Carmelite Conversations

Devotion to the Holy Face – Part 1

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 first was in the early 1840’s through the revelations to a Carmelite Sister named Mary of St Peter. The promises and the power of this devotion were offered to combat both blasphemy and the sins against the holy day of Sunday. The devotion was then reintroduced by St Therese of Lisieux around the late 1800’s, again in the mid 1940’s through an Italian Mother Pierina of the Immaculate Conception, and finally, in our own time through a man name Gordon Deery in Montreal, who carries on this world-wide ministry even today.

Brother Lawrence’s Letters

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 practice a part of daily life.

Brother Lawrence’s Teachings On Detachment

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 own daily life.

The Writings of Fr. Beaufort

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.

Elizabeth of the Trinity III

“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 Augustine refers to as the City of God within our souls. This program builds on the theme of simplicity, solitude and silence in our prayer life.”

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity II

“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, she shows, through her writings, how the real objective must be to bring everything in a persons life under the submission of Christ. She speaks of the need to see with the “single eye” and practice the principles of silence, simplicity and solitude.”

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity II

“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 her entry into Carmel, and how the more significant events of her childhood served to form her and draw her into an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Purgatory

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 throughout our life. Then, she says, there is nothing that the flames of purgatory, which are nothing other than the flame of God’s Love, can do to us. For we will have become that very flame of love.

St. Therese of Lisieux

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 still teaches us so much today.

St. Therese – Suffering

 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.

Changes to the Missal – Fr. Tony

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 and significance of the Missal.

St. John of the Cross

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.

St. John of the Cross – Active night of the Spirit

 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 the higher states of prayer.

St. John of the Cross – Active night of the Spirit

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.

St. John of the Cross

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.

St. John of the Cross

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.

The Brown Scapular

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

Debbie Koch

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 thoughts on some of the leading spiritual figures in the history of the Carmelite Order

The Interior Castles III

“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. They will also discuss the 7th Dwelling, where the soul begins to experience complete Transforming Union.”

Reconciliation

“In this program Mark and Frances will explore the history, significance and the current environment in the Church surrounding the Sacrament of Pennance and Reconciliation. Their guest is Michele Foley who has done extensive research in the field of Reconciliation and the need for and benefits of frequent confession. This particular program challenges to the modern Catholic to “turn back” to the important Sacrament of Reconciliation and to see it as an integral part of Spiritual development.”

Spiritual Life

Have you ever wish for mystical “flights of spirit?” have you wondered how the saints disposed themselves for intimate union with God? Listen into this interesting conversation on what a Doctor of the Church and a Master of prayer, St Teresa of Avila has to say about these any other topics in the spiritual life. Learn how we can begin to make real progress in our spiritual journey.

Mary, Jesus, and Catholicism in Film

In this thought provoking program, Mark interviews Michael Duricy STL, from the International Marian Research Institute. Michael did his graduate research on Mary in Films. This particular conversation will focus on how Hollywood has portryed Mary, Jesus and Catholicism in general. It is an interesting exploration into both religious and secular culture as depicted in film.

The Interior Castle II

Have you ever wondered if your prayer life was useful, and whether you were making progress. In this insightful program, Mark and Frances continue their conversation on Teresa of Avila’s “The Interior Castle.” They will discuss the need for and benefits of Spiritual Direction. They also discuss the role of dryness in prayer and offer insights on the signs that demonstrate when a person is making progress in their prayer life.

The Interior Castle II

Have you just begun to pray more seriously, or are you still struggling with finding the time and commitment. On this program Mark and Francis begin a discussion of St Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castles. Today they discuss the first three “Dwellings” or Mansions in St Teresa’s explanation of the Seven Interior Castles. If you are struggling with your prayer life, let a true master of prayer, St Teresa of Avila, conduct you along a smoother path.

St Teresa of Avila

During this Conversation, Mark and Frances are joined by William Corey, President of the Cincinnati Community of Discalced Carmelites. They will discuss more about St Teresa of Avila’s teachings on the prayer of Recollection. They will also go through each of the verses of the “Our Father” and provide St Teresa’s insights on what she among others have referred to as the “perfect prayer.”