Jerome Gracián (1545–1614) was the first provincial of the Discalced Carmelite Order and a close collaborator of Saint Teresa of Ávila, the order's foundress. He brought stability and growth to St. Teresa's movement when it was still in its infancy, particularly among the friars. Praising Gracián in the Book of Her Foundations, Teresa writes: "Had I very much desired to ask His Majesty for a person to organize all things pertaining to the order in these initial stages, I would not have succeeded in asking for all that He gave me in Father Gracián. Our Lady has chosen him to help her order." After certain intrigues resulted in Gracián's expulsion from the order, he appealed to Rome and was eventually exonerated. After hearing Gracián's account of his dramatic experiences, the pope exclaimed he was "a saint." Although the Pilgrimage of Anastasius is largely Gracián's apologia pro vita sua, a defense of his conduct on behalf of the Discalced Carmelites, it also serves as a first-hand chronicle of the beginning of the Discalced Carmelite Order and sheds light on St. Teresa's vision and charism. Gracián was simultaneously St. Teresa's most ardent disciple and the superior to whom she made an extraordinary vow of obedience. He confirms the special love that St. Teresa had for him, and he loved her no less in return. Gracián fills his memoirs with captivating anecdotes involving influential historical figures and harrowing adventures. Notably, he relates the thrilling account of his capture at sea by slavers and his nearly two-year captivity in Tunisia. Above all, Pilgrimage of Anastasius offers readers a demonstration of Gracián's character, purity, and innocence. Observing how he maintained his faith amid his many trials, it is clear why St. Teresa loved him and had such confidence in him to carry out her vision for a religious renewal. About the Author Fr. Stephen Watson, O.C.D., is a Baltimore native and spent the summers of his youth working on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. In 1977, after reading St. John of the Cross, he left the ranch to enter the novitiate of the Discalced Carmelites in California. He received a B.A. in Spanish from Santa Clara University and a Master of Divinity from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1984. His first assignment was at El Carmelo Retreat House in Redlands, California. Since then, he has served the California-Arizona Province as provincial and served the order as a definitor general during the generalate of Fr. Luis Arostegui, O.C.D. After his term as definitor, he served as a missionary in Uganda. Presently he is the pastor of Santa Cruz Parish in Tucson, founded in 1919 by Discalced Carmelite friars from Catalonia.

Jerome Gracián (1545–1614) was the first provincial of the Discalced Carmelite Order and a close collaborator of Saint Teresa of Ávila, the order's foundress. He brought stability and growth to St. Teresa's movement when it was still in its infancy, particularly among the friars. Praising Gracián in the Book of Her Foundations, Teresa writes: "Had I very much desired to ask His Majesty for a person to organize all things pertaining to the order in these initial stages, I would not have succeeded in asking for all that He gave me in Father Gracián. Our Lady has chosen him to help her order." After certain intrigues resulted in Gracián's expulsion from the order, he appealed to Rome and was eventually exonerated. After hearing Gracián's account of his dramatic experiences, the pope exclaimed he was "a saint." Although the Pilgrimage of Anastasius is largely Gracián's apologia pro vita sua, a defense of his conduct on behalf of the Discalced Carmelites, it also serves as a first-hand chronicle of the beginning of the Discalced Carmelite Order and sheds light on St. Teresa's vision and charism. Gracián was simultaneously St. Teresa's most ardent disciple and the superior to whom she made an extraordinary vow of obedience. He confirms the special love that St. Teresa had for him, and he loved her no less in return. Gracián fills his memoirs with captivating anecdotes involving influential historical figures and harrowing adventures. Notably, he relates the thrilling account of his capture at sea by slavers and his nearly two-year captivity in Tunisia. Above all, Pilgrimage of Anastasius offers readers a demonstration of Gracián's character, purity, and innocence. Observing how he maintained his faith amid his many trials, it is clear why St. Teresa loved him and had such confidence in him to carry out her vision for a religious renewal. This book contains a fully linked Index.

Christians form the third largest religious community in India. How has this come about? There are many studies of separate groups: but there has so far been no major history of the three large groups - Roman Catholic, Protestant and Thomas Christians (Syrians). This work attempts to meet the need for such a history. It goes right back to the beginning and traces the story through the ups and downs of at least fifteen centuries. It includes careful studies of the political and social background and of the non-Christian reactions to the Christian message. The narration is non-technical and should present few difficulties to the thoughtful reader; the more technical matters are dealt with in notes and appendices. This book will be of interest to all students of Church History and will also prove fascinating to many who are concerned with the development of Christianity as a world religion and in the dialogue between different forms of faith.

The Roman Martyrology is an official and accredited record, on the pages of which are set forth in simple and brief, but impressive words, the glorious deeds of the Soldiers of Christ in all ages of the Church; of the illustrious Heroes and Heroines of the Cross, whom her solemn verdict has beatified or canonized. In making up this long roll of honor, the Church has been actuated by that instinctive wisdom with which the Spirit of God, who abides in her and teaches her all truth, has endowed her, and which permeates through and guides all her actions. She is the Spouse of Christ, without spot or wrinkle or blemish, wholly glorious and undefiled, whom He loved, for whom He died, and to whom He promised the Spirit of Truth, to comfort her in her dreary pilgrimage through this valley of tears, and to abide with her forever. She is one with Him in Spirit and in love, she is subject to Him in all things; she loves what He loves, she teaches and practises what He commands. Aeterna Press

St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross are among the greatest teachers of prayer in the Christian tradition. For nearly five centuries, their writings on the spiritual life have guided those seeking greater union with God. Beyond the written corpus of these saints, the lived experiences of these reformers of the Carmelite Order also draws fascination. Living in sixteenth-century Spain among kings, prelates, explorers, inquisitors, and reformers, these two saints were formed and sanctified by the context and circumstances of their historical time and place. In Context: Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, and Their World explores the social, cultural, intellectual, and religious themes that prevailed during the time in which St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross lived and breathed. This book is not only a thematic overview but also visits particular situations in the lives of these saints: the events that shaped their writings, their lives, and the Carmelite Reform they initiated. Offering for the first time in English a comprehensive contextual overview of the Carmelite reformers, Father O’Keefe draws upon pivotal scholarly sources not available to many beginner-to-intermediate students of spirituality. The extensive bibliographies point readers toward the next steps in diving deeper into Carmelite studies. Also including: + A fully linked comprehensive index + 16 pages of color photos. This book is an excellent resource for any earnest student of St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross.

First published in 2004.Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680) -- German Jesuit, occultist, polymath - was one of most curious figures in the history of science. He dabbled in all the mysteries of his time: the heavenly bodies, sound amplification, museology, botany, Asian languages, the pyramids of Egypt -- almost anything incompletely understood. Kircher coined the term electromagnetism, printed Sanskrit for the first time in a Western book, and built a famous museum collection. His wild, beautifully illustrated books are sometimes visionary, frequently wrong, and yet compelling documents in the history of ideas. They are being rediscovered in our own time. This volume contains new essays on Kircher and his world by leading historians and historians of science, including Stephen Jay Gould, Ingrid Rowland, Anthony Grafton, Daniel Stoltzenberg, Paula Findlen, and Barbara Stafford.-

This book Practicing the Presence of the Living God intends to be a guide for a spiritual journey. It can be used in a retreat center, at home, or at work when you are able to secure a few moments of quiet solitude and silence. It is structured around seven days - the number of days normally used for a spiritual retreat. However, the seven days can be reduced to a weekend if this is all the time you can afford. It can also be spread to a much longer time if your circumstances do not allow you to have this amount of hours at the same time. All that you need is your total self. God is totally present to you and you should be totally present to God also. It is based on Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection's little book The Practice of the Presence of God. More Information The content of Brother Lawrence's book encompasses a lifelong application that is life-changing. Its message is transformative in its utmost clarity and simplicity because it reveals the heart and soul of everyone's life purpose and work - to live joyfully in the presence of God no matter what our circumstances are. In his book, Brother Lawrence reveals a very ordinary life that most of us would not really desire, and yet as he fulfilled his everyday duties in the midst of the most mundane and tedious tasks, he learned to live the happiest and most rewarding life. With his gracious humility, "he thought...only of doing little things for the love of God since he was not capable of doing great things." Indeed, he modeled a life lived in the glory of God's love, peace, and joy. No wonder his book was called a "little spiritual classic," a "devotional masterpiece," an "unparalleled classic," and a book "relevant and timeless." Jean Maalouf in his thorough knowledge of Brother Lawrence's teachings becomes an exceptional guide for a retreat with Brother Lawrence. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jean Maalouf has two doctorates from Paris-Sorbonne University and L'Institut Catholique de Paris. He is the author and editor of more than twenty-five books that include the bestseller, Experiencing Jesus with Mother Teresa, and the three books on prayer: The Healing Power of Prayer, I Can Tell God Anything: Living Prayer, and Bold Prayers from the Heart. He also wrote numerous articles on spiritual, educational, psychological, philosophical, cultural, and social issues, as well as contributed to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Science, and Social Policy. He is a member of several associations that include the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Christian Philosophers, and Contemplative Outreach: Centering Prayer.