Carmelite Conversations

Sep 22 2024 280 ep. 45 mins 152
Carmelite Conversations Podcast artwork

The Carmelite Conversations podcast discusses Carmelite Spirituality and its application to our busy, modern lives. The podcast provides counsel on how to live the Carmelite call to combine contemplative prayer with service to the Church, while at the same time providing guidance on how to make progress in holiness. Carmelite Conversations is of particular interest to Secular Carmelites as it is produced by the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Community of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Dayton, Ohio.

  Religion & Spirituality
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Our Aptitude for Receiving God’s Grace by Deacon Mark Danis

Sep 22 2024 10 mins  
What can we do to be better predisposed to receive God’s Grace leading to Union with Him? We know that “only the pure of heart see God.” So, how do we purify our hearts most effectively? Discalced Secular Carmelite Deacon Mark Danis gives us great insights on this topic and quotes St. Elizabeth of the Trinity to help us understand.

On the Mountain by Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS

Jul 28 2024 7 mins  
Mountains play a prominent role in Carmelite Spirituality and in Prayer. What does the mountain represent? In the scriptures, we read about the Prophet Elijah and mountains. What did the mountains represent for Elijah? Even our Lord went to the mountains many times in His life. How does that connect to our lives today?

Reflection on Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Jul 28 2024 7 mins  
How did the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel come about? What is the connection with the Prophet Elijah? How did the spirituality of Elijah spread across the world? What happened on July 16th that is so significant to Carmelites? What is the connection of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to the Church approved apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes and in Fatima? How are we connected today?

Marriage is Free, Full, Faithful, and Fruitful

Apr 21 2024 18 mins  
In marriage preparation, Catholic couples are instructed about the Covenant of Love. The elements in particular that are addressed are being free, full, faithful, and fruitful. Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, analyzes these same elements as it relates to Carmelite spirituality. It is very enlightening and enriching.

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 9)

Mar 31 2024 60 mins  
The “Will” in the Prayer of Contemplation (Ch. 13 of the book). Soren Kierkegaard said, Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing. This one thing of course is God's Will. St. John of the Cross speaks about the activity of the will as much if not more than any of the other faculties of the human person. The other two are intellect and memory. But it is the will that most significantl

Thinking about the Samaritan Woman During Lent

Mar 11 2024 8 mins  
During this Lenten season, and by focusing on a few important points in the scripture passage on the Samaritan Woman, Deacon Mark Danis uses the lense of contemplation to highlight the importance of coming to know the truth about ourselves so that by coming into the light, we may be transformed by God.

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 8)

Mar 09 2024 70 mins  
So often in the spiritual journey, we can run into roadblocks. We can mistakenly perceive that we have gotten off course, and we might immediately seek to turn back to find the right path again. However, if we are walking the path of contemplation, there will most certainly be times of darkness, instances where we may feel we have done something wrong, and where we are no longer ex

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 7)

Mar 02 2024 49 mins  
If you feel as though you have reached a plateau in your prayer life, or after many years of active prayer, you feel as though you are suddenly stuck, it may be the Lord is calling you to a deeper encounter with Him. The spiritual life is not static, it moves through different phases. And, like any relationship, if it is going to continue to grow, there must be changes in the way w

Interior Castle (part 12): Seventh Dwelling Place; Ch. 1-2: The Grand Entrance and Spiritual Marriage

Dec 29 2023 72 mins  
What is like to enter into the 7th Dwelling Place? What was it like for St. Teresa? Then we turn to a discussion about spiritual marriage. We focus on what this experience/union with God was like for St. Teresa. These chapters truly help us to have Holy Amazement! RESOURCES: “Interior Castle, Study Guide, 2nd Edition” by St. Teresa of Avila; Translated and Prepared by Kieran

Christmas Preparation for Carmelites

Dec 10 2023 11 mins  
Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS, shares ways to prepare during Advent for the birth of our Lord. He provides suggestions specific for Secular Carmelites. This talk was given during a Holy Hour.