The kitchen friar\u2019s book that inspires Pope Leo\u2019s spirituality On the papal plane on the way home from his first international trip, Pope Leo XIV referenced a book that has greatly influenced his spirituality after being asked by a journalist about the conclave and what it\u2019s been like becoming the pope. \u201cBesides St. Augustine,\u201d Pope Leo said that \u201cThe Practice of the Presence of God\u201d by a 17th-century Carmelite friar named Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection is a book that can help anyone to understand his spirituality. \u201cIt\u2019s a very simple book by someone who doesn\u2019t even give his last name,\u201d the pope told journalists on the papal plane Dec. 2. \u201cI read it many years ago, but it describes a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead.\u201d \u201cAnd if you want to know something about me, that\u2019s been my spirituality for many years, in midst of great challenges \u2014 living in Peru, during years of terrorism, being called to service in places where I never thought I would be called to serve to \u2014 I trust in God, and that message is something that I share with all people,\u201d he continued. After being asked what it was like for him during the conclave, Pope Leo mentioned the book and said: \u201cI resigned myself to the fact, when I saw how things were going, [that] this could be a reality.\u201d \u201cI took a deep breath. I said, here we go. Lord, you\u2019re in charge, and you lead the way,\u201d he said. Who was Brother Lawrence? \u201cThe Practice of the Presence of God\u201d is a collection of Brother Lawrence\u2019s teachings \u2014 memorialized in about 30 pages of letters and records of his conversations. Though Brother Lawrence was virtually unknown in life, Father Joseph de Beaufort compiled his wisdom into a pamphlet published soon after his death in 1691. The book is now beloved by Catholics and Protestants alike. In his writings, Brother Lawrence presents a spirituality that involves being constantly in contact with God, being accompanied by him in all things \u2014 from cooking to shoe repair. Before he was Brother Lawrence, Nicholas Herman was a soldier during the Thirty Years\u2019 War. Because of a wartime injury, his leg impaired his movement and caused him constant pain for life. But as a young adult, he had a vision of Christ that would inspire him for the rest of his life; or, as de Beaufort recalled: \u201cwhich has never since been effaced from his soul.\u201d He went on to join the Discalced Carmelite Prior in Paris, doing humble work as a cook, and eventually working in the sandal repair shop as well. Brother Lawrence believed that little things could please God just as much as great things. \u201cWe ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work but the love with which it is performed,\u201d he taught. Amid the busy environment of a kitchen serving about 100 people, he still connected with God. In one recorded conversation, de Beaufort recalled Brother Lawrence saying that \u201cthe time of business \u2026 does not with me differ from the time of prayer.\u201d \u201cAnd in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess GOD in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament,\u201d he continued. This article was originally published by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Kate Qui\u00f1ones Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Massimiliano Strappetti: The last man Pope Francis saw and thanked before his death Vatican Unveils the Holy Lance: A Solemn Tribute to the Soldier of Faith, Saint Longinus Pope Francis: Blessed Carlo Acutis is an Example for Young People Receiving Confirmation Pope Francis concerned about deadly clashes in South Sudan Pope Francis names Bishop Frank Leo to lead Archdiocese of Toronto in Canada Pope Francis expels two more members of Sodality of Christian Life<\/p>\n