Elizabeth Ruth Obbard - Böcker

ELIZABETH RUTH OBBARD was born into an army family and educated in England and Germany. After completing her schooling she spent a year in nursing and then entered the religious life. At present she is novice mistress at the Carmel of Our Lady of Walsingham, Langham, Norfolk. Other publications include: Lamps of Fire, daily readings with St John of the Cross; Magnificat the Journey and the Song; La Madre, the Life and Spirituality of St Teresa of Avila; Introducing Julian, Woman of Norwich. She has also contributed to various books and periodicals and written and illustrated some books for children.

Carmelite spirituality is a way of life that spells Freedom. Rooted in the experience of the desert mothers and fathers who sought God in solitude, it can accommodate many temperaments and approaches. The primary focus is on Finding the way of prayer that will bring you closest to God. This warm and engaging book introduces six great Carmelite Figures and their individual ways of prayer. Let Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence, Therese of Lisieux and others help you discover the pathway to authentic spiritual growth.

A Year with Mary is an invitation to live through the Christian year in the company of a woman who, through the centuries, has been like a mother, sister and friend to countless followers of Jesus. Mary is loved and honoured not for herself, but because she draws us closer to her Son. This collection of prayers and readings - from the Bible, the classics and the present day - are arranged around the 24 Marian festivals in the Christian calendar. We begin with Advent, the season of Mary par excellence, when we wait and prepare for the coming of Christ. Throughout the year, Mary remains a close and familiar companion: we share her agony at the crucifixion, her joy at the resurrection and in her quiet acceptance and trust we are helped to find meaning in the joys, sorrows and mysteries of our own lives.

Like her 14th century predecessor Julian of Norwich, Sr Elizabeth lives as a solitary attached to a religious community. Like Julian, she is available to all who come for help, advice or direction. In Julian's cell were three windows - one looking into the sanctuary of the church, one opening on to a secluded garden where she could attend to her own physical needs and a third where she conversed with all who came for help. Sr Elizabeth relates the three different aspects of these windows to the three things that Julian desired of God - contrition, compassion and longing for God. So deeply did she desire these qualities that she asked God to 'wound' her with them, but they became gifts of healing for herself and for others. Through contrition she learned her limitations and her need of others, compassion enabled her to become an effective spiritual guide and in longing for God she found purpose and meaning for her whole life.