Carmelite Conversations

Carmelites are called to be ‘active contemplatives,’ but what does this mean? Have you ever wondered how to go about striking the right balance between prayer and the active life. In fairness, most of us have difficulty finding enough time in our busy lives for a sufficient amount of prayer. But the active life referred to in this particular conversation is the life of virtue, the life of charity....

What is the difference between a Pilgrimage and a Retreat? What are the elements that make up either a successful Pilgrimage or a successful Retreat? In this informative program Mark and Frances draw a clear distinction between these two different journey’s of seeking God. They discuss the motivations that might be behind the decision to go on Pilgrimage or Retreat, and how someone might best prep...

We all use the word faith quite often and believe we understand what it means, but do we really understand the deeper meaning of faith as it relates to journey toward God. In this informative conversation, Frances speaks with Deacon Tracy Jamison of the Diocese of Cincinnati. Dr. Jamison is both a Deacon and a professor at the seminary in the Diocese of Cincinnati, and has published articles on th...

Summer is a great time for reading. Have you wondered what Carmelite books are the best to read, what might be considered the essential reading for a Carmelite. In this conversation Frances Harry welcomes Mark Olsen into the studio to discuss some of the most important reading for those interested in Carmelite Spirituality. Mark is the Director of Formation for the Dayton Community of Discalced Ca...

“During this conversation Mark and Frances discuss the unique Devotion that Carmelites have to the Sacred Heart. They begin by reading and discussing comments made by the Holy Father, Francis, regarding the role of the heart in our journey to Christ. Pope Francis speaks about the need to conform our heart to the heart of Christ, and to be transformed by that very act. Mark and Frances then go on t...

In this particular program Mark invites Chris Cotter, a Secular Carmelite from the Community of Dayton Ohio, to discuss the Carmelite aspects of the Feast of Fatima. On 13 May 2013, Pope Francis consecrated his Papacy to Our Lady of Fatima. Mark and Chris explore both the significance of this event, and what Fatima means to each of us individually. Using both the Vatican Document, from The Congrea...

During this program Mark and Frances conclude the series on the book entitled “Upon this Mountain.” This particular book, written by a cloistered Carmelite Nun is the fruit of forty years of prayer and reflection. Mark and Frances explore some of the deeper meanings of our universal call to holiness, and how we are not called to this for ourselves but for the entire body of Christ. They discuss so...

In this particular program Mark and Frances discuss the simply yet remarkable life of a Secular Carmelite from Spain named Josefa Naval Girbes who lived from 1820 – 1893. Blessed Josefa lived a perfectly simple life, opening her home as a school for embroidery. She used the quiet hours of labor to instruct her young female students about the Catholic faith. She was well known for instructing her g...

Learn about the Prayer of recollection.

We continue the introduction to the life of St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart by addressing the challenges she faced once she left civilian life and entered the convent in Carmel.  What were the lessons she still needed to learn?  How may we profit from them as well?  Additionally, what can we learn from her ardent devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?  Then, we approach the conversation of...

Host, Frances Harry, along with guest, Deacon/Dr. Tracy Jamison, OCDS talk about “spiritual marriage.” There are lots of questions about spiritual marriage. What is it? What does it involve? Where do we get this term? What happens in it? What difference does it make in my life and in those around me? Is it possible for all of us?

In this program, Mark and Frances will begin a series on the “Last Conversations” of St Therese of Lisieux. This is a collection of the statements and brief writings from her last months on earth. These reflections are very rich in spiritual depth and insight. St Therese seemed to want to impart the most important elements of her understanding of how God works with us, and how each and every soul...

During this program Mark and Frances delve into the ‘Spiritual Diary’ which St. Teresa of the Andes kept from the age of 16. Along with her letters, this Diary represents the clearest picture we have of this young Saints interior life. It reveals both the great graces the Lord bestowed on her, but also the many trials and challenges she faced on her path to holiness. The Diary of St. Teresa of the...

This particular program is the second in the series on St. Teresa of the Andes. During this conversation, Mark and Frances explore what it was that made this young Chilean Carmelite so significant so quickly. They discuss some of the miracles associated with her and also spectacular events that began to happen right after her death. They also explore her great patronage to young people, to the wor...

This particular program is a conversation on one of the lesser known, but very important Carmelite Saints, St. Teresa of the Andes. In this conversation Mark and Frances discuss the earthly life of this wonderful Saint. St. Teresa of the Andes, who died in 1919 at the age of 19, is a model for young people. Her remarkable, although short, life, is a testament to how our young people today can begi...

In this program, Mark and Frances discuss the prayer fo the Church, or the Liturgy of the Hours. They discuss a little about the history of the prayer, the different elements of the prayer, how it is prayed by the entire Church and some of the benefits of praying this prayer. They cover some of the differnet options for getting copies of the prayers, including sources on-line, and they also talk a...

This particular program is dedicated to Frances Harry’s recent trip to the Annual Carmelite Congress, held just outside of Boston. Frances discusses the them of the Congress, which was, “Do Whatever He Tells You.” She provides a synopsis of some of the major presenters including Fr. Calloway, who escaped a childhood of drugs and anger, as well as Archbishop O’Malley of Boston, whose personal motto...

During this program Mark interviews Marika Zimmerman, a member of the Secular Order of Carmel in Dayton, Ohio. Marika is preparing to make her temporary promise this year. Mark explores with her the details of her Catholic upbringing, what brought her to Carmel and a discussion about some of her favorite Saints. They also discuss the topic of prayer and how prayer matures as we begin to make progr...

Born Lucien Bunel in 1900, Pere Jacques became a Discalced Carmelite and was one of the individuals who undertook efforts to help the Jewish people during the Nazi occupation of France in WWII. He was arrested and spend time in 4 of the most dreaded concentration camps. Known to be a fine preacher and teacher, he had much to teach us about life, love, mercy, prayer, suffering, and about the body a...

On this program Mark and Frances speak again about the importance of Mary in the life of St Raphael Kalinowski. They also discuss the role he played in helping to bring unity between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches. Finally, they discuss how St. Kalinowski was actually a forerunner for the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Primarily his teaching on the significan...

On this program Mark and Frances speak about the great Ploish Staint Raphael Kalinowski. St. Kalinowski was the boyhood hero of Pope John Paul II. He is noted primarily for his teaching on prayer and the need to find solitude in order to deepen our prayer life. St. Kalnowski spent 10 years in Siberia, as a result of his participation in a political uprising against Russia. This experience only dee...

On this program Mark and Frances speak about the great prophet Elijah. Elijah is identified as the Father of the Order of Carmel. They discuss how Elijah’s life and message serve as the perfect model of the Carmelite life and charism. They also discuss the importance of silence, living the interior life and how even the events of Elijah’s Old Testament story prefigures the importance of the future...

“In this particular program, Mark and Frances explore the nature of Spiritual Direction and its importance in helping one achieve holiness. They first discuss the objectives of Spiritual Direction and the reasons why someone should engage with a Spiritual Director. They also discuss those instance that are not appropriate for Spiritual Direction. They also discuss the characteristics one should lo...

This is the third in a series of 3 that focuses on the Holy Face.

This program is an interview with Fr. Daniel Chowning. Fr. Chowning is an internationally recognized speaker on Spirituality, Prayer and the Carmelite Order. In this particular program, Mark and Frances talk to Fr. Chowning about the importance of Silence and Solitude, and how to find these important elements in our modern busy world. They also discuss the importance on finding a contemplative spi...