The 332-year-old gift that delighted Pope Leo
Carmelite friars presented Pope Leo XIV with a rare 1694 edition of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection’s writings during his visit to the Institut Catholique de Paris. Brother Lawrence’s teaching on practicing the presence of God has deeply influenced Leo’s spirituality; the Pope has described it as part of his spirituality for years. The gift was especially meaningful because the institute occupies part of the former Carmelite monastery where Brother Lawrence lived. Leo said Brother Lawrence had deeply marked his faith journey through his mysticism of daily life.
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Pope Leo XIV received a 1694 first edition of writings by Carmelite Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection during his September 26 visit to the Institut Catholique de Paris. The gift connected the Pope’s longstanding spiritual influence to the former Carmelite monastery where Brother Lawrence had lived.
The Carmelite friars presented Leo with the volume, which came from the library of the Discalced Carmelites in Paris and contained Brother Lawrence’s writings. Leo appeared surprised and smiled as he recognized the book.
Leo has named Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God as a book that has shaped his spirituality, saying in December 2025 that it had been his spirituality for years. After receiving the gift, he said Brother Lawrence had deeply marked his faith journey through his mysticism of daily life.
Born Nicolas Herman in 1614, Brother Lawrence had served as a soldier before joining a Carmelite monastery in Paris. He worked as a cook and later repaired sandals, developing a spiritual practice of remaining aware of God’s presence during both prayer and ordinary work.
The Institut Catholique occupies part of the former Carmelite monastery where Brother Lawrence lived for decades, so Leo received the writings in a place closely connected to their author.
Everyday life can cultivate awareness of God’s presence
Yes. Ordinary life can become a place of encounter with God—not because every task is automatically prayer, but because you can do it with love, faithfulness, and awareness of God’s presence. Pope John Paul II taught that daily work and responsibilities can become a “dialogue of love” and a means of union with Christ.
You might begin simply: before a task, offer it to God; while doing it, return your attention to him with a brief prayer; and in your dealings with others, ask how to serve them well. Even repetitive or unnoticed duties can be offered to God, while patience, diligence, and care for others give that offering practical shape.
Awareness may come and go. The aim is not to feel God’s presence constantly, but to live by faith and keep turning your heart toward him amid the day’s real responsibilities.