Weekly Reader: Towards That Which is Beautiful by Marian O'Shea Wernicke; Beautiful Spiritual Novel About The Different Ways to Serve Others and Share Faith

 Weekly Reader: Toward That Which is Beautiful by Marian O'Shea Wernicke; Beautiful Spiritual Novel About The Different Ways to Serve Others and Share Faith

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: The title of  Marian O'Shea Wernicke's novel, Toward That Which is Beautiful lives up to its name. Actually, it can't be heading towards what is beautiful when the whole book is beautiful. It's a beautiful spiritual journey about a nun contemplating her vows and learning what it truly means to serve her God and helping others and herself.

When we first meet Sister Mary Katherine, she is fleeing a convent in Santa Catalina, Peru as though running away. She is leaving her convent and her duties as a nun behind. Tellingly while others call her Sister or "madrecita," the third person narrator refers to her as Kate. This little reveal already shows that Kate is a woman going through internal conflicts between her vocation as a nun and her feelings as a woman.

As Kate escapes, temporarily seeking asylum in the home of Peter Grinnell, an anthropologist, we are given flashbacks to Kate's life in St. Louis, Missouri, her calling, and work in the convent. It also introduces us to Father Tom Lynch, a handsome priest from Ireland and among the many reasons that caused Kate to question her faith and get out of town.

The most remarkable aspects of this book are Wernicke's attention to setting and character. I am from the St. Louis area and I love books that are set there that go into great detail about the city. Kate attended school in University City and college at St. Louis University. One of my personal favorite passages is when Wernicke described a date in which she and a boyfriend visited Forest Park and the Muny, the outdoor summer theater in Forest Park which actually has limited free seating for audience members. Going to the Muny is an annual summer tradition for many, including myself, and it's fun to relive it in fiction.

Peru itself is described in all of its natural beauty and struggles. The mountains in which newcomers suffer altitude sickness because of the high elevation are present. There is also the presence of the country's many problems such as poverty and political strife. The conflicts are revealed by the many locals who take coca to soothe their hunger and make them forget their troubles. 

Probably, the most beautiful setting is the one which gave the book its title. During her escape, Kate visits Achirana, a canal that brings fresh water from the highlands to the desert area around Ica in Peru. According to legend, it was created because the Incan ruler, Pachacutec, fell in love with a woman from Ica. She first spurned his advances but when he promised to do any favor for her, she told him to build a canal that would bring water to the Ican desert. Achirana literally means "that which flows cleanly toward that which is beautiful." 

Achirana is a perfect metaphor for Kate and her struggles with her faith and responsibilities. Like the woman in the story, she wants to create beauty around her by helping others. However, while the woman in the story is able to help others with the gift of water, she is also satisfying her personal self as well. She decides to marry a man who by honoring his promise also shows his dedication to others.  She can balance both her responsibility to her kingdom and to herself.

Kate unfortunately struggles with that dilemma, even before she falls in love with Father Tom. While in her novitiate training, Kate weighs what she likes about being in the convent with what she doesn't. She enjoys the fellowship with the other nuns and the spiritual closeness to God during Mass. But she questions many of the stricter policies such as silence and whether retaining a life of solitude is something for her.

This doubt continues during her time in Peru. She teaches English to the young people but wonders if her lessons are enough since she speaks little Spanish and almost none of Aymara, the indigenous language. She wonders if teaching the students a new language and bringing them closer to God through good works is enough when their bellies are empty, addiction is plentiful, leaders change because of political infighting, and their futures will be one filled with hard work, poverty, and hardship. 

She isn't the only one who feels this way. The convent forbids the nuns and priests from becoming involved with local politics but people like Father Tom do. He takes Kate among the Aymara to see what life is like outside of the convent. He is very knowledgeable about Peru's political situation and is in favor of revolutionaries who want to take the country back. This commitment to caring for locals beyond their spiritual salvation is a draw to Kate. 

Kate also has to struggle with her personal and emotional sides as well. One of the nuns leaves before she does and Kate finds that she left to get married. Her feelings towards Father Tom increase especially after she reads a love letter meant for her. The two don't do more than kiss, but the connection is enough to increase Kate's doubts.

While the romance between Kate and Tom is a factor, it is important to remember that it is not the only, or even the main reason for Kate's escape. Yes, Father Tom is the catalyst but she had issues with her convent life before she ever met him. 

Ironically, it is during her escape is when she feels the strongest connection to spirituality.

Outside of the convent walls, she meets various locals, vacationers, academics, revolutionaries, and other people. She also sees the natural beauty around her. Here is where she feels God's love in the water, trees, mountains, in kind loving people, in lovers, and children. He doesn't just exist behind walls.

Kate wonders if the secluded life of a nun is enough. Is she running towards a life with God or running away from life? In being a nun, is she only promoting her religion and not actually helping anyone? Are there other ways to serve God while holding to the important values without denying one's own pleasure? Can she live a life for others, develop friendships and relationships, and still maintain a spiritual nature? 

Toward That Which is Beautiful is about the journey that someone takes when they believe that they know what their spiritual path should be. They then realize that path could change and that they could find personal happiness and still feel close to their faith. In fact, finding the right path can be the most beautiful and spiritually filling act of all.