Carlo Carretto was one of the greatest spiritual influences on the Roman Catholic Church of the 20th century, and in this text, Rosemary Alabaster charts the course of this fascinating and multi-faceted figure.

Carlo Carretto was one of the greatest spiritual influences on the Roman Catholic Church of the 20th century, and Rosemary Alabaster charts the course of this fascinating and multi-faceted figure. Carretto spent many years as a committed leader of Italian Catholic Action, before a deeper and well nigh irresistible call led him to a radically different way of life as a hermit. With typical impetuosity Carlo left everything in response to the call of God, and headed for the North African desert and a new life with the Little Brothers of Jesus, the followers of Charles de Foucauld. It was during these years in the desert that Carlo's deep call to transmit his own spirituality to the world was born. Many years later he returned permanently to Italy, where his writing and charismatic presence drew visitors from all over the world, some of whom stayed and formed a community.