Miriam Baouardy – A Palestinian Saint

Mariam Baouardy (1846-1878) was a remarkable young woman from I’billin (Abellin) in Palestine, gifted with many graces from God. At the age of 21 she became a Carmelite nun in France, thus joining a religious Order that traces its roots to the biblical Mount Carmel. Eight years later, she returned to the Holy Land where she founded the Carmelite monastery of Bethlehem, and through insights received from God was able to locate the lost site of Emmaus.
This book is the culmination of personal experiences from two individuals who have lived and reflected deeply in the Holy Land. Drawing also on interviews with the Carmel of Bethlehem and the authors’ archaeological work at Emmaus, it explores, in an engaging narrative, the life and legacy of Mariam. This book offers a rich spiritual message, a pilgrimage to the holy sites connected to her, and a figure who was oriented towards peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land.
When the compass of one’s heart consistently points towards the Holy Land, one must follow it to remain true to oneself. This was the case for Karl-Heinz Fleckenstein, a theologian, tour guide and writer, who in 1981 led a group of pilgrims from Germany to the Holy Land and found there his true home. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, his heart’s compass led him to Louisa, his guide and future wife. Their love blossomed instantly and endured until Karl-Heinz’s passing on January 18, 2025.
With a passion for archaeology, they both led pilgrimages along biblical trails and worked as coordinators and excavators at the ancient site of Emmaus-Nicopolis, bringing this biblical site from historical obscurity into the light. The discovery of Emmaus was due in large part to the contributions of Mariam, to whom Karl-Heinz and Louisa have dedicated this book.