Do you read “The Anchoress”? That’s the “nom de blog” of one of the more literate and more lively Catholic writers scribbling in the blogosphere. Sure, she may not be what some of our St. Louis Jesuit-loving, F&J-friendly, Catholic Worker, Jesuit-educated readers might be used to from our magazine, but she always has an provocative take on things Catholic and Christian. In any event, here’s her response to my piece “Shadows in Prayer” in our current issue. Along with darkness, dryness, desolation, despair, doubt, disbelief and despair, called the “seven Ds” for short, the Anchoress proposes a surprising eighth D. Take a look. And then take a look at the rest of her blog, and see what you think. “The Anchoress” column James Martin, SJ

The Rev. James Martin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, author, editor at large at America and founder of Outreach.