Mary Earle and Sylvia Maddox tell the stories of eighteen Celtic and British holy men and women who lived between the 5th and 8th centuries CE in this compact book which also includes prayers and reflections to guide contemporary seekers of this ancient wisdom. The faith of these saints in God's unfailing presence and the interconnectedness of all beings can inspire care for all creation and respect for each other.

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Sr. Rachael Gregory, an English Carmelite nun who died in November 2023 at the age of 100 years, wrote as Ruth Burrows.  Her first book "Before the Living God" was autobiographical and provided the context for her future writings on prayer and mysticism. The core of her personal theology was that prayer was "going to God with empty hands".

Her radical trust in God infuses Ruth's writings and is a central theme of this book by Michelle Jones, an Australian theologian living a contemplative life in the Carmelite tradition.

The essential guide to the contemplative mysticism of Thomas Merton.

With so many books written by Merton himself and many more written about him why have I chosen to highlight this small book by James Finley Ph.D.?

Finlay entered Merton's Gethsamane Abbey in Louisville Kentucky as an 18 year old and spent 6 formative years there. In this book he shares Thomas Merton's insights on our quest for identity and integrity moving from the false and illusory self to our True Self.

In June I will make a 3 day retreat at Gethsamane and walk in Merton's woods.