"It is not easy to talk about the apostolic mission of Carmel; because it is incidental to its principal mission. The principal mission of Carmel is to be the garden of delights for the Divine Lover, our Lord. The apostolic work is only an effect of the supreme romance between God and the soul in love with God. So long as it remains a garden of delights for the Divine Lover, it will necessarily continue to bear fruit; but as soon as it ceases to be a garden of delights, it will become a barren piece of ground…."
.....Holy Madre Saint Teresa of Jesus, help us to pray!
Exactly. I would say his words, from before Vatican II, were prescient, because this is largely what has happened to all the contemplative orders: barren pieces of ground, shuttered one after the other - except where they have remained fervent and faithful to the original way of life:
Peter, your review of "Interior Carmel" initially laid out a framing of the text as reflected in three prominent Discalced Carmelite Saints and Doctors of the Church. However, the bulk of the Saints you referenced in the remainder of the review essay were from other traditions and orders within the greater RC Tradition. 🏔️ I personally have an affinity for the Traditions of Carmel. Does this author keep his reflection mainly within this Spiritual Apostolate our is it kinda just all over? Thank you and Glory to God for all things! Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The passages I shared were the ones that most appealed to me as a Benedictine oblate. But in fact, the book cleaves closely to the Carmelites, quoting St. John, St. Teresa, and St. Therese throughout. That's not something that comes across in my presentation of it.
An Oratorian here was reading from and discussing these books a few years back. It struck me as possibly an esoteric interest at the time, but I'll re-evaluate my misimpression after this article.
Thanks for this, books are ordered! Plus making my way slowly through Wounded I Sing. Very rich, love how scriptural it is.
Still wondering, though, about how men “receive” God. Given that we must all be “receptive” to God’s love, it still seems to me that the male erotic love for God is different than for a woman. And in spite of the fact that “anima” is feminine, it seems to me that a male soul is different from a female one.
What a marvelous book! Great article.
Thank you. We are buying this book and hearing those quotes my husband agreed to read it with me.
I think you'll love it!
We do love it and are doing a short reading after Compline each night. I pray it sinks in to help me grow in sanctity!
I would love to see something similar happen in Japan! There are Carmelite and Cistercian monasteries and convents in Japan also.
This:
"It is not easy to talk about the apostolic mission of Carmel; because it is incidental to its principal mission. The principal mission of Carmel is to be the garden of delights for the Divine Lover, our Lord. The apostolic work is only an effect of the supreme romance between God and the soul in love with God. So long as it remains a garden of delights for the Divine Lover, it will necessarily continue to bear fruit; but as soon as it ceases to be a garden of delights, it will become a barren piece of ground…."
.....Holy Madre Saint Teresa of Jesus, help us to pray!
Exactly. I would say his words, from before Vatican II, were prescient, because this is largely what has happened to all the contemplative orders: barren pieces of ground, shuttered one after the other - except where they have remained fervent and faithful to the original way of life:
https://onepeterfive.com/bruno-therese-contemplative/
https://onepeterfive.com/mother-maravillas-de-jesus-guarding-the-teresian-reform/
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-20-years-91-monasteries-have-closed.html
Lord, have mercy.
The Carmelite Monastery in NW OKC closed too.
"Hesychia kai Praxis" (Ora et Labora)
Thank you for this reply
Thank you for this post.
Holy Prophet of God Saint Elijah the Tishbite, please pray for us! 🏔️🔥🗡️⛅🐎🪽✨
Carmel has a strong pull in the East. 🔔✍🏼⛪☦️
Chu’s little known, “Fountain of Justice: A Study in the Natural Law” is also a classic.
Peter, your review of "Interior Carmel" initially laid out a framing of the text as reflected in three prominent Discalced Carmelite Saints and Doctors of the Church. However, the bulk of the Saints you referenced in the remainder of the review essay were from other traditions and orders within the greater RC Tradition. 🏔️ I personally have an affinity for the Traditions of Carmel. Does this author keep his reflection mainly within this Spiritual Apostolate our is it kinda just all over? Thank you and Glory to God for all things! Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
The passages I shared were the ones that most appealed to me as a Benedictine oblate. But in fact, the book cleaves closely to the Carmelites, quoting St. John, St. Teresa, and St. Therese throughout. That's not something that comes across in my presentation of it.
Thank you for this prompt response, Holy Father Saint Benedict of Nursia, pray for us!
An Oratorian here was reading from and discussing these books a few years back. It struck me as possibly an esoteric interest at the time, but I'll re-evaluate my misimpression after this article.
Thanks for this, books are ordered! Plus making my way slowly through Wounded I Sing. Very rich, love how scriptural it is.
Still wondering, though, about how men “receive” God. Given that we must all be “receptive” to God’s love, it still seems to me that the male erotic love for God is different than for a woman. And in spite of the fact that “anima” is feminine, it seems to me that a male soul is different from a female one.