FIRE AND FLAME

Obbard, Elizabeth Ruth, O.Carm. The Living Flame of St John of the Cross simplified and abridged. 67pp PBK

St John of the Cross (1542-91) was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation, a Spanish mystic, a Roman Catholic saint, a Carmelite friar and a priest. Elizabeth R Obbard OCD, taking the teachings of St John of the Cross, brings out the aspect that we have to go through a purification – the fire and the flame – in order to be able to enjoy the love of God. The love of God is itself a fire – the fire of love. She has written it in the format we see in the Living Flame of St John, and yet it is her commentary on this work of his.