Even for Carmelites
engaged in active ministry,
their aim is to live centered
in God’s presence.
“
“A little of pure love is more precious to God and the soul and more beneficial to the Churchthan all other works put together.” -- John of the Cross, cf. Spiritual Canticle, 29.2
“it’s a great opportunity to live saint
Teresa [of Avila]’s advice: ‘only God is
enough.’ ”
But not having any method
doesn’t mean that Carmelites are left
without resources in their quest for
deepening union with God. A rich
source of inspiration, formation, and
experience are the writings of the
great Carmelite saints and mystics,
especially Teresa of Avila, John of
the Cross, and Thérèse of Lisieux.
Among the constellation of numer-
ous Carmelite saints, these three
have been named doctors of the
Church for the perennial richness
of their mystical teaching and the
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soundness of their spiritual doctrine
for people of every century and walk
of life. The spiritual classics these
saints produced are all in print and
in e-books, translated into languages
from Arabic to swahili.
According to each of these spiri-
tual masters, praying doesn’t need
to be complicated. Here are their per-
sonal, practical definitions of prayer:
• “Conversation with the One who
we know loves us” (saint Teresa).
• “Remaining in God’s presence
in loving attention” (saint John
of the Cross).
• An aspiration of the heart, a
simple glance . . . which expands
my soul and unites me to Jesus”
(saint Thérèse).
VISION 2013
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