On October 8th, the Connecticut- SW Area Spiritual Book Club convened at St. Mary’s in Greenwich, and led by Fr. Kevin Spinale, S.J., (Fordham University Graduate School of Education) engaged in a thought-provoking discussion of Kate O’Brien’s novel, The Land of Spices.

Published in 1942 and set in an Irish Convent school in the early 20th century, the novel explored the dynamics of personal relationships of a group of women, young and elderly, and how they grew and matured in their faith, inner spirituality and self-awareness. The book and the discussion proved that “you can’t tell a book by its cover.”  

Guided by Father Spinale and with all 17 members sharing their thoughts and reactions, participants came away with a heightened sense of what it means to grow together in our faith and service within the Order of Malta.