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My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun
This is the 1955 autobiography of Cecelia Walsh, a high-spirited American woman who was drawn to the Order of Carmel, one of the oldest, most austere and strictly cloistered orders of nuns in the Catholic Church, and became Mother Catherine Thomas.
Here she writes of her three decades in the cloister with candor, sensitivity, and humor. She tells her story of her own vocation, her life as a Carmelite, what drew her to the cloister, and what kept her there, and includes the small details that many might wish to ask but are afraid to.
Here she writes of her three decades in the cloister with candor, sensitivity, and humor. She tells her story of her own vocation, her life as a Carmelite, what drew her to the cloister, and what kept her there, and includes the small details that many might wish to ask but are afraid to.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 13, 2023
My Beloved is part autobiography, part synthesis of Carmelite Spirituality but such a delicate blend the reader will glide between the two seamlessly.
Cecelia Walsh, Sr. Catherine Thomas—the names of her parents—heard the call to Carmel at an early age like her patron, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, but unlike the Little Flower, Celia’s parents were not thrilled with idea of her vocation. It may surprise some non-Catholics that not all otherwise-faithful Catholic parents enthusiastically support religious vocations for their children; in fact, some vehemently fight their children in this matter. Religious vocations are fine for someone else’s child, but not my daughter/son! Indeed, this was the case for Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, although Thomas was dead by the time his daughter came of age. It is not hard to be in sympathy with Catherine Walsh considering she knew she would probably never see Celia again (in this life) after she ‘took the veil’, as indeed was the case. As a mother of daughters, myself, I know the sacrifice would be terribly hard, so I understand completely. I like to think I would have been tried to be supportive or at least not done anything discouraging, but that is easy to say since it hasn’t happened to me.
Nevertheless, Celia entered Carmel in New York City in 1927 and became a ‘fully-clothed’ Carmelite sister six years later. Not that she went around half dressed before that; that is just the expression used to denote the complete habit of full-profession. Novices, nuns-in-training, if you will, wear different dress signifying their levels of commitment. Sr. explains all this in the book.
From New York City, Sr. Catherine moved to our own monastery here in Oklahoma City, the second one founded by the sisters, as they had already outgrown the first. Eventually she became Prioress, Mother Catherine Thomas as she appears as author of this book. She is scanty on dates, details and stories except as they fit into the points she is making, so if you are looking for a history of the order during these years, you will be disappointed. I admit, I would have liked more in this area, but lapped up every drop she spilled! Still she is such a delightful writer I could hardly put the book down. Mostly she taught me what a poor Carmelite I still am, and yet many tips for improvement, mostly by not focusing on myself!
Here are some pictures which show life in the convent.
There are so many excellent quotes I should like to include but it will take me awhile to go back through and include them. Usually I highlight my books but in the case of this one as it is a rare and old copy I was loathe to mark it. I did, however, contact ICS, the best source for all Carmelite publications and ask them to reissue this as an excellent lived example of traditional Carmelite Spirituality right here in America. I really hope they will take me up on it.
This review is not finished as I have so much more to add by way of quotes and notes, but this is a start.
When I finally feel I have mined it for all the gold therein I will loan it out to fellow Carmelite brothers and sisters I can trust to treasure it as it should be.
5 stars ++
June 20, 2018: When one of our dear Carmelite sisters died recently, I got on the Internet to read up on our little Oklahoma Community and discovered there was an autobiography written by one of the Mother Superiors. Imagine my excitement! It begins from her earliest memories as a girl. Even then she knew she was called by God.
Cecelia Walsh, Sr. Catherine Thomas—the names of her parents—heard the call to Carmel at an early age like her patron, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, but unlike the Little Flower, Celia’s parents were not thrilled with idea of her vocation. It may surprise some non-Catholics that not all otherwise-faithful Catholic parents enthusiastically support religious vocations for their children; in fact, some vehemently fight their children in this matter. Religious vocations are fine for someone else’s child, but not my daughter/son! Indeed, this was the case for Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, although Thomas was dead by the time his daughter came of age. It is not hard to be in sympathy with Catherine Walsh considering she knew she would probably never see Celia again (in this life) after she ‘took the veil’, as indeed was the case. As a mother of daughters, myself, I know the sacrifice would be terribly hard, so I understand completely. I like to think I would have been tried to be supportive or at least not done anything discouraging, but that is easy to say since it hasn’t happened to me.
Nevertheless, Celia entered Carmel in New York City in 1927 and became a ‘fully-clothed’ Carmelite sister six years later. Not that she went around half dressed before that; that is just the expression used to denote the complete habit of full-profession. Novices, nuns-in-training, if you will, wear different dress signifying their levels of commitment. Sr. explains all this in the book.
From New York City, Sr. Catherine moved to our own monastery here in Oklahoma City, the second one founded by the sisters, as they had already outgrown the first. Eventually she became Prioress, Mother Catherine Thomas as she appears as author of this book. She is scanty on dates, details and stories except as they fit into the points she is making, so if you are looking for a history of the order during these years, you will be disappointed. I admit, I would have liked more in this area, but lapped up every drop she spilled! Still she is such a delightful writer I could hardly put the book down. Mostly she taught me what a poor Carmelite I still am, and yet many tips for improvement, mostly by not focusing on myself!
Here are some pictures which show life in the convent.
There are so many excellent quotes I should like to include but it will take me awhile to go back through and include them. Usually I highlight my books but in the case of this one as it is a rare and old copy I was loathe to mark it. I did, however, contact ICS, the best source for all Carmelite publications and ask them to reissue this as an excellent lived example of traditional Carmelite Spirituality right here in America. I really hope they will take me up on it.
This review is not finished as I have so much more to add by way of quotes and notes, but this is a start.
When I finally feel I have mined it for all the gold therein I will loan it out to fellow Carmelite brothers and sisters I can trust to treasure it as it should be.
5 stars ++
June 20, 2018: When one of our dear Carmelite sisters died recently, I got on the Internet to read up on our little Oklahoma Community and discovered there was an autobiography written by one of the Mother Superiors. Imagine my excitement! It begins from her earliest memories as a girl. Even then she knew she was called by God.
June 19, 2019
A wonderful little gem of a book. Structured as a memoir, the book is both entertaining and deeply insightful. I love reading about women monastics, and this book is a window into a Carmelite cloister and the daily lives of the nuns. The memoir is also interspersed with passages beautifully describing Carmelite spirituality and many quotations from the great Carmelite saints. I read this book on kindle and loved it so much that I’m now scouring the internet for an affordable copy.
October 14, 2024
I found this for two bucks in an op shop. What a gem. An edifying yet delightfully warm peak into American Carmelite life immediately pre-Vatican 2. Mother Catherine Thomas has given us an Anglophone Histoire d'une âme for those seeking peace in our modern age.
"Too much gazing at the ground can prevent one from seeing Heaven" (p. 76).
"Too much gazing at the ground can prevent one from seeing Heaven" (p. 76).
December 12, 2019
+JMJT+
The Carmelite's life is so different from life in the world and even many religious communities. Instead of teaching or nursing as their main apostolate, Carmelite nuns devote their lives to prayer and penance. This book provides a rare and interesting look at the Carmelite's life. It is far from boring and far from any of the silly stereotypes you might have heard.
Not only does this book explain the Carmelite's routine of life but it also tells you some of their vocation stories. Mother Catherine explains that there isn't just one type of girl who naturally fits in Carmel nor is it for the failure at life.
This book is an easy read balanced with stories, history, Carmelite life, and devotions. If you are looking to learn more about the Carmelite vocation and life in general, this is a perfect read!
This was actually my second time reading it this year. It was recommended to me by Mother Teresa at a Carmel I visited. I'm so glad she did!
The Carmelite's life is so different from life in the world and even many religious communities. Instead of teaching or nursing as their main apostolate, Carmelite nuns devote their lives to prayer and penance. This book provides a rare and interesting look at the Carmelite's life. It is far from boring and far from any of the silly stereotypes you might have heard.
Not only does this book explain the Carmelite's routine of life but it also tells you some of their vocation stories. Mother Catherine explains that there isn't just one type of girl who naturally fits in Carmel nor is it for the failure at life.
This book is an easy read balanced with stories, history, Carmelite life, and devotions. If you are looking to learn more about the Carmelite vocation and life in general, this is a perfect read!
This was actually my second time reading it this year. It was recommended to me by Mother Teresa at a Carmel I visited. I'm so glad she did!
December 10, 2021
This book is absolutely excellent and beautiful!
Not only does Mother Catherine Thomas share her story of how she became a Carmelite nun, but she also explains succinctly and eloquently the purpose of Contemplative life, along with silence, penance, and prayer. A must read!
Not only does Mother Catherine Thomas share her story of how she became a Carmelite nun, but she also explains succinctly and eloquently the purpose of Contemplative life, along with silence, penance, and prayer. A must read!
June 26, 2025
Absolutely beautiful! Carmelites hold such wonder for me. Though it is a vocation for a select few I think Catholics in general would benefit to adopt some of the practices of Carmel in daily life. One needn't be a religious to be a contemplative. I will leave you to find out what some of those practices might be for Mother Catherine relays her story in such a sincere way one cannot help but be touched by this nun's devotion to her Beloved.
June 7, 2011
Glad I read this.... a very real story about an outgoing young woman who is called by our Lord to become a carmelite nun.
October 15, 2021
I mistook this for "A Right to be Merry," another book with a yellow cover, written by a cloistered monastic, who moves from her original community to a new one, and decided to read it, anyway, since sometimes by chance one can find something interesting.
This one predates the other by a good 20-30 years, and it shows, having been published in 1955. What gems there were about the contemplative life were dulled by the commentary about "godless professors," the evils of evolution, and such other comments that had nothing to do with the narrative. (Mother Catherine could've done with a better editor.)
While I'm very much on the Benedictine/Cistercian axis, the pre-Vatican II expression of Carmelite spirituality seems a bit strange and out of balance. It would've been nice to have a modern Carmelite offer a prologue to put things into context. The chapter, especially, on mortification and penance made my inner Benedictine cringe.
Mother Mary Francis's book is literally bursting with joy at the contemplative life, something this book lacks, much to its detriment.
This one predates the other by a good 20-30 years, and it shows, having been published in 1955. What gems there were about the contemplative life were dulled by the commentary about "godless professors," the evils of evolution, and such other comments that had nothing to do with the narrative. (Mother Catherine could've done with a better editor.)
While I'm very much on the Benedictine/Cistercian axis, the pre-Vatican II expression of Carmelite spirituality seems a bit strange and out of balance. It would've been nice to have a modern Carmelite offer a prologue to put things into context. The chapter, especially, on mortification and penance made my inner Benedictine cringe.
Mother Mary Francis's book is literally bursting with joy at the contemplative life, something this book lacks, much to its detriment.
January 20, 2025
beautiful
A beautiful description of faith, devotion to Jesus and a testament to the life of a Carmelite.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it peaceful that a woman such as Sr. Catherine Thomas ( and many others) could devote her entire life to God. I may just read it again!
A beautiful description of faith, devotion to Jesus and a testament to the life of a Carmelite.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it peaceful that a woman such as Sr. Catherine Thomas ( and many others) could devote her entire life to God. I may just read it again!
May 16, 2019
It took a few pages to get into it.
Although it's not a lifestyle for me, Mother Catherine Thomas writes beautifully.
Her writing is like having a conversation with her and you can feel the love in the words.
Although it's not a lifestyle for me, Mother Catherine Thomas writes beautifully.
Her writing is like having a conversation with her and you can feel the love in the words.
September 16, 2023
I generally like books about nuns. This was pretty good. I’m curious about the interior life of a contemplative order nun. This explored the daily life and struggles and satisfactions of the author.
May 29, 2024
Mother Catherine really got into what life was like as a Carmelite. I just wish she had elaborated on what the concepts of their life actually look like from day to day.
October 7, 2023
This book offers a beautiful glimpse into Carmel in a personal account by Mother Catherine Thomas. She offers practical insight into the life of a nun, including her own vocational journey, as well as rich wisdom and spiritual reflection on prayer, virtue, the evangelical counsels, penance, and holiness that is valuable for Christians in any state of life. I was surprised by how readable and accessible this book was. You don't read this book as if from a faceless holy orb, but from the heart of a joyful disciple of Christ and spiritual mother who loves the world, even as she lives apart from it, and knows the experience of deep peace.
September 17, 2021
Full of fascinating detail
Great personal account of one ordinary girl's journey into the Carmelite order, a very readable and interesting blend of autobiography and theology. Inspiring reading for the vocationally discerning, but a fascinating story for anyone else interested in Catholicism.
Great personal account of one ordinary girl's journey into the Carmelite order, a very readable and interesting blend of autobiography and theology. Inspiring reading for the vocationally discerning, but a fascinating story for anyone else interested in Catholicism.
January 28, 2016
Recommended by Sr. Mary Ann
Summary: Mother Catherine Thomas's life story.
Review: I enjoyed it. I was really involved in her vocation story and started to lose interest in the last few chapters. Overall, though, it was very good.
Summary: Mother Catherine Thomas's life story.
Review: I enjoyed it. I was really involved in her vocation story and started to lose interest in the last few chapters. Overall, though, it was very good.
October 26, 2011
A peak over the walls of a cloistered order of nuns.
Want to read
November 14, 2012I have read it many years ago. Have enjoyed reading it immensely.
February 21, 2020
What a beautiful insight into the hidden life of Carmel. This book is perfect for anyone discerning a Carmelite vocation or just wants to know more about the Carmelites.
October 28, 2020
Wonderful
This book was wonderful. I did not want it to end!! I highly recommend it!! I never got bored. Fabulous!!
This book was wonderful. I did not want it to end!! I highly recommend it!! I never got bored. Fabulous!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews