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Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year
Divine Intimacy is undoubtedly the classic Carmelite work on meditation---a book that helps one arrive at intimate union with God by the practice of considering holy truths. It is a book that shows how to join prayer and action and put the Catholic doctrine on the spiritual life into practice daily. Divine Intimacy has been translated into all principal languages and has met with extraordinary success, bringing encouragement and spiritual profit to lay people as well as priests and religious. For each day of the year, Fr. Gabriel gives 1) a brief introduction, 2) a two-part meditation, followed by 3) a colloquy---holy acts of love, thanksgiving, petition, resolution, etc., addressed to Our Lord and based on the truths just meditated upon. About three pages are devoted to each day, so it reads quickly, and even the busiest person can use it regularly. The meditations for Sundays are based on the Sunday Gospel readings of the traditional liturgical calendar. Grounding his work on a firm Thomistic basis, Fr. Gabriel (1893-1953) draws from Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the great Carmelite Saints, including St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. His goal---marvelously achieved---is to cover the whole doctrine of the spiritual life in the course of a year. This is a lifetime book---one that is conceived to be used each day and to be read over and over. Divine Intimacy imparts an absolutely Catholic view of life and prepares the reader for the greatest possible union with God this side of Heaven. Made in U.S.A. No. 2107. 5 1/4" x 8 1/4" 1,227 Pp. Leatherbound.
1182 pages, Leather Bound
First published January 1, 1952
362 people are currently reading
1145 people want to read
About the author
Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen
17 books11 followersFather Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., was a Discalced Carmelite priest who became one of the most revered masters of the spiritual life. He acquired a vast knowledge of the ways that lead to holiness and to union with God. His experience with souls, whom he guided to the heights of perfection, was outstanding.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 2, 2023
January 1, 2023: Every year I read some of this amazing book, but this year, it is my New Year's resolution to read ALL of this book! May God grant me to Grace to do so!
Today, December 1, 2018, is the last day of the old Liturgical year. Tomorrow begins the new Catholic Liturgical Year. Although I tried to read this every day this year, I cannot say I was very faithful. Still, when I did, I was richly rewarded. This year my goal, if it be God’s will and with His help, is to begin each day with this book rather than pick up my kindle as was my habit. The immediate feedback of being wired into the world is so tempting. If I don’t post much on this book anymore—feedback from dear friends is too tempting—may it be because of endeavors to read more and post less, with a view toward true Divine Intimacy.
July 19, 2018: Today I read something I would highlight in any other book. Not liking to mark in this one, here is the quote:
Jan 5, 2018: I have really had to grow into this book. It came highly recommended to me many years ago and I rushed out to buy it, only to be turned off by it. Published in 1952, it reads rather tersely* not unlike Francis Fernandez and his series beginning with, In Conversation with God - Volume 1 Part 1: Advent, which I had the same reaction to for many years. A few attempts at each left me feeling inadequate, a sure sign I am not ready for a book ... and may never be.
Since then many others have continued to recommend this and Fernandez to me. Now as a Secular Carmelite, Divine Intimacy comes even more highly recommended. So I am going to try this year to read the entire book. Here is a calendar guide which while especially for Carmelites, is available and applicable to all.
*It was originally written in Italian, so translation may have something to do with this as well.
Today, December 1, 2018, is the last day of the old Liturgical year. Tomorrow begins the new Catholic Liturgical Year. Although I tried to read this every day this year, I cannot say I was very faithful. Still, when I did, I was richly rewarded. This year my goal, if it be God’s will and with His help, is to begin each day with this book rather than pick up my kindle as was my habit. The immediate feedback of being wired into the world is so tempting. If I don’t post much on this book anymore—feedback from dear friends is too tempting—may it be because of endeavors to read more and post less, with a view toward true Divine Intimacy.
July 19, 2018: Today I read something I would highlight in any other book. Not liking to mark in this one, here is the quote:
‘Do you know how to recognize the moments in which Our Lord visits your soul? A word read or heard, perhaps even by chance, an edifying example, an interior inspiration, a new light which makes you see your faults more clearly and opens new horizons of virtue and of good—all are visits from Jesus. And you, how do you correspond? Is your soul sensitive to these lights, to these admonitions? Do you not sometimes turn your gaze away, fearing that the light you have glimpsed may ask you for sacrifices which are too painful for your self-love?’
Jan 5, 2018: I have really had to grow into this book. It came highly recommended to me many years ago and I rushed out to buy it, only to be turned off by it. Published in 1952, it reads rather tersely* not unlike Francis Fernandez and his series beginning with, In Conversation with God - Volume 1 Part 1: Advent, which I had the same reaction to for many years. A few attempts at each left me feeling inadequate, a sure sign I am not ready for a book ... and may never be.
Since then many others have continued to recommend this and Fernandez to me. Now as a Secular Carmelite, Divine Intimacy comes even more highly recommended. So I am going to try this year to read the entire book. Here is a calendar guide which while especially for Carmelites, is available and applicable to all.
*It was originally written in Italian, so translation may have something to do with this as well.
January 2, 2022
I left off reading this at the start of Lent and am now returning to it as this book follows the Church and not the calendar year. It finishes for this calendar and begins again in 2022.
December 4, 2013
This is probably one of the best books I have read on understanding prayer and intimacy with God. He quotes extensively from Carmelites throughout the ages especially John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. I has daily readings with a special topic for each reading for instance Transforming love, The Yes of Perfect consent,Desolation and Darknes, etc. It is book that goes on year after year with new meaning to life and divine intimacy.
December 4, 2013
An outstanding daily meditation volume. It has two meditations for each day.
The meditations are written in such a way that as you proceed on your spiritual journey they unfold and you get more out of them each year that you read them.
This is my fifth year and they continue to be a new source of knowledge and direction on the journey.
The meditations are written in such a way that as you proceed on your spiritual journey they unfold and you get more out of them each year that you read them.
This is my fifth year and they continue to be a new source of knowledge and direction on the journey.
December 1, 2021
A book to be read year after year and never exhausted! LORD, help me be more and more faithful to reading this and following its instruction.
December 4, 2013
After spending a whole Liturgical Year with this book, I can say that this book is something that anyone should read who wants to improve their devotional life, everyday there is something new to learn, this book covers every aspect of the Faith and the Life of Christ throughout the Liturgical Year. This book I would certainly recommend all people to read throughout the year, and once completed that book, to use it as a reference for several purposes when writing or speaking to a group of believers or even with evangelization. In my personal experience using this book, I found that as I went throughout the Liturgical Year as I was reading this book there were times that I realized the wisdom presented was timely, or I wished that I had read that particular piece of insight sooner. I do not intend to let this book go, but I do intend to let others know about it!
December 4, 2013
Outstanding daily meditations! The colloquy at the end of each reading speaks to the heart and is a wonderful prompt for further praise and thanksgiving!
Currently reading
September 1, 2016December is an especially good time to begin reading this book. It contains daily readings beginning with December 1. Each reading contains three parts: 1 entering into the presence of God, 2. meditation, 3 talking to God.
Sanctity: God has given us everything we need to become saints. Seeds of sanctification were planted with our baptism. Jesus sacrificed everything for us, now we need to do part. We need to say yes to accepting God's will in our life.
Deus caritas est......God is love
Sanctity for the lay person - fulfill you duty in life, whether in marriage, family, work, with friends or with anyone you meet. Always do it wholeheartedly and with no complaint and with love, always with love, even in the most difficult situations.
Sanctity: God has given us everything we need to become saints. Seeds of sanctification were planted with our baptism. Jesus sacrificed everything for us, now we need to do part. We need to say yes to accepting God's will in our life.
Deus caritas est......God is love
Sanctity for the lay person - fulfill you duty in life, whether in marriage, family, work, with friends or with anyone you meet. Always do it wholeheartedly and with no complaint and with love, always with love, even in the most difficult situations.
December 11, 2015
This is a beautiful book of daily meditations which should be in everyone's library! I plan to continue reading this book and hope to gift them to my daughters :-)
May 5, 2021
I haven't finished this one yet... but I don't like books hanging out on my reading shelf forever😏 This is a very helpful book in the spiritual life. There's a reading and colloquy for everyday of the year, following the traditional liturgical calendar. Some readings are appropriate meditation topics and some are more "how to" topics. I was hoping for all meditations. It also gears more towards the religious (nuns mainly).. but there is plenty for the average person as well. I do plan on continuing this to the end. And will probably pick it up from time to time in the future as well.
November 28, 2021
If you’re reading this review, you need to read this book
December 4, 2013
This book is an excellent daily spiritual retreat. I highly recommend it for any one desiring to walk and live a life in closer intimacy with God(see title). It is not for the faint-of-heart, but if allowed, it will inflame your heart with a holy passion. I have been using this book for personal reflection for some years now.
November 16, 2016
I'm just going to keep reading this book. It's excellent for meditations, and the author takes you through the development of spirituality and deepening of prayer life. It's beautiful, and I recommend it to anyone who is seeking communion with God. It's my new favorite, along with the Bible and the Imitation of Christ.
June 10, 2018
I have this as a four-volume paperback set that goes through every day of the liturgical calendar. There are two reflections each weekday, and one each Sunday (for each of three Sundays in the A, B, C rotation.)
I highly recommend this for personal daily reflection. This is a big part of my morning prayer routine, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
I highly recommend this for personal daily reflection. This is a big part of my morning prayer routine, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
May 30, 2018
Essential to advancing in prayer and creating a deeper connection with God. This book follows the Liturgical year and teaches application of the Christian faith through meditation. It's a book that never gets put back on the shelf, constantly in use.
December 4, 2013
An excellent guide for learning how to practice mental prayer; many excellent points of our Faith discussed for meditation!
December 4, 2013
This book was a gift from a lay carmelite that I directed on a retreat. It is said to undoubtedly be the classic Carmelite work on meditation. Wonderful jewel!
December 16, 2017
Excellent daily devotional, especially for those with a Carmelite spirituality.
November 30, 2024
A book to be savored, over and over.
First finished December 2018
Second reading December 2019
Third reading December 2022
Fourth reading December 2024
First finished December 2018
Second reading December 2019
Third reading December 2022
Fourth reading December 2024
December 19, 2019
on my third read. mind-changing, heart-changing, soul-changing, life-changing. I'm buying every single one of my kids their own copy to take into their own homes when they move out.
May 22, 2023
One of the most beautiful and informative spiritual books I've ever read. Highly recommend, even reading multiple times.
August 7, 2019
Incredible insights into the faith and very fruitful in promoting authentic virtue and prayer.
January 17, 2015
Steeped in Christianity, there is much here that applies to any one of us who admits a relationship with God. Much of this is mystical…lending itself to a direct and individual communication with our Creator. Here there are many seeds for personal reflection, and an opportunity to share in the mystical experiences of others.
November 18, 2018
A wonderful spiritual guidebook for a Catholic who wants an introduction to Carmelite spirituality, especially the Teresian method of mental prayer (named after St. Teresa of Jesus, reformer of the Carmelite Order). More importantly, a devotional book focused cultivating a spiritual life based on loving God and encountering God's love for you.
November 27, 2017
This book will change you if you let it.
LET IT!!!
Fantastic book. The only thing that was off was that it was written pre-Vatican II and so the Sunday readings do not match up with current Gospels. No biggie. You can still learn from the text, just read the Gospel they mention.
5 stars!
LET IT!!!
Fantastic book. The only thing that was off was that it was written pre-Vatican II and so the Sunday readings do not match up with current Gospels. No biggie. You can still learn from the text, just read the Gospel they mention.
5 stars!
January 3, 2017
This is a great choice daily meditative reading. Daily themes match the Church calendar.
December 27, 2018
The premier daily catechism in spiritual theology. Pick it up.
January 25, 2019
I really love this book! It was awesome.
July 10, 2019
I love that it follows the Traditional calendar, not the novus ordo.
January 13, 2024
I've read this devotional book most days over 4-plus years, and it never gets old or stops challenging me spiritually. The author was a Carmelite priest who wrote these meditations for Carmelite nuns, but they're easily adaptable to those of us living in the world who seek a closer relationship with God.
The book contains many quotes from Carmelites such as St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and others, as well as St. Augustine, St. Bernard, and many more.
I cannot imagine ever outgrowing this book!
It was written in the mid-20th century; to me, compared to older classics such as The Imitation of Christ, it seems uniformly relevant and applicable. (The Imitation is amazing ... it just requires a little more tweaking to apply to my own life.)
This book is best suited to Catholics who attend the traditional Latin mass because the Sunday and major feast day devotions are tailored to the propers for those days. However, the entire book is organized according to overarching spiritual themes and can be read profitably by any Catholic (and any Christian who is open to Catholic doctrine).
It is a beautiful book, too, with a nice leather cover and gilt-edged pages -- which makes it more of a shame that it was poorly proofread. Nothing major, but typos appear regularly. I would not knock off a star for that, but I hope Baronius Press is aware and will fix them!
The book contains many quotes from Carmelites such as St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and others, as well as St. Augustine, St. Bernard, and many more.
I cannot imagine ever outgrowing this book!
It was written in the mid-20th century; to me, compared to older classics such as The Imitation of Christ, it seems uniformly relevant and applicable. (The Imitation is amazing ... it just requires a little more tweaking to apply to my own life.)
This book is best suited to Catholics who attend the traditional Latin mass because the Sunday and major feast day devotions are tailored to the propers for those days. However, the entire book is organized according to overarching spiritual themes and can be read profitably by any Catholic (and any Christian who is open to Catholic doctrine).
It is a beautiful book, too, with a nice leather cover and gilt-edged pages -- which makes it more of a shame that it was poorly proofread. Nothing major, but typos appear regularly. I would not knock off a star for that, but I hope Baronius Press is aware and will fix them!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews