Periodically, I have the chance to reread sections of Kathleen Norris’ book, The Cloister Walk . The book first appeared in 1996. I had read some of Norris’ work and was eager to read this book when it was published. I knew it was based on her time spent at St. John’s Benedictine Abbey in Minnesota. As one who also is a Benedictine oblate, I was excited to see what her reflected experience would be. I was not disappointed the first time I read it and I delight every time I pick the book up to read parts of it again. Recently, I had to read a chapter she entitles, “Learning to love: Benedictine Women on Celibacy and Relationship.” I suspect many readers would never bother with this chapter because of the title. I think their mistake would be focusing on the subtitle, Benedictine women, and quickly assume there would be nothing there for them. Instead I was intrig...