Books

NOT ALL NUNS MAY DO THIS, by Erika Lorenz

Reviewed by Michael E. Daniel

Contents - Mar 2015 - Buy a copy now Editorial: AD2000 to be available online only - Peter Westmore Synod: AFA calls for Synod to strengthen support for families - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Rediscovering the spiritual dimension in modern psychology - Wanda Skowronska Liturgy and mystery in the Mass - Audrey English Challenging radical Islam - John A. Azumah The parish priest and parish school - Fr John O'Neill The linen cloth and the Second Coming - Andrew Sholl The person and mission of St Joseph - Pope St John Paul Seventh iWitness Retreat: another youth ministry success - Br Barry Coldrey Apps: Smartphone apps to bring you closer to God - Peter Westmore NACF: National Catholic Families Conference attracts 400 to Albury - Kathleen Horsfall and Marie-Louise Fowler Letters: Persecution in China - Christopher Rule Letters: Abortion - Brian Coman Letters: Mary's knowledge - Carmel Ford Letters: Anne Lastman replies ... - Anne Lastman Letters: Synod of Bishops - John R. Barich Books: MODERN MORAL PROBLEMS: Trustworthy Answers to Tough Questions, William B Smith - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: NOT ALL NUNS MAY DO THIS, by Erika Lorenz - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Hail Mary, Full of Grace - Anne Lastman

"NOT ALL NUNS MAY DO THIS"
by Erika Lorenz, trans Cyprian Blamires OCDS
(Gracewing & Freedom Publishing, 2013, 176pp, $19.95, ISBN: 9781781829950

Throughout the history of the Church there have been famous friendships/associations, such as that between Francis of Assisi and Clare.

This short volume explores the lesser-known spiritual friendship between St Teresa of Avila and Fr Jerome Gracian.

This work was first published in German in 1983. The author, Erika Lorenz (1923-2003) was a Professor at the University of Hamburg, her speciality being 16th century Spanish spirituality and lyric poetry.

Although a generation younger than St Teresa (b. 1515), as her spiritual director, Fr Gracian had an important influence in the development of St Teresa's spiritual life.

Born at Valladolid, Spain, in 1545, his father intended for him to succeed him as a royal secretary. However, during an illness as a young man, he decided to pursue theological studies for the priesthood.

As a young priest, Fr Jerome became drawn to the Carmelites, which he entered in 1572.

Against considerable opposition, Fr Jerome sought to introduce the discalced reforms. He first met St Teresa in 1575, and they collaborated in extending the discalced reform.

Much of this volume explores their correspondence as St Teresa wrote regularly, in some instances almost daily, to Fr Jerome, and this work contains numerous extracts from her letters to him.

As her spiritual director, Fr Jerome guided St Teresa's spiritual development in significant ways.

One important role he played was in insisting she write her spiritual autobiography, a work that has become a classic. She in turn encouraged Fr Jerome in his work.

In 1580, he was to be appointed Superior of the Discalced Carmelites, after the Carmelites granted them approbation.

However, after St Teresa's death, he would suffer persecution, and ultimately be expelled from the Discalced Carmelites in 1592.

En route to Rome from the port of Gaeta, Fr Jerome was captured and enslaved in Tunis.

His slavery gave him the opportunity to minister to fellow Christian slaves, before he was ransomed. Arriving in Rome, he was readmitted to the Calced Carmelites, and died in Brussels in 1614, five months after witnessing St Teresa's beatification.

Not All Nuns May Do This is an interesting portrait of a unique spiritual friendship. In particular, it highlights the overlooked role of Fr Jerome in St Teresa's spiritual development.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 28 No 2 (March 2015), p. 18