Recommended Books for Ongoing Formation and Personal Reading

Carmelite Books
Photo by Catherine Weeks (own work)
Phase 3

Formation is a lifelong process which involves individuals at every level and stimulates their conversion; in other words, it is a radical re-orientation and a progressive transformation of their selves and of their relationships with others and with God.

Carmelite Formation: A Journey of Transformation

Selection Criteria

  • For a book to be acceptable for ongoing formation It needs to be approved Carmelite literature, a Carmelite author or published by a Carmelite Publishing House (such as ICS), or specifically approved.
  • The following lists are a sampling of recommended books for ongoing formation and for personal reading.
  • In general, history books or biographical books do not lend themselves to ongoing formation discussion.
  • Keep in mind that one of the reasons for ongoing formation is to direct you on the Carmelite journey with ideas on how to delve deeper in to the Carmelite charism and spirituality.

The titles below have been checked, and (as of 2020) all are currently available. Simply search the author/title on the internet (using Google, Bing, or your favorite search engine) and you will be directed to available resources to obtain the book. Please keep in mind that availability does change over time.

Books for Ongoing Formation

(Revised January 2020)

Books listed by author’s last name. Please check the Websites tab for Carmelite websites that offer these books for sale. Note that some titles may no longer be available.

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Books for Personal Reading

(Revised January 2020)

Recommended reading for those interested in Carmelite commentaries, saints and spirituality.

Download List download

  • Ackerman, JaneElijah, Prophet of Carmel
  • Alvarez, Tomas, OCD/Domingo, Fernando, OCDThe Divine Adventure
  • Baudouin-Croix, MarieLeonie Martin: A Difficult Life
  • Boaga, Emanuele, O. Carm.The Lady of the Place
  • Carmelite Media — The Carmelite NGO: Meeting the People in the Marketplace
  • Cutri, Sr. Mary Paul, OCDSounding Solitude
  • Dacha DiarVelasco, Balbino, O. Carm. — St. John of the Cross – His Origins
  • deMeester, ConradYour Presence is My Joy; Life and Message of Elizabeth of the Trinity
  • Dolle, ConstantEncountering God in the Abyss
  • Foley, Marc, OCDSt. Teresa of Avila, Book of Her Foundations
  • Gaucher, GuyJohn and Thérèse: Flames of Love, The Influences of St. John of the Cross in the Life and Writings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
  • Glueckert, Leopold, O. Carm.Desert Springs in the City: a Concise History of the Carmelites
  • Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD
    • Collected Works of John of the Cross
    • Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 1, 2, 3
  • Mangin, HeleneThe Extraordinary Parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
  • Martin, Louis and ZelieCall to a Deeper Love: Correspondence between Zelie and Louis Martin
  • McGreal, Wilfred, O.Carm.At the Fountain of Elijah: The Carmelite Tradition
  • Medwick, CathleenTeresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul
  • Miller, CharlesTogether in Prayer: Learning to Love the Liturgy of the Hours
  • Moorcroft, JenniferGod is All Joy: Life of St. Teresa of the Andes
  • O’Sullivan, Tracy, O. Carm. — Praying Our Way Toward Wholeness
  • Steggink, Otger, O. Carm.Introduction to the Dwelling Places of the Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila
  • Payne, Steven, OCD, editor — The Carmelite Tradition
  • Ribot, Felip, O. Carm.Book of the First Monks
  • Snow, Glenn, O.Carm.Foundation Stones: A Primer in Carmelite History and Charism
  • Stein, Edith (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)
    • The Mystery of Christmas — Incarnation and Humanity
    • The Hidden Life
    • The Science of the Cross
  • Tijhuis Raphael, O. Carm.Nothing Can Stop God from Reaching Us — Survivor’s Diary
  • Valabek, Redemptus, O. Carm. — Mary, Mother of Carmel, Vol. 1 and 2
  • Von Balthasar, HansTwo Sisters in the Spirit: Thérèse of Lisieux and Elizabeth of the Trinity
  • Welch, John, O. Carm.When Gods Die

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