Suggest Books for Devout Protestant Attracted to Catholic Monasticism - Hermit Interior Life?

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A friend whom I met on a photography website has asked me to recommend books … particularly library books … on living the life of a hermit.

Background: She is Protestant and I think a bit cautious of the Catholic Church … She likes to bring up Bible references such as “all our works are as filthy rags” from Isaiah, for example, and she’s made it a point to tell me that she prays “directly to Jesus.”

That said, she’s very happily read “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence, and “Rules for Hermits” written by Padre Fray Alberto E. Justo, O.P.

And now that she’s done with those, she’s hungry for more. Based on her particular circumstances, she has specifically asked me for books on hermits that she would be able to find in the public library.

Now I know people generally recommend the writings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross for those interested in developing a life of contemplative prayer. As a cradle Catholic, I wonder how she would react to books written by saints, as she seems to have indirectly told me she may not be very comfortable with the idea of saints, as she prays “directly to Jesus”? Are there any converts who can offer any insight as to how best to proceed? Should I just jump right in with the writings of saints, or are there other resources I should perhaps try first?

Suggestions welcome and gratefully accepted.

~~ the phoenix
 
When I was converting I got a biography about St. Teresa of Avila written by Shirley du Boulay from Barnes and Noble. It pretty much just fell out of the shelf.

Teresa of Avila: An Extraordinary Life by Shirley du Boulay

Nowhere does it say on the cover that St. Teresa is actually a saint nor in the book. The great thing about this book is it will attract her to St. Teresa and St. Teresa’s writings without her knowing that St. Teresa is a saint. She’ll be in love with St. Teresa before she can even figure out she likes a saint. It has different excerpts form her writings: The Interior Castle, The Way of Perfection, Autobiography, and maybe her letters (I can’t remember). This book introduced me to a different way of living. It attracted me to the Church. It attracted me to the saints. It made me want to read St. Teresa’s writings. And now I am discerning a Carmelite vocation in the Catholic Church. I say, get her this book

There is no feminist forward and, as someone who had not converted when reading it, it did not draw me away from the Church but rather attracted me even more to it. This book’s aim is not to teach about the monastic life, but to tell the life of Teresa of Avila. You learn more about the monastic life I suppose by following St. Teresa and reading the excerpts from her writings. More then anything though this book will attract you to St. Teresa and make you want to actually read her writings… which may be what your friend needs before she can actually get into reading the writings she wants without being afraid of them.

Hope the book helps.
 
Yes, biography would be good.

For story of a journey to Catholic monasticism, how about:

The Seven Storey Mountain

by Thomas Merton.
 
There is a difference between a hermit and a monk. This said, I have provided some books that can pertain to one or the other or both.

The Divine Shewings (or Revelations of Divine Love) is written by the Blessed Julian Norwich, who was an anchoress (a kind of female hermit). Published by Penguin books.

Early Christian Lives, Penguin books, contains several early Church accounts of famous monks such as St. Anthony of the Desert, St. Paul of Thebes, St. Benedict, etc. It’s a truly fascinating book.

Little Russian Philokalia: St. Seraphim of Sarov. A short but fascinating book on a Russian Orthodox hermit. (John Paul II refers to him as a saint in one of his books).

The Monks of Mt. Athos. About the many monasteries and monks on the peninsula known as Mt. Athos. It’s about Orthodox, not Catholic, monks. But still it gives fascinating insights into monastic life.
 
the_phoenix said:
That said, she’s very happily read “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence, and “Rules for Hermits” written by Padre Fray Alberto E. Justo, O.P.

And now that she’s done with those, she’s hungry for more.
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Brother Lawrence, a devout Carmelite lay brother, has always had a strong following among Protestants. 🙂

The one thing I would say about Brother Lawrence, though, is that if we take his teaching seriously we’ll never be “done” with it . . . it will become a work of a lifetime. Brother Lawrence teaches the reader to find God in all things; to live entirely in the present moment; to give every thought, word and deed to Him.

Theologians call this active recollection. And, practiced faithfully, Brother Lawrence’s way will lead the practicioner – almost imperceptibly – to passive recollection, contemplation itself (God willing, of course). And contemplation, I gather, is what your friend seeks.

If you’re friend is comfortable with Brother Lawrence, I’d recommend the version published by ICS Publication. This version has numerous footnotes tying his teaching to other Catholic mystics . . . most notably St. John of the Cross and, to a lesser degree, St. Teresa of Avila.

Hope this helps some . . .
Dave.

PS - I’ve found it’s very easy to underestimate Brother Lawrence; however there’s incredible depth to be found in his very simple statements. It never ceases to amaze me the hidden truths that pop out at me that I never recognized before. Again, his is the work of a lifetime 🙂
 
One other thought . . .

Have your friend read the Song of Songs from the perspective of the soul as bride and Christ as bridegroom. This concept is central to Catholic understanding of mysticism . . . whether lived as a hermit or in the world.

St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila might be difficult to understand without a proper grounding in what they mean by bride and bridegroom. One of St. John’s most famous works (Spiritual Canticle) was inspired by and modeled on the Song of Songs. St. Teresa wrote a commentary on this biblical book and most mystics, in general, often referred to Christ in “spousal” terms. In fact, the highest stages of Catholic mysticism are referred to as the spiritual betrothal and the spiritual marriage.

Just an idea that’s scripture based that might ease your friend into the Catholic saints . . .

Dave. 🙂
 
diligamus said:
Yes, biography would be good.

For story of a journey to Catholic monasticism, how about:

The Seven Storey Mountain

by Thomas Merton.
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I would not recommend Merton - most especially in this specific situation of a Catholic recommending reading to a devout Protestant. Most unfortunately, the Protestants are already split from the Church. We don’t need to present the “Pandora’s box” of Thomas Merton to them as too much Merton inevitably leads to his “favorable” treatments of Buddhism and Eastern Mysticism. Let’s lead them to Rome, not Tibet.
 
30miller said:
I would not recommend Merton - most especially in this specific situation of a Catholic recommending reading to a devout Protestant. Most unfortunately, the Protestants are already split from the Church. We don’t need to present the “Pandora’s box” of Thomas Merton to them as too much Merton inevitably leads to his “favorable” treatments of Buddhism and Eastern Mysticism. Let’s lead them to Rome, not Tibet.
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I wouldn’t recommend Seven Storey Mountain, mostly because of his negative comments about Protestants in it, which might turn her off, besides his devotion to our Lady, who he calls, ‘mediatrix.’ That’s sure to turn Protestants off. Besides, while the second half of the book is fantastic, it does take a long time to get off the ground.

In Merton’s defense, he does mention eastern “contemplation” in Seven Storey Mountain, he concludes, rather disparagingly,
“The only practical thing I got out of it was a system for going to sleep, at night… when you couldn’t sleep.”
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And again,
I suppose it was a variety of auto-suggestion, a kind of hypnotism, or else simply muscular relaxation, with the help of a little work on the part of an active faculty.
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Ultimately, I suppose all Oriental mysticism can be reduced to techniques that do the same thing, but in a far more subtle and advanced fashion: and if that is true, it is not mysticism at all. It remains purely in the natural order… It is simply more or less useless, except when it is mixed up with elements that are strictly diabolical: and then of course these dreams an annihilations are designed to wipe out all vital moral activity, while leaving the personality in control of some nefarious principle, either of his own, or from outside himself.
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All in all, Merton is rather negative towards Oriental mysticism. These quotes are taken from pages 205-206 of Seven Storey Mountain.

If she’s interested in the contemplative life, Thomas Merton’s book, “What is Contemplation?” is very short and a very good read. It distills all of the orthodox teaching on contemplation into a small book with big type. Highly recommended.

By the way, I highly advise not diverting this topic to the subject of Merton again, leave it in the other topic.

Perhaps a bit of St. Athanasius wouldn’t hurt, if she wants to read, “The Life of Antony” who was a hermit in the desert. Great story. 🙂

And lastly, The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis, is perhaps another great classic which she shouldn’t miss.

By the way guys, I’ve been interested in buying a copy of Br. Lawrence’s book, The Practice of the Presence of God. Can anyone recommend to me a good, readable translation?

-Rob
 
RobNY said:
All in all, Merton is rather negative towards Oriental mysticism.

By the way, I highly advise not diverting this topic to the subject of Merton again, leave it in the other topic.

-Rob
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Again, stay away from Merton for correct reasons stated before. Merton leads to Tibet. By recommending the book, you are recommending the author.

Sir, yes sir! (to your last sentence above). Sir, only you sir are freely permitted to post where you choose yourself. My humble and eastern mystical apologies for not getting your permission first.
 
30miller said:
Again, stay away from Merton for correct reasons stated before. Merton leads to Tibet. By recommending the book, you are recommending the author.

Sir, yes sir! (to your last sentence above). Sir, only you sir are freely permitted to post where you choose yourself. My humble and eastern mystical apologies for not getting your permission first.
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When will you cease providing your biased misinformation about Thomas Merton?

You don’t like his writings, fine, but the Church does and has not in any way shape or form, advised Catholics not to read his writings.

Until you can provide a Church document which condemns Thomas Merton’s writings, I suggest you stop your attacks against anyone posting about his works.

Jim
 
RobNY said:
By the way guys, I’ve been interested in buying a copy of Br. Lawrence’s book, The Practice of the Presence of God. Can anyone recommend to me a good, readable translation?
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For anything related to Carmelite spirituality, ICS Publications is the best:

www.icspublications.org

The version of “Practice of the Presence of God” you’ll find here is edited by Fr. Conrad DeMeester and it has all the letters, conversations and maxims attributed to him as well as a wealth of additional background info on Brother Lawrence; including how he was “used” by both sides in the Fenelon-Bossuet controversy.

Dave
 
JimR-OCDS said:
When will you cease providing your biased misinformation about Thomas Merton?

You don’t like his writings, fine, but the Church does and has not in any way shape or form, advised Catholics not to read his writings.

Until you can provide a Church document which condemns Thomas Merton’s writings, I suggest you stop your attacks against anyone posting about his works.

Jim
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Jim,
When will you cease providing your biased misinformation about Thomas Merton?
You like his writings, fine, but the Church does not and has not in any way shape or form advised Catholics to read his writings.
Until you can provide a Church document which endorses all of Thomas Merton’s writings, I suggest you stop your attacks against anyone posting about his works.
 
DBT said:
For anything related to Carmelite spirituality, ICS Publications is the best:

www.icspublications.org

The version of “Practice of the Presence of God” you’ll find here is edited by Fr. Conrad DeMeester and it has all the letters, conversations and maxims attributed to him as well as a wealth of additional background info on Brother Lawrence; including how he was “used” by both sides in the Fenelon-Bossuet controversy.

Dave
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Ah, yes, I have the ICS publication of St. John of the Cross (the Collected Works). It certainly is good quality-- except for the actual cover of the thing, which seems a bit flimsy, but I care more about the content than that.

Thank you very much.

-Rob
 
A special Thank You and God Bless You to daughterofmary, diligamus, Madaglan, Eddy, DBT, and RobNY for your recommendations on spiritual reading suitable to starting a Protestant on the path to contemplative prayer in the manner of hermits! 🙂

And I also gratefully appreciate the concern about Thomas Merton raised by 30miller.

Everyone’s helpfulness is working out very nicely! 🙂

As it happens, I simply am way too honest to trick my friend into reading about the saints, so I quite openly informed her that along with the Biblical Song of Songs to start with, that people here were recommending the writings of Catholic saints.

The e-mail reply I received back leads me to hope that my friend is in fact a kindred spirit of St. Teresa of Avila, so the first two books I plan to recommend will be:
  1. Teresa of Avila: An Extraordinary Life
and
  1. Interior Castle
St. John of the Cross I can see her getting into at some point as well … And I also have an idea that she might really benefit from reading the Desert Fathers who sought God in solitude. (Now if only I were a bit more familiar with them … Looks like I’ve got some research ahead of me! St. Athanasius with the Life of Antony looks like a good start … )

As for my own take on Thomas Merton, I’ve heard both good and bad, and feel that for a Protestant that would be too much information to sort out at this stage.

I would also ask that please … anyone wishing to further debate the merits vs. demerits of Merton please start their own thread, because I started this thread to help a friend of mine.

Please respect that.

And God Bless You for your Kindness !!! I will prayerfully keep all of your suggestions in mind. 🙂

~~ the phoenix
 
the_phoenix said:
  1. Teresa of Avila: An Extraordinary Life
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If by this you’re referring to the work called “The Book of Her Life,” please note that it was this book that was responsible for conversion of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century . . . St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). 🙂

Edith read this book in a single sitting and was so moved by the example of St. Teresa of Avila that she left her life as one of the leading philosophers of her day to become a cloistered Carmelite nun. And she went on to write some of the most profound spiritual/mystical treatises ever written. But because she was a Jew, she was martyred in a German concentration camp during World War II.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, please pray for the phoenix and her friend !

Dave
 
30miller said:
Jim,
When will you cease providing your biased misinformation about Thomas Merton?
You like his writings, fine, but the Church does not and has not in any way shape or form advised Catholics to read his writings.
Until you can provide a Church document which endorses all of Thomas Merton’s writings, I suggest you stop your attacks against anyone posting about his works.
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The majority of Thomas Merton’s works have been approved, i.e.
Imprimatur, by the Catholic Church.

Please provide the list of books writen by Thomas Merton, that are condemned by the Catholic Church.

Jim
 
Can we please stick to kindly suggesting books, and not sidetrack this thread with debates?

Thank you,

~~ the phoenix
 
DBT said:
If by this you’re referring to the work called “The Book of Her Life,” please note that it was this book that was responsible for conversion of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century . . . St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). 🙂

…

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, please pray for the phoenix and her friend !

Dave
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Dear Dave / DBT,

I am thinking that “Teresa of Avila: An Extraordinary Life” is different than “The Book of Her Life,” so I appreciate your also mentioning this book that led Edith Stein on the path to sainthood. Absolutely awesome!

Thanks again for the kindness of your prayers and heartening encouragement … return prayers of gratitude for you! 🙂

~~ the phoenix
 
the_phoenix said:
I am thinking that “Teresa of Avila: An Extraordinary Life” is different than “The Book of Her Life,”
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Yes. The Extraorinary Life is a newish biography by Shirley du Boulay. The Book of Her Life is the saint’s own writings.
 
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