Book of the Beloved (ePub)

Mairi Colme, born in 1953, grew up in Yorkshire. After achieving high exam-results at a grammar school she took it in her head to go to Austria, and wrote to Rome to ask if a place could be found for her working in a monastery in the mountains. As a crazily brave 18-year-old with an address in her hand of such a place, she set off . For several years she had adventures in Austria, working with young people and cleaning guesthouses, being intoxicated by Gregorian chant, climbing mountains and having mystical experiences. When she returned to England she continued to work with children, andthen tried her vocation in an enclosed Benedictine convent.

Realising she was too young for this, she went to St.Andrews university at the age of 23, and graduated with an MA Honours degree in English language and literature. At that point she embarked on writing a book about the life of Jesus. There followed a dark troubled period of fourteen years during which she struggled with bringing up a son and with mental health issues. She transcended this however and found a healing catharsis through writing a book about her story. For years she then campaigned for mental health, did training courses, and studied Mathematics. She now hopes to return to university to study Theology.

In the last few years she has been working to finish the mystical text which she considers her magnum opus. Upon returning to Austria in May 07 she was accepted and blessed as a Benedictine oblate. So she now feels she is fulfilling her calling to be a contemplative in the world.