Desert Voices: The Edge Effect

Tessa Bielecki and Fr. David Denny have worked together for almost forty-fiveyears. They beganas Carmelite monks atthe Spiritual Life Institute in the desert of Sedona, Arizona, where they co-edited Desert Call magazine and gave retreats and workshops. At Colorado College they taught Fire and Light: A History of Christian Mysticism and Desert Spirituality: from the Middle East to the American Southwest. They left monastic life in 2005 and created the Desert Foundation (see www.sandandsky.org) and now live in neighboring hermitages near Crestone, Colorado, in the spirit of the Christian Mothers and Fathers of the desert. Tessa recorded Wild at Heart: Radical Teachings of the Christian Mystics for Sounds True, and is the author of three books on St. Teresa of Avila, most recently Holy Daring. Fr. Dave has served as chaplain for Image journal’s Glen WorkshopsandSeattle Pacific University’s writing residencies. He raises funds for Cross Catholic Outreach, a relief and development ministry for the poorest of the poor. Both authors are currently working on their memoirs. They co-authored Season of Glad Songs: A Christmas Anthology, and continue to teach on Christian mysticism, desert spirituality, and the contemplative life at retreats and workshops around the world.