Herbarium - Inspirational Thoughts

I had the pleasure of spending five weeks with Franciscan monk Csaba Böjte. We traveled thousands of kilometers in Transylvania, and along the way, we got lost in conversations about life, death, faith, solidarity, and many other things that concern people today. Our trip became an inner journey, and thus, in the course of our travels, Brother Csaba’s herbarium was born. It offers tried and tested insights that purify one’s soul, awaken one’s sense of purpose, and give one comfort, hope, and a foothold in our ever more clamorous world. Reflections on humankind today, thoughts both fresh and eternal, practical advice on how to live if we seek happiness and what we must do to make this world a better, more livable place. – Levente Csender CSABA BÖJTE (b. 1959) is a Franciscan monk and the founder of the Saint Francis of Déva Foundation (Dévai Szent Ferenc Alapítvány), which provides support for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Transylvania. The many homes run by the Foundation ensure better living conditions and educational opportunities for children who have been growing up in dire poverty. LEVENTE CSENDER (b. 1977) is an Attila József Prize-winning writer. He has written for numerous national and international journals, and his short stories have appeared in English, Spanish, Slovak, and Romanian translation. His first volume, Zsírnak való (“For the Fat,” 2003), was followed by five more short story collections and a storybook.