Are you ready to leave your comfort zone and embark on a hero’s adventure? You will encounter thrilling mountain climbs, explore caves in frigid winter, and dance around the fire in the wild pursuit of God. Riveting and accessible, this novelized account of the spiritual life is a hero’s journey for our times. It tells the story of the conversion of a young man named Austin through the ministrations of a tough inner-city priest, Fr. Lawrence Roper, who challenges nine college students to take a leap of faith on the path to holiness. As his friends set out for England, Ireland, and New York City, Austin heads for a remote monastery where he meets Fr. Aelred, a Benedictine hermit who guides him on the spiritual quest. Through a fictional dialogue, author Fr. Dwight Longenecker unveils a twelve-part plan for union with God that parallels the classic purgative, illuminative, and unitive stages of the spiritual life. You will discover with Austin: How our wounds and weaknesses can lead to growth - Different forms of Catholic spirituality - How to stay the course and win the great prize of becoming a saint - How to surrender to God and answer His call to perfection - Why Confession and the cultivation of virtue are at the very heart of spiritual growth This book is profitable for young adults, casual Catholics, and those more advanced in the spiritual life. Drawing from the wisdom of the Carmelite saints, St. Benedict, St. John Cassian, and other spiritual masters, The Way of the Wilderness Warrior opens the treasure house of Catholic spirituality in a creative, positive, and engaging way. Best of all, this book will show you how to discern God’s will for your life and how to pray without ceasing. In our challenging times, you will be inspired to become a vagabond warrior on your own wilderness journey to the Promised Land. "These pages written by Dwight Longenecker will prepare you for spiritual battle, for a battle against the world, the devil, and the flesh, not to mention that other terrible adversary, one’s own self." Dom Philip Anderson Abbot of Clear Creek Monastery "In this insightful and edifying book, Fr. Longenecker has the reader join Austin on his odd journey to the hermitage of an imaginary Benedictine monastery, and although the world will think it looks odd, it turns out to be the shortest way, for both him and ourselves, to the way, the truth, and the life of the world." David W. Fagerberg Professor Emeritus of Theology, University of Notre Dame " The Way of the Wilderness Warrior is a Pilgrim’s Progress for the 21st Century. At once deeply theological and brilliantly entertaining, the story takes us on a spiritual Odyssey from the depths of a soul’s Dark Night to the heights of consolation, while somehow mysteriously keeping its sense of humor." Father Augustine Wetta Author, The Eighth Arrow and Humility Rules "Fr. Longenecker shows us The Way , with God's light permeating throughout this compelling work. May we all have the grace to become Wilderness Warriors." Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph A cloistered community of Roman Catholic nuns "Like the characters in Fr. Dwight Longenecker's book, we are all on a mission – to become like Christ. Like his characters and like the saints before us, we will travel many different routes, aspiring to arrive at a common destination." Kathy Schiffer Correspondent, National Catholic Register --Personal Endorsements Fr. Dwight Longenecker was brought up as an Evangelical, studied at fundamentalist Bob Jones University, and later was ordained an Anglican priest in England. After ten years in the Anglican ministry as a curate, a chaplain at Cambridge, and a country parson, he was received into full communion with the Catholic Church in 1995. He is the author of more than twenty books on apologetics and Catholic faith and culture and has published hundreds of articles on websites, in magazines, and in newspapers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. Browse his books, read his blog and be in touch at dwightlongenecker.com. The Way of the Wilderness Warrior