There has recently been much discussion, indeed argument, regarding the suitability of the Rule of St. Albert for the Carmelite liaity. In this book Patrick McMahon, O. Carm, praeses of the Institutum Carmelituum in Rome and lecturer in Carmelite history and spirituality, presents a powerful defense of the suitability of Albert's Pattern for Life for all Carmelites - laity and religious alike. In both setting a historical context for the Rule and providing a practical commentary for the laity, Father Patrick demonstrates that it is adherence to the Rule that defines a Carmelite and gives each of us our Carmelite identity.