had brought me to truths that had indeed changed my life. I knew then that I wanted to write about Sophia's presence in my life. I wanted to tell how her activity in my spirit has led me to many truths which now inspire my life's journey and give order to my inner being.
JOYCE RUPP is a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary)
community and the author of ten books, including PRAYERS TO SOPHIA:
COMPANION TO THE STAR IN MY HEART (Innisfree Press), YOUR SORROW IS MY
SORROW (Crossroad Publishing), THE CUP OF OUR LIFE (Ave Maria Press),
PRAYING OUR GOODBYES (Ave Maria Press) and MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE? (Ave
Maria Press). As a frequent conference and retreat speaker, she
travels throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia,
Africa, New Zealand, Asia, and Europe.
Her work has included teaching elementary school for five years,
serving as an associate vocation director for the Omaha Archdiocese, a
vocation director for the Servants of Mary, a resource person for
adult religious education in rural Iowa, and a member of the Adult
Education staff at St. Joseph Education Center in Des Moines, Iowa,
where she currently resides.
Joyce received her B.A. from Duchesne College in Omaha, a Masters in
Religious Education from St. Thomas University in Houston, as well as
a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto. She has also
completed additional studies in spirituality at Creighton University
and Notre Dame University, and has been published in various
periodicals, including St. Anthony Messenger, Alive Now, Praying, and
the National Catholic Reporter.
