Holiness for Housewives- book review

Holiness for Housewives And Other Working Women

by Huberr van Zeller

Author Huberr van Zeller wrote this book as a spiritual guide for mothers. Originally written in 1951, this book addresses the monotony of household chores and child rearing and celebrates it! When reading this book, a mother will be uplifted and encouraged to continue on. He challenges mothers to utilize the daily tasks as an pathway to holiness! Whether you are a stay at home mom, a full time or part time working mother this book will challenge you to seek holiness where ever you may be in life.

It truly spoke to me on so many levels. There are times when I feel that to truly be holy I would need to spend my time in front of the Eucharist or attend daily Mass. But with two toddlers and little patience, Mass and Adoration are a rarity.


"If God wills that you should be bowed over the sink instead of over the pew at your favorite church, then washing dishes is for you, now, the most perfect thing you can possibly do." p. 14

Yay! Because seriously, I live there... over the sink that is! And I think all the time that if I could just be in Church praying before the cross or before the Eucharist, THEN I could really be holy. But alas, I am not before the Eucharist nearly as much as I would like.... so the question is how do I become as holy as God intends me to be within the constraints of the kitchen!!

"This is the first lesson for the Christian wife and mother today; to let go of what might have been- and under other circumstances might now be- a recollected self, and take on, with both hands, the plan of God. Indeed, it is the lesson for every Christian in every age: it is the gospel principle of dying on one plane on order to lie on another." p. 15

For me, this means I needed to let go of my time at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Sounds strange, I know, but let me explain. Franciscan provided me the amazing opportunity to attend daily Mass, sit before the Eucharist almost daily, pray the rosary with some of my best friends and be an active member in the community. For a long time I equated holiness with being able to continue these tasks. 'Holiness for Housewives' really made me look at my present situation and determine how to achieve holiness when changing diapers, vacuuming and paying bills. Although there is nothing more beautiful than Mass, Adoration and prayers to Our Lady, this book is helping me to be realistic on my path to holiness.

"The first necessity is to find in your soul a respect for your vocation". p. 19

Yay! Respect for my vocation! Society may not respect it.... some of my family members may not respect it.... but I am called to find peace and respect in my vocation as a housewife..... then and only then can I move forward both emotionally and spiritually.


Holiness for Housewives is divided into two parts:

Part I: Your special vocation as a housewife
Part II: How to pray amidst your daily duties
Part III: How to grow holier day by day
Part IV: Prayers for housewives


I ordered my copy on Amazon.... I couldn't find it at the library unfortunately.... but at least I could underline and highlight my personal copy! Enjoy!