This event is an Ecumenical Dialogue on St. Thérèse of Lisieux between Anders Cardinal Arborelius, OCD, Bishop of Stockholm, and Lutheran bishop Karin Johannesson, bishop of Uppsala. Both have written and spoken widely on the saints and spirituality of Carmel. This dialogue is intended to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beatification of the Little Flower and the 150th anniversary of her birth.
Lutheran bishop Johannesson discusses why she is interested in Carmelite spirituality. She shares details about her own upbringing and spiritual journey. In her teen years, she was greatly influenced by Thérèse’s Story of a Soul and by several books by the Carmelite author Wilfred Stinnisen. These and many other books on Carmelite spirituality helped form her own spirituality.
Cardinal Arborelius shares his conversion story. He was a Lutheran who had a longing for God and found it in the Catholic faith. More specifically, he found it in the Carmelite tradition with its emphasis on the interior life and prayer.
Together they discuss the importance of their shared spiritual journey and appreciation of the Carmelite Way as manifested in the life and spirituality of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
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NOTE: Introductory remarks begin about 20 minutes into the video, so feel free to fast forward to that point. Dialogue between Cardinal Aborelius and Lutheran Bishop Johannesson begins at 31:00.
Established within the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, the Center for Carmelite Studies promotes academic studies and research related to this rich Carmelite tradition, as well as pastoral application of the results, through courses, programs, lectures, workshops, and publications, as well as supervision and scholarship support for doctoral projects on Carmelite topics. The Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary is the sponsor of the endowed Chair and Center for Carmelite Studies.
