Saturday, October 15 is the feast day of St. Teresa of Jesus (or often referred to as Teresa of Avila). Through a roundabout manner, Our Lady of  Guadalupe led me to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Carmelite Spirituality. Carmel has been       answering many questions of my soul. It has helped me to see how to walk the narrow path with our Lord. I still have a lot to learn, and I am thankful to follow wherever our Blessed Mother leads me.  In thanksgiving for all that Carmel has done for me and in honor of St. Teresa of Jesus’ feast day, I’d like to share some books that I am currently reading or have found fruitful (the     list is in no particular order). Most of these are     Carmel related, but not all. Any primary source Carmelite text, I recommend ICS Publications.  

1.  Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the  Civilization of Love by Carl Anderson and  Eduardo Chavez  
 
This is my favorite book on Our Lady of  Guadalupe. It balances walking through the  apparitions, diving into the tilma itself, and the impacts of Our Lady’s appearance.  
 
2. This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity by Claire Dwyer 
 
I just finished reading through this book on St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. Claire Dwyer does an excellent job diving into Elizabeth’s life and  helping to apply lessons from her life to our own. Broken into distinct chapters that are each great conversation points for anyone.  

3.            Pray for Us: 75 Saints Who Sinned,  Suffered, and Struggled on Their Way to   Holiness by Meg Hunter-Kilmer 
 
I just love this unique saint book (it also includes servants of God, venerables, and blesseds). Many of whom I have never heard of from all the corners of the world.  
 
4. The Ascent of Mount Carmel: Reflections by Marc Foley, OCD  
 
5. Union with God according to St. John of the Cross by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen  
 
These are both great introductions to the works of St. John of the Cross and his incredible teachings. Often people get depressed reading St. John because they think that he is saying, “no, no, no, and some more no.” In reality, it is a yes to Divine Union. Both of these were instrumental in helping me dive into St. John’s The Ascent of Mount Carmel.  
 
6: Conversation with Christ: The Teaching of St. Teresa of Avila about Personal Prayer  by Peter Thomas Rohrbach 
 
This is an excellent introduction into Teresian spirituality and prayer. Short and practical.  
 
7. The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of  Avila 
 
I also strongly recommend her autobiography (ICS Publications Collected Works vol 1). St. Teresa wrote this shortly after establishing the first new reformed monastery of St. Joseph. While she often seems to get distracted or  respond to experiences in her life, it unpacks Carmelite spirituality and prayer. She does have a wonderful sense of humor while teaching us how to grow closer to the Most Holy Trinity.  
 
In Mary’s Immaculate Heart, 
Fr. Stegbauer