Carmelite Conversations

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 recommend to help us?”

Resource: “The Twelves Degrees of Silence” by Sister Marie-Aimee De Jesus, OCD

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 with God. That is addressed in this presentation. Tim also provides a real life example that has played out in his own life and work. Finally, he gives us 4 Keys to help us truly surrender to God and find real success in our work, the work of union with God.

RESOURCES/BOOKS:

• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, translated by Salvatore Sciurba; ICS Publications.
• The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Cardinal Robert Sarah and Nicolas Diat; Ignatius Press.
• The Surrender Novena by Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo

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 the teachings on the Holy Spirit that were given to St. Mary of Jesus Crucified to give to the Church.

Resources

• Mariam, the Little Arab by Amedee Brunot, SCJ
• Maryam of Bethlehem, the Little Arab by Sister Emmanuel Maillard
• Thoughts: Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified by Rev. D. Buzy, SCJ

We frequently pray to and invoke the Holy Trinity, yet the Holy Trinity is a mystery and hard to explain. Although we are quite limited, we can gain some insights into understanding the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as well as pondering “Who” the Holy Trinity is. Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, discusses this mystery and introduces us to Catholic Evangelist Frank Sheed’s approach as well. There is much to ponder here.

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 her community, she speaks from experience as well as from the guidance of Fr. Aloysius Deeney, OCD who has served as the General Delegate for the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.

RESOURCES:

Books:

“Welcome to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites” by P. Aloysius Deeney, OCD; ICS Publications.

“Welcome to Carmel” by Michael D. Griffin, OCD, contributor and compiler; Teresian Charism Press.

Encyclical:

“Christifidelis Laici” by Pope John Paul II.

Document:

“Ratio Institutionis” for the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites at http://www.ocds.info/LegislativeDocuments/RatioInstitutionis.pdf