The Living Flame of Love: Study Edition

by John of the Cross, Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. (Translator), Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. (Translator)

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 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.

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

St. John of the Cross (Spanish: Juan de la Cruz), born June 24 1542, Juan de Yepes Álvarez, was a major Counter-Reformation figure, a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest. He was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered, along with St Teresa of Ávila, as a founder of the Discalced Carmelites. He's also known for his writings. Both his poetry & his studies on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature & a peak of all Spanish literature. He was canonized as a saint in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. He is one of the 33 Doctors of the Church. (less)

Reviews

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is truly a 5-star book. I have given four stars to better reflect my reading experience, because this classic is way beyond me. I was greatly helped by participating in a group book study (that gave impetus to keep reading) as well as an excellent series of six videos presented by the publisher, the Institute of Carmelite Studies via their podcast, "Carmelcast" (also available via YouTube). I was surprised to learn that this book - which reflects on the heights of mystical experience - is the best starting point for engaging St. John's writing, something I have wanted to do, but was hesitant to do because I assumed it would be far beyond me. Having finished the book, I see that this advice was right!

St. John of the Cross, recognized as one of the greatest Spanish poets, writes of the work of God in a soul who is open to Him. From his own mystical experience, John assures us that, when a person is seeking union with God, "the Beloved" desires this union even more. And that God is as present in the soul of the "beginner" (like me!) as in the soul of one experiencing the heights of mystical union. These were my chief takeaways, and if I got nothing else from this deceptively slim volume, they made the read rewarding.

I still do not have the significance and interrelation of John's imagery straight in my mind - the flames, the caverns, the logs, the fire... Clearly this is a book to return to, to reflect on and to ponder slowly. The commentary, by Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, who devoted much of his life to study of John of the Cross, is helpful; the podcast mentioned above even more so.

[booklady]

I am very sad that this is on my 'did not finish' shelf and it will not be here forever but it was due to changes in my primary duties in my Carmelite position that I had to set this down and pick up books by St. Teresa instead. I was reading - and very much enjoying this with my fellow Definitives - when I was assigned to teach our Formation I class who were studying The Way of Perfection, so that had to be my primary obligation. Hopefully I will return to this soon.

[Jeffrey A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Study Edition is especially helpful to understand the deep spiritual poetry of St John of the Cross. He wrote this poem about his peak spiritual experience with God. While the poem can speak to many levels of Christian interior experience it is more fully understood as that of a most refined soul communing with God. As with most bills by St John of the Cross and other Carmelite saints it is worth re-reading periodically as spiritual progress is made and more experiences are gained.

[Regena · Rating 1 out of 5]

UGH. I DETEST this sort of analysis of poetry. The questions were ok, though. VERY tedious and unnecessarily so….