Books about Carmelite Spirituality and training.
We believe these Carmelite Spirituality books are the best translations, sometimes you want to get a feel for a book before you purchase an actual print or electronic copy. Because many Carmelite books were written hundreds of years ago, there are quite a few in the public domain with the complete text online for you to read or download. Many are in PDF format or have online e-readers to make ready easy. This includes books by St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, and more.
THE CARMELITE DIRECTORY OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
This Book is Essential Reading for anyone who is interested in entering Our Lady of Mount Carmel Order.
We are happy to publish a free copy of ‘The Carmelite Directory of the Spiritual Life‘, translated from the Latin version entitled ‘Directorium Carmelitarum Vitae Spiritualis‘ by Joannes a Cruce Brenninger O.Carm
Download the book from
Carmelite directory of the spiritual life
https://www.karmelitani.org/mediacast/the-carmelite-directory-of-the-spiritual-life/
Carmelite Constitutions
https://www.carmelitepriory.org/constitutions/
The Book of the First Monks (Latin: Decem Libri – Liber de Institutione Primorum Monacharum)
Is a medieval Catholic book in the contemplative and eremitic tradition of the Carmelite Order, thought to reflect the spirituality of the Prophet Elijah, honored as the Father of the Order. The book is one of the most important documents of the Order because it influenced many of the Carmelite Saints according to the spirituality of the first Carmelite hermits.
Some medieval Carmelites thought it antedated the Carmelite Rule of St. Albert, although this is disputed due to a lack of evidence. It is this dispute that has caused this manuscript to be questioned today. Exemplars of the contemplative and mystical spirituality described in the book include the Discalced Carmelite Sts. Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Teresia Benedicta a Cruce, and also the Polish Catholic layman Jan Tyranowski who guided Pope John Paul II in his young adulthood.
The original charism of the Carmelite hermits, which still animates the spirituality of many contemporary Carmelites and the cloistered contemplative life of other hermits, monks, and nuns, was in imitation of the Prophet Elijah. Carmelite tradition relates that Elijah inspired the early hermits who settled near the spring on Mount Carmel, Palestine which bears Elijah's name. Most often quoted from the Book of the First Monks is the following passage in which Elijah is named as the spiritual father of the Order:
The Ten Books on the Way of Life and Great Deeds of the Carmelites including The First Book of Monks.
Ribot_TenBooksOnTheWayOfLifeAndGreatDeedsOfTheCarmelites (1) (1).pdf
Carmel's Way. Life in Carmel-The Fount of Elijah
At the heart is a Way of Life, in the tradition of Elijah, that leads us to stand in the presence of the One who Loved us first and in a most perfect way; and to be transformed into one who loves more perfectly.
Life in Carmel - The Fount of Elijah
https://www.fountofelijah.com/uploads/2/2/5/7/22570238/life_in_carmel.pdf
Divine Intimacy
"A book of meditations following the course of the liturgical year (1962), inspired by the late Fr Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen. The meditations are substantial and solid, adapted to the various degrees of spirituality, and within reach of every person of good will. Priests, seminarians, contemplative souls, those dedicated to the apostolate, and finally the laity of every social class have meditated these pages and found encouragement and spiritual profit." - Angello Dell'Acqua, substitute for the secretariat of State of His HOLINESS, July 7th, 1961 (from a letter to the Reverend Mother Prioress of the Discalced Carmelites Monastery of St Joseph in Rome)
Carmel and Contemplation Carmelite Studies 8 A look at change of Consciousness.
Look in to Carmelite Mystical Contemplation prayer how it changes the consciousness. Essays by Carmelite clerics, deacons, nuns and priests in to deep focus unity the divine.
Transformation in Wisdom – the Subversive Character and Educative Power of Sophia ... https://www.baltimorecarmel.org/wp-content/writings/CF_Transformation_in_Wisdom_-_the_Subversive_Character_and_Educative_Power_of_Sophia_in_Contemplation.pdf
St. Teresa of Avila
Foundations: A fascinating book written by Teresa of Avila that documents the process and struggles of creating different Carmelite convents during her life. This edition includes the Visitation of Nunneries, the Rule and Constitutions and was published in 1912.
Book of Her Life: This is St. Teresa of Avila's autobiography. The edition was published in 1904 and made available by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
Interior Castle: The Interior Castle, or The Mansions, (Spanish: El Castillo Interior or Las Moradas) was written in 1577, and published in 1588. It contains the basis for what Teresa felt should be the ideal journey of faith, comparing the contemplative soul to a castle with seven successive interior courts, or chambers, analogous to the seven mansions. This edition was published in 1921.
Way of Perfection: Teresa wrote The Way of Perfection (Spanish: Camino de Perfección) to teach her nuns how to progress through prayer and Christian meditation. She discusses the rationale for being a Carmelite, and the rest deals with the purpose of and approaches to spiritual life. This edition was published in 1964
St. Therese of Lisieux
Story of a Soul: The autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, which describes her "little way". This edition was published in 1912.
Poems: A collection of the poetry written by St. Therese of Lisieux. This edition was published in 1907.
St. John of the Cross
Complete Works: This book of collected works by St. John of the Cross includes The Ascent of Mount Carmel and the Dark Night of the Soul. This edition was published in 1864.
Ascent of Mount Carmel: The Ascent of Mount Carmel is a more systematic study of the ascetical endeavour of a soul seeking perfect union with God and the mystical events encountered along the way. Although it begins as a commentary on The Dark Night, after the first two stanzas of the poem, it rapidly diverts into a full treatise. This edition was published in 1933.
Dark Night of the Soul: Dark Night of the Soul narrates the journey of the soul to union with God. It happens during the "dark", which represents the hardships and difficulties met in detachment from the world and reaching the light of the union with the Creator. This edition was published in 1959.
Spiritual Canticle: The Spiritual Canticle is an eclogue in which the bride, representing the soul, searches for the bridegroom, representing Jesus Christ, and is anxious at having lost him. Both are filled with joy upon reuniting. It can be seen as a free-form Spanish version of the Song of Songs. The first 31 stanzas of the poem were composed in 1578 while John was imprisoned in Toledo. This edition was published in 1909.
Other Carmelites
Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. hIt is is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicolas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite friar. The compilation includes letters, as well as records of his conversations kept by Brother Lawrence's interlocutors. The basic theme of the book is the development of an awareness of the presence of God.
The praise of glory: Reminiscences of Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity. She was a French Discalced Carmelite, a mystic, and a spiritual writer. She was known for the depth of her spiritual growth as a Carmelite as well as bleak periods in which her religious calling was perceived to be unsure according to those around her; she however was acknowledged for her persistence in pursuing the will of God and in devoting herself to the charism of the Carmelites.This edition was published in 1919
The life of St. Mary Magdalen De-Pazzi
https://archive.org/details/thelifeofstmarym00fabruoft/page/n5/mode/1up?ref=ol&view=theater
It would be easy to concentrate on the mystical experiences God gave this saint, rather than on her life. In fact, it would be difficult to do differently, so overwhelming were those gifts from God. The temptation for many modern readers (including the author) would be to see little to identify with in these graces and walk away without seeing more. The other temptation would be to become so fascinated with these stories that one would neglect to dig deeper and learn the real lessons of her life.
The Life of Jesus Christ the visions of Saint Anne Catherine Enmerick.
She was born in Flamschen, a farming community at Coesfeld, in the Diocese of Münster, Westphalia, Germany, and died at age 49 in Dülmen, where she had been a nun, and later become bedridden. Emmerich reputedly experienced visions on the life and passion of Jesus Christ, as revealed to her by the Blessed Virgin Mary under religious ecstasy.[2]
During her bedridden years, a number of well-known figures were inspired to visit her.[1] The poet Clemens Brentano interviewed her at length and wrote two books based on his notes of her visions.[3] The authenticity of Brentano's writings has been questioned and critics have characterized the books as "conscious elaborations by a poet".[4][5]
Pope John Paul II beatified Emmerich on 3 October 2004.[1] However, the Vatican focused on her own personal piety rather than the religious writings associated to her by Clemens Brentano.
The Full Visions of the Life of Jesus Christ by Anne Catherine Emmerick
https://tandfspi.org/ACE_4_c%20fr0001_to_0240.pdf