Faces of Easter
by Albert Holtz
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About This Book
Using vignettes set in or near his monastery in downtown Newark, New Jersey, Benedictine monk Albert Holtz helps us to see that the Easter mystery, which can often seem abstract and distant, is in fact present all around us. As we accompany him through the fifty days of the Easter season, we listen in on his intriguing interactions with local street people and his inner-city high school students—an insider’s look at what goes on in a monk’s heart as he chants Vespers to the sound of police siren
Our Review
This spiritual memoir offers a raw, street-level perspective on the Easter season through the daily encounters of a Benedictine monk navigating urban Newark. Brother Albert Holtz chronicles fifty days of Eastertide with vivid accounts of interactions with street people and inner-city students, framing these moments as modern parables of resurrection. The narrative bridges ancient liturgical rhythms with contemporary urban chaos, finding sacred meaning in the tension between chanting vespers and hearing police sirens.
What distinguishes this religious reflection is its gritty authenticity and refusal to romanticize monastic life, instead revealing how spiritual transformation unfolds amid concrete realities. Teen readers wrestling with faith in a complex world will appreciate the honest portrayal of doubt and discovery, while young adults seeking meaningful spirituality will find resonance in these everyday resurrection stories. The book ultimately demonstrates how the Easter mystery becomes tangible through human connection and attentive presence to our immediate surroundings.
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