Carmelite Conversations

Dec. 14th is the Solemnity/Feast of St. John of the Cross, a Discalced Carmelite and Doctor of the Church.  He is often referred to as Doctor Mysticus or Doctor of Love.  He is a great Saint for Advent with his writings centering on mystery, darkness, intimacy, light and flame of love. 

This presentation will help us ponder these questions:

What is a mystic?

What are we called to?

What is the Dark Night and what it is NOT?

What is true happiness and joy?

Why did St. John of the Cross use the term, Dark Night?

What did he ask to be recited to him as he lay dying?

What is the Flame of Love?

St. John of the Cross is known as one of the greatest Spanish Poets.  Thankfully, he was asked to expound upon his poems which resulted in the classics we may be familiar with…such as “The Spiritual Canticle,” “The Dark Night,” and “The Living Flame of Love.”  Someone new to St. John of the Cross may complain, however, that he didn’t write very much about the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This presentation by Lynn Bete, a professed Discalced Carmelite Secular in Dayton, OH, may change their perspective on that topic.  What were the major Marian influences in St. John of the Cross’s life?  How did our Blessed Mother draw him to come and to stay in Carmel?  What does he write about our dear Blessed Mother?  How can he be called totally Marian?

Sources:

The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD and Otilio Rodriguez, OCD

“The Mariology of Saint John of the Cross” by Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, OCD 

https://discalcedcarmel.org/the-mariology-of-saint-john-of-the-cross/

“Mary and the Holy Spirit in the Writings of John of the Cross” by Emmanuel J. Sullivan, OCD 

http://blesslife.org/ourgarden/maryspirit.html

Passages from St. John of the Cross:

God alone moves these souls [who have reached habitual union with God] toward those works that are in harmony with his will and ordinance, and they cannot be moved toward others. Thus the works and prayer of these souls always produce their effect.

Such were the prayer and the works of our Lady, the most glorious Virgin Raised from the very beginning to this high estate, she never had the form of any creature impressed in her soul, nor was she moved by any, for she was always moved by the Holy Spirit.

~ Ascent of Mount Carmel 3.2.10

The discreet lover does not care to ask for what she lacks and desires, but only indicates this need so the Beloved may do what he pleases. When the Blessed Virgin spoke to her beloved Son at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, she did not ask directly for the wine, but merely remarked: They have no wine.

~ Commentary on The Spiritual Canticle 2.8

You will not take from me, my God, what you once gave me in your only Son, Jesus Christ, in whom you gave me all I desire… 

Mine are the heavens and mine is the earth. Mine are the nations, the just are mine, and mine the sinners. The angels are mine, and the Mother of God, and all things are mine; and God himself is mine and for me, because Christ is mine and all for me.

~ Sayings of Light and Love #27 and #28

Then he called 

the archangel Gabriel 

and sent him to 

the virgin Mary, 

at whose consent 

the mystery was wrought, 

in whom the Trinity 

clothed the Word with flesh. 

and though Three work this, 

it is wrought in the One; 

and the Word lived incarnate 

in the womb of Mary. 

And he who had only a Father 

now had a Mother too…

~ Romances 8

Christmas Refrain

The Virgin, weighed

with the Word of God,

comes down the road:

if only you'll shelter her.

On this day, Nov. 8, the feast day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, join me in praying her famous prayer known as “O My God, Trinity whom I Adore.”  It is a prayer that is very deep with much to ponder.  This translation came from the book, “Drink of the Stream:  Prayers of the Carmelites” compiled by Penny Hickey, OCDS, pg. 299-300.

What are the obligations of a person who becomes a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites?  An easy way to remember them is to abbreviate them and call them the “6 M’s.”  Colleen Sollinger, a professed member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, and also the Director of Formation for her community in Dayton, OH, shares with us a description of each of the M’s, but also challenges us with deeper perspectives that may revitalize us in many ways.  She references many of our Discalced Carmelite Saints, the OCDS Constitution, and uses many other resources.  This is one of the very best talks I’ve heard on this topic.  Be refreshed!  Be renewed in spirit!  God will be glorified in all!

The famous sun miracle at the Church approved apparition in Fatima, Portugal on Oct. 13, 1917 remains a topic of discussion among many Catholics.  Over a hundred years have passed since it occurred, yet we are still deriving great fruit from it.  In this conversation, guest Angela Winfield will shed some light on the Carmelite connections to this great miracle and what it means for us today.

On Oct. 15, 2020, Fr. John MacQuarrie gave this homily at the Feast Day Mass of St. Teresa of Avila.

What is piercing your heart?  Is it the anger and confusion of our times in this world, in the church, in politics?  Or is it the flaming arrow of God’s love?  Fr. John MacQuarrie leads us in a reflection on this feast day of St. Teresa of Avila by recalling the great statue by Bernini of St. Teresa in ecstasy.  The description of this supernatural event involving St. Teresa can be found in “The Book of Her Life” Ch. 29 verse 13.  Regarding the times we are living in, she has great advice:  “Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader, who went ahead of us to be the first to suffer, can endure all things.  The Lord helps us, strengthens us, and never fails; He is a true friend.” [Life, Ch. 22:7].

Mountains are a privileged place of prayer.  Jesus often went up the mountain to pray.  In Hebrews 12:22-24 we are invited to come to Mt. Zion, the City of the Living God.  What is this call?  How should we answer this call?  What is our responsibility in answering this call?  Mt. Zion is a place of prayer, consolation and growth.  But…don’t just stay there!  We have work to do!  Deacon Russell Baldwin, OCDS, shares his reflection on Mt. Zion to help us answer those questions.

Deacon Rusty Baldwin. OCDS, gives a talk about the Transfiguration.

Herb Edwards, OCDS, gave a wonderful talk about Our Lady Queen of Peace at our September 2020 OCDS Community meeting. The very beginning of the talk was cut off but the talk was so amazing, we still wanted to share it with you here.

Paul Adams, OCDS, provides insights on St. Pope John Paul II and the Blessed Virgin Mary.