Carmelite Conversations

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

In this program we focus on Mary as Virgin, Mother, and Spouse. As Virgin, we are with her at the Annunciation and see anew her great purity of heart and her receptivity to the great news from St. Gabriel. Mary, with her “Fiat,” clearly emphasizes “Thy will be done.” Then, she “ponders” all these things in her heart. As Mother, we see Mary’s fruitful love. Her pure prayer leads to an abundance of...

This particular program picks up on the series of Devotion to the Holy Face. Mark and Frances trace the history of this devotion within the Church, and then outline some of the key events which led to its reinstitution on a number of occasions. They also provide specific details on the lives of Sr. Mary of St. Peter, the Carmelite nun of Tours who received revelations from the Lord on this devotio...

On this program, Mark and Frances cover a list of their favorite Carmelite Books. This is a list of the less well known, but none-the-less very useful books on a whole range of Carmelite topics; including Carmelite spirituality, contemplative prayer, Mystical Theology and outlines of some of the key figures in the history of the Order. Each of the books presented have been read by one or both of t...

Carmelite Conversations Host Frances Harry welcomes guest, Deacon Russell Baldwin back to the program to continue our conversation on “Divine Mercy and the Carmelites.” We focused on the 5 Stages of the Mercy of God with examples from our Carmelite Saints followed by deeper insights on “Divine Mercy” by St. Therese of Lisieux, the little flower. For her, confidence and trust in God’s divine and me...

Carmelite Conversations Host Frances Harry welcomes guest, Deacon Russell Baldwin to the program. The topic for this program is the “Divine Mercy Devotion” and the Carmelites. We discussed the 5 forms of Devotion to Divine Mercy as presented to St. Faustina from her Diary, now published and available to the public (“Divine Mercy in My Soul: the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska”). Our conversat...

This program began a four part series on the Devotion to the Holy Face. This remarkably powerful devotion was actually instituted by Veronica when she wiped the face of Jesus as He climbed to His crucifixion on Calvary. The program goes on to discuss four other instances in the history of the Church where this Devotion either gained great popularity or was actually re-instituted by Christ. The fir...

This program draws from Brother Lawrence’s own letters to other religious who he maintained correspondence with in his later life. These letters represent the best source of information for understanding what Brother Lawrence himself had to say, not only about the Practice of the Presence of God, but just as importantly, how to overcome the difficulties that one might expect to encounter in making...

This program discusses Brother Lawrence’s basic teachings on detachment, the need for silence and the process for practicing the presence even in our daily life. The discussion focuses largely on the Spiritual Maxims, and Brother Lawrence’s “Conversations” with Fr. Beaufort. The program also discusses the evidence provided by Fr. Beaufort as to how Brother Lawrence lived out this practice in his o...

This program is drawn from the writings of Fr. Beaufort, who wrote and delivered the eulogy at Brother Lawrence’s funeral. He drew from his own communication with Brother Lawrence to offer an objective review of the man’s life, his teachings and how he manifested them in his very person. He speaks about a man of great humility and also great faith.

“This particular program deals with our univeral vocation in Christ. As baptized Christians, we are all called to Union with God through Christ. This conversation explores our call to build ourselves into Holy Temples where the Trinity might dwell and where we can participate in the very life of the Three Divine Persons. Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity explains how we can begin to build what St A...

“This program picks up on the biographical sketch of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity after her entry into Carmel. It then goes on to explore some of her major writings, both her individual retreats and her letters. Blessed Elizabeth understood very clearly the need to dispense with anything that did not lead her to God, but she did not attempt to achieve this by simply leaving the world. Rather,...

“This program offers a brief biographical sketch of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. Blessed Elizabeth was a Carmelite nun who lived in France and died in her early twenties, in 1906. Her remarkable writings are considered materpieces of spiritual insight, and they deal largely with the life of the Trinity dwelling within each of us. This program covers the major events of her life leading up to...

This program covers St Therese’s profound teaching on Purgatory. Beginning with a brief explanation of the Church’s teaching on Purgatory, in this program we discuss how St Therese taught that we do not necessarily need to go to Purgatory. She argues there is a way to avoid it, and that is simply to have trust in our loving Father. Further, she argues, the real path is to simply become love throug...

This program explores the details of the earlthly life of St Therese. Through Mark and Frances’ discussion with someone who has actully visited Lisieux and the childhood home of Therese and the convent where she lived the last stages of her young life, this conversation explores the real person of Therese. It discusses how the experiences of her life formed and shaped her into the future Saint who...

 This program discusses the reality of suffering in the spiritual life. More importantly, St Therese of Lisieux helps us understand the great value of accepting our everyday trials and sufferings, and how to transform them into a deeper experience of Love. This is the science of the saints, to use everything in our life, good and bad, to deepen or love.

This program covers the upcoming changes to the New Roman Missal. Fr Tony Geraci, is a scholar of the Roman Liturgy In this program he explains both the history of the current revisions and the motivation behind the specific changes to the language reflected in the new version. Fr. Tony helps us to understand how a return to a more authentic translation allows us to better understand the meaning a...

This program deals with the last and most difficult of St John of the Cross’ four stages of the spiritual journey, the Passive Night of Sense. Here the Lord takes us through the later stages of interior prayer. This is where God takes us through the very painful experiences necessary to teach us that He will not be limited by our all too small perception of him.

 This program provides an introduction St John of the Cross’ teaching on the four nights that he uses to describe the spiritual journey. This program introduces the Active Night of Spirit. Here the soul must take responsibility to begin to detach itself from even the spiritual consolations we experience along the journey. We must look beyond the simple consolations of prayer, so that we can reach...

This program provides an introduction to St John of the Cross’ teaching on the second of the four nights, the Passive Night of Sense. In this night the Lord begins to finish the work of detaching us from our over dependence on material comforts, supports and consolations.

This program provides an introduction to the teaching of St John of the Cross on the first of the four nights that John uses to describe the progress of the interior life. The first stage in this process is the Active Night of Sense. Here the soul must take the responsibility to begin to practice detachment from anything that does not lead to God.

This program provides a brief biographical sketch of the life of St Joh of the Cross. It covers the experiences of his early life which help to shape, direct and inform his future teaching on mystical theology and the interior life.

In this program, Mark Danis and his guest host discuss the Brown Scapular.

On this program, Mark interviews Debbie Koch, past President of the Carmelite Community in Cincinnati Ohio. Debbie shares her journey leading to Carmel, her thoughts on the impact her devotion to Carmel has had on her life and considerable experience in leading a Secular Carmelite Community. She also shares information on the process of spiritual formation, the importance of community and her own...

“In this program Mark and Frances continue their conversation on St Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castles. Here they will explore the latter part of the 6th Dwelling where the soul is encouraged to continue to reflect on the humanity of Christ, most especially His passion. This is also where the soul experiences God through intellectual visions which serve to transform the soul at its deepes core. Th...