INCLUDING CARMELITE SAINT AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
Contact the Carmelite Vocations Director Here
One of the beautiful aspects of Carmel is the depths of writings from canonized Carmelite saints. There are many Carmelite saint books that you can read to learn more about Carmelite spirituality. Here are our recommendations to help you grow in your discernment with the Carmelite Monks.
The Carmelite Rule by St. Albert of Jerusalem. This is the rule that all Carmelites live by, which stresses the importance of hermitages, solitude, silence and spiritual warfare. You can read it here: Carmelite Rule
St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face:
1. Story of a Soul by St. Therese of the Child Jesus
St. Therese is the greatest saint of modern times. She entered Carmel at the age of 16, and died transformed in God at the young age of 24. She was named a Doctor of the Church in 1997. Her autobiography is a must for anyone discerning Carmel. Download it here: The Story of a Soul
St. Teresa of Jesus (St. Teresa of Avila):
2. The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus by St. Teresa of Jesus
St. Teresa of Avila was the great reformer of Carmel and Doctor of the mystical life. In her life she explains mental prayer, the stages of contemplative prayer and her founding of the cloistered discalced Carmelite nuns. Download it here: Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
3. The Way of Perfection
St. Teresa wrote to her nuns about living the Rule, growth in virtues and the prayer life. Includes many of her well known words to the cloistered discalced Carmelite nuns. Download it here: The Way of Perfection
4. The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Jesus
St. Teresa's greatest work on the mystical life. It goes through all the various stages of prayer through union with God. Download it here: The Interior Castle
5. The Book of Foundations by St. Teresa of Jesus
St. Teresa's continuation of her foundations of the cloistered discalced Carmelite nuns, written with a lot of humor. It includes many profitable things written about obedience. Download it here: The Book of Foundations
St. John of the Cross:
6. The Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross was a great Doctor of the spiritual life. In the Spiritual Canticle, St. John describes the relationship between the soul and God, as the soul searches for Union with God. Download it here: The Spiritual Canticle
7. The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross begins his explanation of the importance of detachment from all created things for the purpose of attaining union with God. Download it here: The Ascent of Mt. Carmel
8. The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross's most famous work about the purgation of the soul through contemplation. Download it here: The Dark Night of the Soul
Find out more about the Carmelite spirituality of St. John of the Cross here.
Find out more about the Carmelite spirituality of St. Teresa of Jesus here.
Learn more about Carmelite spirituality here: Introduction to Carmelite spirituality and cloister.
