Alicia von Stamwitz | VIA Communications
  • Home
  • Essays
  • Interviews
  • Articles
  • PW
  • Acquisitions/Consulting
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Book PR
  • Scripture
  • Notebook
Picture
Alicia von Stamwitz (Ramírez de Arellano) is an award-winning writer and longtime editor with the religious press. She currently works with Franciscan Media as a contract book acquisitions editor and foreign rights manager. Her freelance essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, Publishers Weekly,The Sun, America, Broadview, and St. Anthony Messenger. Her exclusive interviews and profiles of today's most influential spiritual leaders are published internationally. She was born in Havana, Cuba, and now lives in Missouri with her family. 
​
For all books, please visit her AMAZON PAGE​ 


7-minute video documentary: "BEYOND FERGUSON"
Live interview with spiritual writer Ron Rolheiser at Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2017

Featured Books
THE WAY OF SILENCE
​Engaging the Sacred in Daily Life
Picture

​"The tranquility of order is a dynamic tranquility, the stillness of a flame burning in perfect calm, of a wheel spinning so fast that it seems to stand still. Silence in this sense is not only a quality of the environment, but primarily an attitude, an attitude of listening.… Let us give to one another that gift of silence, so that we can listen together and listen to one another." —Brother David
Austrian-born Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast is one of the most influential and beloved spiritual teachers of our time. His newest book, compiled and edited by Alicia von Stamwitz, draws heavily on Buddhist teachings to cultivate the practice of “deep” listening: turning away from noise and distraction, paying attention, and embracing quiet.

Brother David was one of the first Roman Catholics to participate in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, studying under Zen teachers and building bridges between religious traditions. The Way of Silence embraces paradox: absence versus presence in silence. Dynamic tranquility. The all-oneness of aloneness.

Publishers Weekly writes in their review, ​"The Benedictine monk offers deep insight into prayer in a fetching opening chapter that he ties to a variety of personal experiences as well as reflections on the Trinity. He nimbly makes connections and plumbs observations of everyday things, as the title promises. The book is like a buffet of small plates, best savored chapter by chapter. "

Author Anne Lamott says, "I love Brother David Steindl-Rast, and all of his work."
​THE SPIRIT OF SAINT FRANCIS
Inspiring Words from Pope Francis
Picture

“Some people want to know why I wished to be called Francis. For me, Francis of Assisi is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.” —Pope Francis

Published in cooperation with the Vatican, this original collection brings the legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi to life through the pope's uplifting and challenging words on Franciscan ideals such as simplicity, humility, forgiveness, joy, compassion, peacemaking, and care for creation. ​The most inspiring quotes from his homilies, addresses, and writings on these and other Franciscan themes are collected in this book for the first time, giving you a simple way to rediscover the gospel and renew your faith.​

Praise for THE SPIRIT OF SAINT FRANCIS

"I recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration, vision, and spiritual guidance."
—Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners and bestselling author 

"A rich, quiet, assured book....both more deeply consoling and more religiously invigorating than I can even begin to say."
—Phyllis Tickle, author and former religion editor with Publishers Weekly

"This book will be treasured in the years to come as a remembrance of the first year of Pope Francis's papacy and the transformation his deep understanding of the Gospel is bringing to the people of God."
—Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., speaker and author of The Holy Longing