Enduring grace : living portraits of seven women mystics

Astonishingly relevant portraits of the lives of seven women mysticsKnown to more than a million readers as the coauthor of the classic vegetarian cookbook Laurel's Kitchen, Carol Lee Flinders looks to the hunger of the spirit in Enduring Grace. In these striking and sustaining depictions of seven remarkable women, Flinders brings to life a chorus of wisdom from the past that speaks with remarkable relevance to our contemporary spiritual quests. From Clare of Assisi in the Middle East to Therese of Lisieux in the late nineteenth century, Flinders's compelling and refreshingly informal portraits reveal a common foundation of conviction, courage, and serenity in the lives of these great European Catholic mystics. Their distinctly female voices enrich their writings on the experience of the inner world, the nourishing role of friendship and community in our lives, and on finding our true work. At its heart, Enduring Grace is a living testament to how we can make peace with sorrow and disappointment and bring joy and transcendence into our lives. Front Cover 1 Title Page 3 Contents 5 Acknowledgments 7 Preface 9 Introduction 23 1. Saint Clare of Assisi 37 2. Mechthild of Magdeburg 65 3. Julian of Norwich 99 4. Saint Catherine of Siena 125 5. Saint Catherine of Genoa 151 6. Saint Teresa of Avila 177 7. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux 213 8. Conclusion 243 Notes 251 Select Bibliography 261 Index 266 About the Author 274 Copyright 275 About the Publisher 276 Back Cover 278 REVELATION Astonishingly relevant portraits of the lives of seven women mystics Known to more than a million readers as the coauthor of the classic vegetarian cookbook Laurel's Kitchen, Carol Lee Flinders looks