My Early Years / Adrienne von Speyr

The contemporary mystic and physician von Speyr gives an account of her early years which reveals her extraordinarily rich and integral personality. Written at the request of Hans Urs von Balthasar, the 50 year old von Speyr reflects on the significant events of her younger years, including some of her mystical experiences, which shaped the two key elements of her life: her unshakable resolve to become a doctor against incredible obstacles in order to help others, and her unquenchable longing to belong completely to God. Written in an upbeat and lively manner, this is an authentic first hand picture that reveals the boundless spirit and deeply sensitive soul of an extraordinary woman who was completely dedicated to her patients and yet lived (and wrote much about) a deeply mystical life.

Adrienne von Speyr was a contemporary Swiss convert, mystic, wife, medical doctor and author of some 70 books on spirituality and theology. She entered the Church under the direction of one the greatest theologians and spiritual writers of the 20th century, Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, who became her spiritual director and confessor for the last 30 years of her life. Her writings, recognized as a major contribution to the great mystical writings of the Church, are being translated and published by Ignatius Press. Among her most important works are Book of All Saints, Confession, The World of Prayer, Handmaid of the Lord, and The Passion from Within.