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Living Flame of Love: Study Edition
St. John of the Cross described the stanzas of his poem, The Living Flame of Love, as the “songs of the soul in the intimate communication of the union of love with God.” The verses capture the mystical vistas from the summit of the saint’s spiritual journey, describing the mystery and powerful experience of divine transformation as the soul encounters and unites with the pure love of God.
After the poem’s composition and at the request of his friend, the laywoman Doña Ana de Peñalosa, St. John of the Cross wrote the prose commentary that represents his final word on the journey of the soul’s transformation toward union with God. In these verses and commentary, our saintly guide teaches us as the “Mystical Doctor of the Church,” but also as a gentle pastor. Readers can aptly place themselves in the position of Doña Ana—a fellow soul on this journey of transformation in God’s grace—following this holy shepherd along the narrow paths of purification toward our eternal dwelling place in God and union with him.
In this study edition, Father Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D., offers important context and contemporary interpretive notes concerning the teaching of St. John of the Cross in The Living Flame of Love. This edition
Study guides provided throughout the book, which provide helpful guidance and explanation; A glossary of terms offering definitions as they pertain to John’s specific usage throughout the work; Comprehensive indexes of key themes and biblical references, which make this edition an indispensable reference resource. Indexes are fully linked.With the combination of a modern scholarly translation of St. John of the Cross’s text and a contemporary commentary, The Living Flame of Study Edition affords readers the opportunity to gain a much deeper appreciation for the beauty and richness of St. John’s perennial teaching on the experience and science of love.
After the poem’s composition and at the request of his friend, the laywoman Doña Ana de Peñalosa, St. John of the Cross wrote the prose commentary that represents his final word on the journey of the soul’s transformation toward union with God. In these verses and commentary, our saintly guide teaches us as the “Mystical Doctor of the Church,” but also as a gentle pastor. Readers can aptly place themselves in the position of Doña Ana—a fellow soul on this journey of transformation in God’s grace—following this holy shepherd along the narrow paths of purification toward our eternal dwelling place in God and union with him.
In this study edition, Father Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D., offers important context and contemporary interpretive notes concerning the teaching of St. John of the Cross in The Living Flame of Love. This edition
Study guides provided throughout the book, which provide helpful guidance and explanation; A glossary of terms offering definitions as they pertain to John’s specific usage throughout the work; Comprehensive indexes of key themes and biblical references, which make this edition an indispensable reference resource. Indexes are fully linked.With the combination of a modern scholarly translation of St. John of the Cross’s text and a contemporary commentary, The Living Flame of Study Edition affords readers the opportunity to gain a much deeper appreciation for the beauty and richness of St. John’s perennial teaching on the experience and science of love.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
backburner
August 28, 2023As I am focusing on St. Teresa for the class I will be formator for next year, setting this aside for now...
This book is the latest from Institute of Carmelite Studies (ICS) and in addition to its being a Study Guide of the original classic work by Mystical Doctor, St. John of the Cross, there are also a series of helpful CarmelCast Youtube videos to go along with it. Hopefully our Secular community is going to select this book as our next definitive read. Even if they don't, though, I plan to get to it as soon as possible... Supposedly it is his most accessible work.
This book is the latest from Institute of Carmelite Studies (ICS) and in addition to its being a Study Guide of the original classic work by Mystical Doctor, St. John of the Cross, there are also a series of helpful CarmelCast Youtube videos to go along with it. Hopefully our Secular community is going to select this book as our next definitive read. Even if they don't, though, I plan to get to it as soon as possible... Supposedly it is his most accessible work.
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May 19, 2026This was my second time to read "Living Flame of Love" but the previous time was a different book. In truth, this is beyond my understanding. I will be reading it again. Maybe this year but definitely next year (I should start my first year of formation with the Lay Carmelites and it is something they read in the first year). I had a few highlights which I enjoyed too.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews