The Way of Transformation: Saint Teresa of Avila on the Foundation and Fruit of Prayer

by Mark O'Keefe, OSB

Overview

The Way of Transformation is a play on the title of St. Teresa's classic The Way of Perfection. Written for her Discalced Carmelite nuns, it is nonetheless considered Teresa's "operations manual" for anyone genuinely committed to the spiritual life. But by "perfection" she doesn't intend the futile pursuit of idealized flawlessness, as some might think. Rather, Teresa means achieving an authentic human fulfillment--a true becoming of that person we are meant to be.

Offering a fresh perspective on St. Teresa's thought, Father Mark O'Keefe draws our attention to the central fact that she considers the virtues--especially love of neighbor, detachment, and humility--as the essential and ever-relevant foundation for her spirituality of prayer.

This very human Doctor of the Church teaches that--whether in the 16th century or the 21st--prayer is intimately and necessarily linked with personal transformation. Authentic prayer is never divorced from our daily living: God, Teresa reminds us, "walks among the pots and pans."

With attention-catching quotations, helpful questions for personal reflection or group discussion, and a fully linked comprehensive index, The Way of Transformation is an excellent resource for any serious student of St. Teresa of Jesus and a must-read for everyone looking to explore Christian spirituality and prayer more deeply and authentically.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940156976812
Publisher:	ICS Publications
Publication date:	08/12/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Mark O’Keefe, OSB, is a Benedictine monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. He is associate professor of Moral Theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and from 1996-2008 was its president-rector. Currently, in addition to teaching at Saint Meinrad, Father O’Keefe is chaplain to the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Terre Haute, Indiana. He is the author of nine books, on Christian ethics, the priesthood, and Carmelite spirituality. His previous book with ICS Publications, Love Awakened by Love: The Liberating Ascent of Saint John of the Cross, was honored with a 2014 award for excellence from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. Father O’Keefe’s interest in Carmelite spirituality, especially its great teachers, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, has led him to specialized studies in Avila, Spain, over the course of several years.