"Father James Stephen Behrens, OCSO, was a unique observer of the human condition. His artful writings and intriguing photographs reflect on the significance of the ordinary-the sacredness of what comes our way every day and seems to recede from our grasp. His fresh, down-to-earth reflections show how modern monasticism can have a powerful impact on the lives and spirituality of people living far beyond cloister walls. This memorial edition includes all the stories from his two major collections, Grace is Everywhere and Memories of Grace, as well as his seminal essay "Andy's Diner" and excerpts from his award-winning book of photographs Portraits of Grace"-- Behrens looks at life's complications simply, squeezes magic out of ordinary days. -- book review "National Catholic Reporter" Fr. James Behrens, OCSO, was a uniqu observer of the human condition. His artful writings and intriguing photographs reflect on the significance of the ordinary--the sacredness of what comes our way every day and seems to reced from our grasp. Father James Stephen Behrens, OCSO, was 71 years old when he died on August 15, 2019, of complications from a biopsy on his lungs. A Trappist monk for 25 years and a priest for 45, he served as a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, before entering the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia, in 1994 and taking his final monastic vows in 2005. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, after his parents relocated from New Orleans, Louisiana. Most of his youth was spent in Montclair, New Jersey, which is the focus along with his monastic life and surroundings of many of his essays and stories.