Halfway to Heaven - (Cistercian Studies) by Robin Bruce Lockhart (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Founded 900 years ago by St Bruno, the Carthusians are the most completely enclosed religious order in the Catholic Church. Living alone and in silence in almost perpetual prayer, the monks are the spiritual heirs to the early Christians, the Desert Fathers. As the only order 'never to have been reformed because never deformed', the Carthusians have been described as 'the most precious jewel in the Church's crown'.

There is a Carthusian motto: To make saints not to publicize them'. Indeed because they shut themselves away from the world and shun all publicity, little is know about these monks, even among other religious orders. In this updated edition of a classic book, which includes new material, Robin Bruce Lockhart remedies the gap in our knowledge - without destroying the mystery of the order.

Halfway to Heaven is still the most comprehensive book ever written about the Carthusians. It is also an awesome source of inspiration in the art of contemplation and prayer.

Review Quotes

The author has been given an unprecedented aceess to archives and books unknown to the outside world. Mr Bruce Lockhart's splendid book will hopefully bring this knowledge to a wide public. . . Halfway to Heaven is a sublime and gripping read.Catholic Herald

Exhales a sweet serenity reminding us of the complex atrributes and simple rewards of silence and solitude.The New York Times

About the Author

Robin Bruce Lockhart (1920-2008) was a writer and retired newspaper executive. He was also the editor of Listening to Silence: An Anthology of Carthusian Writings.