Books

MYSTICS IN THE MAKING: Laywomen in Today's Church, by Carolyn Humphreys

Reviewed by Br Barry Coldrey

Contents - Sep 2013 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Catholic voters and the 2013 Federal Election Hobart's new Archbishop ready for the challenges of leadership - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Cardinal Burke: What is good liturgy? World Youth Day 2013: Pope Francis inspires Rio - Peter Westmore Oasis: Finding rapprochement and peace among the Abrahamic religions - Patrick Byrne The Church's crises old and new - Bishop James D. Conley A covenant: essence of true marriage - Anne Lastman Frassati: The Holy Terror: a model for young Catholic men - Br Barry Coldrey Letters: Natural law - Fr Bernard McGrath Letters: Anniversary of Humanae Vitae - Ken Bayliss Letters: Year of Faith - John Frey Letters: Contraception is harmful - Anne Lastman Letters: Anti-life values - Andrew Foong Letters: Abortion link - George Simpson Letters: Inconsistency - John H. Cooney Letters: Causal connection - Francis Young Books: A PILGRIM'S JOURNEY: Autobiography of Ignatius of Loyola, Joseph N. Tylenda SJ - Michael E Daniel (reviewer) Books: WAYS OF PRAYING, by Father John Edwards SJ - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: MYSTICS IN THE MAKING: Laywomen in Today's Church, by Carolyn Humphreys - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Put on Christ: Pope Francis' World Youth Day homily - Pope Francis

MYSTICS IN THE MAKING:
Laywomen in Today's Church
by Carolyn Humphreys
(Gracewing, 2012, 204pp, $29.95. ISBN: 978-0-85244-780-2)

This is an attractive book written by an established author to assist busy, modern women in their spiritual growth. Carolyn Humphreys is an American Third Order Carmelite and the author of From Ash to Fire and Carmel, Land of the Soul.

The threads of ordinary living, ordinary moments, and ordinary people are woven through a tapestry of the supernatural opportunity presented by Christ for us to live a transcendent life.

The apparently ordinary can serve an extraordinary purpose when illuminated by God's light and love. Humphreys invites women to consider the spiritual heights to which God calls them. She draws women into a dialogue, which challenges them to revisit core beliefs, opening themselves to growth through divine transformation.

The book's release is timely. In our hyper-busy, stress-filled society, many women seeking deeper spiritual lives are not aware of the vast potential which lies within them to find a deeper union with the Triune God through simple interior steps to holiness.

The reader is reminded how much she is loved by God. We have been given many guides to enable us to live in mystical friendship with Jesus Christ. Chief among these guides are: the Scriptures, the Church, Our Lady, the Carmelite saints, grace, contemplative prayer, spiritual friendships and community. In addition, there are the Sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 26 No 8 (September 2013), p. 18