During a recent in-flight press conference, Pope Leo XIV mentioned a book of spiritual reading that was important to him. The Practice of the Presence of God, is a compilation of letters and sayings from a 17th century French Carmelite friar named Brother Lawrence. Pope Leo explained that the work “describes a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead. If you want to know something about me, that’s been my spirituality for many years. In the midst of great challenges, living in Peru during years of terrorism, to be called in service in places I never thought I’d be called to, I trust in God and that message is something that I share with all people.” Speaking about his experience of being elected Pope, he cited the spirituality of Brother Lawrence as helping him put his trust in the Lord in the face of this unexpected and enormous new responsibility.
Brother Lawrence would seem an unlikely spiritual master. He came from peasant stock, joining the French army during the 30 Years War as a way of being fed and earning a small living. While serving in the army, he had a mystical experience when he noticed a tree in a battlefield. As it was winter, the tree had no leaves. But it occurred to him in the moment that soon enough the tree would be in blossom, and leaves and fruit would appear again on its now-lifeless branches. This thought filled him with awe at the Providence of God, and he felt his heart bursting with love for his Maker. Brother Lawrence eventually entered religious life at the age of 26 and served the monastic community by preparing meals and repairing sandals. Donald Attwater, who produced an English translation of The Practice of the Presence of God, writes that in his day Brother Lawrence “was known and venerated by the whole of Paris. And not only by the crowd of nameless and poor Christians who, in all ages and places, have had such a genius for detecting sanctity, but also by the learned, the distinguished and the noble, both clerical and lay.” In our day we can include a Sovereign Pontiff among those grateful for the spiritual guidance of Brother Lawrence.
In her forward to Attwater’s translation, Servant of God Dorothy Day reflects on the adventurous spirit that moves human beings to exert enormous effort in pursuit of great achievements, like putting a man on the moon. “It keeps coming into my mind – how much man would be capable of if his soul were strong in the love of God, if he wanted God as much as he wanted to penetrate the power and glory of God’s creation…. To find the way, not to the moon but to God – this is man’s real desire, because of his need for love. And God is love.” Brother Lawrence knew the way to God was simple. He knew the Lord was always present to him, including in the midst of pots and pans and at his cobbler’s bench. He knew that God is always in charge, that the Lord loved him both in good times and bad times, and that complicated techniques of prayer are not necessary to have an intimate relationship with God.
posted 12/13/25
The Parish of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel 