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Book: Let It Be by Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm


Hot on the heels of their new formation resource Climbing the Mountain, Saint Albert's Press, the publishing house of the British Province of Carmelites, has published (in conjunction with Edizioni Carmelitane in Rome) the latest book of Father Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., Prior General of the Carmelite Order between 1995 and 2007.

The book is entitled Let It Be: Pondering the Scriptures in company with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and offers a reflection on all the passages in the Bible which relate to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Drawing on the ancient traditions underlying the practice of Lectio Divina (holy reading), Father Joseph shares insights from the Christian contemplative tradition, particularly the teachings of Saint John of the Cross on the need to overcome the 'false self', and enter into the 'dark night' of sense and spirit, through which God's transforming love takes hold.

The book has already been met with great acclaim. It has been endorsed by Cardinal Keith O'Brien who has made it his 'recommended reading for Advent 2010' in his Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. The Cardinal said: "Father Joseph's excellent meditations help us, like Christ's Mother, to read our lives in the light of God's Word. I pray that this book will draw readers to a deeper knowledge and love of God through Scripture and the Church's contemplative tradition.'

Bishop Malcolm McMahon, OP, has likewise adopted the book as his official Advent reading in Nottingham Diocese, stating: "Praying with Mary as we approach the birth of her Son Jesus at Christmas is a wonderful way to prepare for the coming of Christ who enters our life every day. Fr. Joseph's reflections provide a guide which is full of insight and wisdom."

The book is a sequel to Fr Joseph's best-seller of 2007, entitled The Sound of Silence, which offered guided readings of the Scripture passages relating to the Old Testament Prophet Elijah. Carmelites regard Elijah and Mary as the two patrons of their Order, hence a book of Scriptural reflections on Our Lady was a natural development. Like The Sound of Silence, Let It Be is beautifully illustrated, with over 25 images of Mary as she is depicted in Carmelite art around the world.

The book is both easy to read yet spiritually profound, inspiring the Jesuit priest Nicholas King, SJ - who teaches the New Testament at the University of Oxford and is the Chair of the Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain - to remark: "This is an outstanding book, just the thing for those who feel a bit embarrassed at either the idea of praying the Scriptures or the Catholic devotion to Mary. Buy it, read it, and pray your way through it; your life will not be the same again." Fr. Nicholas kindly wrote the Foreword to the book.

To read an extract of Let It Be please click here

The book retails at £12.95 (plus £2 postage and packing within the United Kingdom; overseas customers should check international postage rates with Saint Albert's Press when ordering). To order please send a cheque for £14.95 per copy, made payable to Carmelite Friars Projects & Publications, to:

Saint Albert's Press Distribution
Carmelite Friars
P.O. Box 140
Kent
ME20 7SJ
United Kingdom

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