Way of the Carmelites

James McCaffrey OCD is Director of Teresian Press and Editor ofMount Carmel: A Review of the Spiritual Life. He has a doctorate inScripture from the Biblical Institute, Rome, The House with ManyRooms: The Temple Theme of Jn. 14.2–3, and is an experiencedspeaker on Carmelite spirituality and Scripture. He is the authorof numerous publications, including A Biblical Prayer Journey inthe Holy Land, The Carmelite Charism: Exploring the Biblical Roots,Captive Flames: A Biblical Reading of the Carmelite Saints, Prayer– The Heart of the Gospels and Infinite Horizons: Scripture throughCarmelite Eyes.

We are living through times of disillusionment and bewilderment – a global "dark night of the soul". Carmelite spirituality understands this terrain. This book guides us expertly into the spirit of Carmel, outlining its background, introducing us to major Carmelite visionaries, from Teresa of Avila to Edith Stein, and inviting us to explore the Carmelite method of quiet contemplative prayer, just "gazing on God". A series of very practical contemporary questions encourages us to apply Carmelite wisdom to our own situations, and allow the gentle light of Carmel’s wisdom to bring insight to our own dark nights.