The Star in My Heart Experienc

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.