Praised be Jesus Christ!
Time to start diving into our read for March!
For those new here, I have begun a Catholic book study group this year that focuses specifically on Carmelite spirituality, writings of Carmel’s saints, and other beautiful books that explore the biography and spirituality of Carmelite saints. There is so much richness in the Catholic faith, and the spiritualities of the different great religious orders of the Church (such as Carmel) are treasure mines of guidance on how to grow in holiness and union with God.
This month, we will be reading Listen to the Silence: a Retreat with Pere Jacques - a Carmelite priest, presenting to Carmelite nuns. It features a series of beautiful conferences that are easy to read and rich in spiritual gems (even just skimming it, there were so many beautiful points he makes that I came across - so excited to read it cover to cover!!). I thought the retreat format was very fitting for this Lenten time of "retreat," as we enter more deeply into prayer and union with God during this season.
Due to Holy Week being the last week of March, I have bumped our meeting up a week (usually I do the last Thursday of the month), and also chose a more simple read so everyone can easily get through the book in the time we have, and participate in the discussion.
Here are some places to purchase this book:
Amazon, $14.95, https://www.amazon.com/dp/0935216340?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_3B7ZE1VKEHJ4QMK2WS41&language=en-US
Institute of Carmelite Studies, $14.95, https://www.icspublications.org/products/listen-to-the-silence-a-retreat-with-pere-jacques?_pos=1&_sid=8d62d01ec&_ss=r
Abe Books, used copies, $7.78+, https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/listen-silence-retreat-pere/
I will have our live meeting on YouTube on Thursday, 3/21/24, at 3pm CST. Hope to see you there!! (http://www.youtube.com/@carmelitehomemaker) For those who cannot make the live meeting, it will be saved as a video you can go back to and can comment your thoughts on the book - I would love to hear from you!
Comment “in!” if you’ll be reading with us this month! 🤎.
And please pass this on to others too - there is always so much growth from hearing other’s perspectives and insights!