St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, known as “the little flower,” was prophetically called by Pope Pius X, the “greatest saint of modern times.” Time continues to echo her greatness. As a Doctor of the Church, St. Therese continues to be the subject of numerous new books and homilies each year. This year, 2023, is a very special year for all Carmelites as well as the Church. We are celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Therese’s birth and the 100thanniversary of her beatificatio...
May 16, 2023•11 min•Ep. 310
How does the teaching of St. John of the Cross help us to be “light” in the “dark” that surrounds us in our day? This presentation by Deacon Baldwin was given to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Dayton, OH for their Day of Recollection. The theme of the day was “We Are the Light of the World.” Although some people are put off or scared by the negation and darkness of St. John of the Cross, those who truly understand him realize he teaches us the way of pure love. What must we do to l...
May 06, 2023•28 min•Ep. 309
This is an exciting mansion as God begins to take the lead becoming much more active in the soul, while the soul becomes more passive and receptive to God, more fully surrendering to Him, especially in prayer. It is the beginning of the mystical life with the gifts of infused contemplation. These degrees of prayer are called “infused recollection” and “prayer of quiet” (spiritual delight). In this conversation, we discuss what these degrees of prayer are like and what their effects are. We also ...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 308
In reference to the third dwelling place/mansion, St. Teresa of Avila tells us that she believes “that through the goodness of God there are many of these souls in the world.” Of course, that was in the late 1500s. The souls here are good practicing Catholics. Mistakenly, many of these souls think they are at the heights of their spiritual growth, when, in reality, they are at the adolescent stage. With the gift of St. Teresa’s “Interior Castle,” one can learn from her, a master of prayer and Do...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 307
In the month of March, the Church celebrates the feast of the great St. Joseph, Patron Saint of the Universal Church. He is also the Protector of the Discalced Carmelite Order. So often, one might think our Saints are so far above us in holiness that it’s incomprehensible how we could imitate them. In this Carmelite Conversation, Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, talks to us about the Extraordinary but Ordinary Life of St. Joseph. We are also reminded of the great love that St. Teresa of Jesus (of Avi...
Mar 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 306
The Second Dwelling Place or Mansion pertains to souls who have already begun to practice prayer and have heard the calls of the Lord. Hence, the seed planted in the first mansion is now starting to germinate and sprout roots. The temptations are greater because their awareness has grown through the calls of God. What are these temptations? How do we combat them? What are the remedies? What if we mess up and fall? How can we benefit from falls? What is prayer like for a 2nd mansion soul? We give...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 305
When a Carmelite hears the word, “Nada,” they automatically think of the great Discalced Carmelite Doctor of Love, St. John of the Cross. What does that word mean? Why is this word so deeply associated with St. John of the Cross? Is this a harsh concept to live? How can we apply this concept to our own lives and our families? This conversation will answer those questions and give some background that sheds light on this concept…and will hopefully warm you up to what St. John of the Cross is teac...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 304
What is this journey of faith? What are some of the misconceptions people have about this journey of faith? What will inspire us on this journey? Deacon Mark Danis details for us what is of immense value to us beyond the purification and healing of our souls and what we must do regarding our eternal destiny.
Mar 01, 2023•13 min•Ep. 302
This reflection is focused on the “why” of Lent. Why fast? Why pray? Why give alms? Why does the Church tell us to do these 3 things? Where does this come from? How do these 3 tactics form a strategic battle plan to conquer sin in our lives? How does this relate to the Theological Virtues, the Evangelical Counsels, the Superior Faculties of the Soul, Virtues, and the Harmony of Life? This is briefly covered to help us gain a better understanding of the “why”. Resources 58 Ideas for What to Do fo...
Feb 22, 2023•17 min•Ep. 303
Guest, Theresa Rittenhouse, OCDS, joins host Frances Harry in a Carmelite Converstion on the first dwelling place/mansion of St. Teresa of Avila’s classic masterpiece, “The Interior Castle.” We cover some of her wonderful images of the soul and also images of God. But, what is the soul? We take time to define the soul and describe the anatomy of the soul in addition to giving a brief break down of the soul and its relationship to the theological virtues and evangelical counsels. The castle is an...
Feb 17, 2023•30 min•Ep. 301
What a joy it is to hear how a Saint has particularly influenced someone! Today’s Carmelite Conversation details how St. Therese of Lisieux helped a priest in his vocation. Host, Frances Harry, OCDS, interviews Fr. Robert Hale, who was recently ordained. Listen to his story of how St. Therese became a good friend and intercessor for him. He has offered to us his personal testimony with lots of sage advice. Books mentioned: “Story of a Soul: the Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux (Study Edit...
Feb 10, 2023•39 min•Ep. 300
Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS, shares reflections about the short book, A Soul of Silence: Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity . The book, which was published in 1949, was written by a Carmelite nun, Mother Mary Amabel of the Heart of Jesus, and translated from French into English by a Discalced Carmelite. Download a PDF file of the book ....
Feb 03, 2023•59 min•Ep. 299
St. Teresa of Avila, in her classic masterpiece, The Interior Castle, teaches us how to become more intimate with God by journeying through the seven mansions/dwelling places of this interior castle of our soul. A great way to identity each of these degrees of intimacy with God is through the “Our Father” prayer. This provides a new perspective that can be very helpful in understanding this journey as well as in deepening our prayer. Sources: “The Interior Castle: Study Edition” by St. Teresa of...
Jan 28, 2023•32 min•Ep. 298
This episode is a replay of a popular episode from 2019. One of the single most important disciplines we can adopt is the continual practice of the presence of God in our lives. This practice is not achieved by simply thinking about God be everywhere, though certainly He is all around us as well as in us, and we should take great comfort in this reality. Beyond this, however, we should recognize that the real challenge of the practice of the presence of God, is for us to make ourselves present t...
Jan 21, 2023•52 min•Ep. 297
This homily by Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, was given during Evening Prayer for the Dayton Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites on Feast of the Epiphany in Jan 2023. Many interesting aspects of Epiphany are brought to our attention that one may not have considered before. We know the Magi came to the Infant Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh by following a star; but listen to these questions Deacon Baldwin asks, that will lead us to ponder this feast ever more deeply. He refere...
Jan 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 296
It was during the Advent season when the Dayton OCDS Community gathered together for the Rite of Making the Promise/Vows. The Spiritual Assistant of the community, Fr. John MacQuarrie, delivered a homily touching on many Carmelite themes. Since this also occurred on Gaudete Sunday , rejoicing in the Lord ,as spoken by St. Paul, was clearly on everyone’s mind. In Romans, he says our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. For those making promises and vows, they take those word...
Jan 07, 2023•11 min•Ep. 295
This episode is a replay of a popular episode from 2017. St. Therese of Lisieux is a Giant Soul among the Saints being one of the Doctors of the Church. On this her birthday (Jan 2), Guest Marika Zimmerman and Host Frances Harry talk about her famous Christmas Conversion. We go into a great deal of in-depth discussion about this moment. What was the conversion all about? When did it occur? How did St. Therese describe this event about the “magic shoes” at Christmas? In what way can we peer into ...
Dec 22, 2022•53 min•Ep. 294
In this presentation, Frances Harry, OCDS, speculates on what it looks like when God is our sanctity, especially as seen in the life and words of St. Therese of Lisieux. It follows from part one of the same title which discussed this phrase which was used in St. Therese’s famous prayer, “Act of Oblation to Merciful Love.” Through the example of St. Therese, we too, can imitate her and pray this prayer with all confidence. Resources: “Story of A Soul, Study Edition” by St. Therese of Lisieux, pre...
Dec 05, 2022•25 min•Ep. 293
Frances Harry, OCDS, discusses, “God, Be Yourself My Sanctity," a phrase used by St. Therese of Lisieux in her famous prayer, “The Act of Oblation to Merciful Love,” found in her book, “Story of a Soul.” What does St. Therese really mean in this part of her prayer? Is it possible? And is it possible for us? Frances Harry, OCDS, helps us work through these questions and more. She was particularly delighted when a kindred spirit decided to write a book about this. It is called: “Something New with...
Dec 02, 2022•36 min•Ep. 292
Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, shares a homily about the Beatitudes connection to the Ten Commandments. To help us grow in love of God and neighbor, the Lord has given us the Ten Commandments as well as the Beatitudes. They are a sure guide to Christian perfection and are of vital importance in the vocation to Carmel, as well as the battle against the world, satan and self. What is the connection of the Beatitudes to the Ten Commandments? Deacon Baldwin draws forth much for us to ponder on this top...
Dec 01, 2022•19 min•Ep. 291
Tim Bete, OCDS, interviews Annette Goulden, OCDS, about her book, Rooted in Love: Louis and Zélie Martin: Models of Married Love, Family Life, and Everyday Holiness. From the publisher: When Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin were canonized in 2015, they were the first spouses to be declared saints as a couple. Their lives are proof that God works through ordinary families to draw his future saints―like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Louis and Zélie’s youngest daughter―toward holiness. Even before their first...
Nov 25, 2022•38 min•Ep. 290
This episode is a repeat one of our most-popular program from 2017. Who is called to be a Secular Discalced Carmelite? How do you distinguish between those who are called and those who are not called? What are some principles that you can use to discern the vocation to the OCDS? Guest, Colleen Sollinger, shares 6 distinct elements that, considered in totality, paint a good picture of a soul who is called to the Order of the Discalced Carmelite Seculars. Having been a formation facilitator for he...
Nov 06, 2022•56 min•Ep. 289
Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS, gives us an analogy of Spiritual Childhood of St. Therese of Lisieux. He offers us an analogy that we can quickly identify with that will help us go deeper into understanding St. Therese’s great leap of faith into God. This analogy will also give us several insights into prayer. Deacon Danis also reflects on the rosary as something we enter into rather than something that we just recite. Resource: “Contemplative Provocations: Brief Concentrated Observations on Aspects of...
Oct 22, 2022•15 min•Ep. 288
One aspect of what is needed to experience Divine Intimacy is “detachment.” This presentation will focus on what detachment is, and what it is not…with the goal of understanding and incorporating detachment into who we are. To understand detachment, we must also understand attachment as well as right order in relationships. Detachment is the process by which we set our loves in right order. What is the active part of detachment? What is the passive part of detachment? How does detachment lead us...
Sep 17, 2022•11 min•Ep. 287
Members from several communities of the Order of the Discalced Carmelite Seculars gathered for a yearly retreat at the Maria Stein Spiritual Center in Ohio in August 2022. The Sunday Mass fell on the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year C. Deacon Baldwin presents us with an in-depth parallel of the life of the Prophet Jeremiah with the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. He focuses on the purifying fire of love of the Holy Spirit, which also set St. Elijah on fire with zeal for the Lord. We, in Carme...
Sep 01, 2022•10 min•Ep. 286
Homily for the feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with Deacon Rusty Baldwin
Aug 06, 2022•6 min•Ep. 285
Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS recently gave a homily on the topic of reparation that we are happy to share with you!
Aug 06, 2022•17 min•Ep. 284
Silence is golden. We have often heard that phrase. Silence is really a deep Bible truth. In this presentation, Deacon Baldwin will address that truth and point out the use of silence in prayer and particularly in the life of contemplatives and the gift of contemplation in prayer. He addresses the questions: “Should I give up all vocal prayer and only strive for silence in prayer?” “What Scripture passage helps me understand this point?” “How do I grow in silence in prayer?” “What book does he r...
Jul 03, 2022•37 min•Ep. 283
Have you ever thought about your work as a road to holiness? Discalced Carmelite Secular Tim Bete often struggled to understand the relationship between faith and work. In this presentation, Tim references the teachings of Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection to explain how we can see our work as a place to encounter God. He also pulls from Church documents, scripture, and the lives of other Carmelite Saints, to discover the meaning of our work. We do well to ask ourselves how our work unites us wit...
Jul 02, 2022•35 min•Ep. 282
St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, OCD (also known as Mariam Baouardy) is one of the most extraordinary Saints in Carmel, following in the footsteps of Holy Mother St. Teresa of Avila. Although uneducated, she was infused with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a great degree. Rather than focusing on the charisms and phenomena in her life, this Carmelite Conversation focuses on her childhood and gives an indication on how the Holy Spirit formed her, practices/prayers that we may imitate. Find out some of...
Jun 26, 2022•51 min•Ep. 281
