To order Traveling with the Turtle, visit turtle.paceebene.org or call 702-648-228 1 . For information on retreats, contact us at turtle@paceebene.org. 247 pages. Cost $25 for one; 5 or more copies $2 1 . ISBN0966978374 Pace e Bene Press.

BVM Marilyn Wilson (center) generates ideas with authors (l.) Irene Woodward and Cindy Preston-Pile.

Women's spiritual journey in peacemaking sometimes presents rough rocky terrain and at other times a relatively smooth, even-paced movement forward.

An excellent companion on that journey is a new educational and interactive publication entitled, Traveling with the Turtle: Women's Spirituality and Peacemaking Program by Cindy Preston-Pile and Irene Woodward.

With the ancient symbol of the turtle in its title, the book captures women's wisdom, strength and power to create new life. Of the 13 sessions, including a facilitator's guide, two introductory sessions explore women's spirituality and the rest assist women in connecting with their personal power.

BVMs, as women committed to continued education for women, have birthed this project from the very beginning with a Multiyear Ministry Partnership grant.

BVM presence continued with my being part of the original consulting group of uniquely diverse women. For a year and a half, our group heard from the authors and many pilot groups. After many revisions, the final product became a reality in the fall of 2006.

Kay Ashe, O.P.* in reviewing the book captures its essence: “The third wave of the feminist movement has transformed the way that women understand ourselves and our relationship to the Divine, to others, and to the earth that sustains us.

“We have been reclaiming ourselves and our past, all the while gaining courage from our foremothers to create a world in which dominance, control and violence will give way to equality, mutuality and peace… That's where Traveling with the Turtle comes into play.

“The authors, well-versed in the literature of feminism and nonviolence, invite us to come together in circles to draw sustenance from our spiritual moorings; heal wounds; join in rituals; and hone our peace-making skills.”

As novelist Isabel Allende counsels, “Use this exciting book to gather together women in your life. Form a circle and discover the power you have to begin to heal yourselves and your world.”

*Author of The Feminization of the Church.

About the author: Marilyn Wilson, BVM (Claudia) continues BVM presence as part of an Advisory Circle to TWT. She served on the Coordinating Circle of the BVM Women's Office for six years, and does spiritual direction and retreat ministry.

Return to Table of Contents
© 2007 Sisters of Charity, BVM