Carmelite Conversations

In this talk, Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, discusses how to maintain our Carmelite identity.

Carmelites are well aware of the spiritual journey climbing Mt. Carmel to grow in union with our Lord.  What may be passing under our radar is the Mystical Union with our Blessed Virgin Mary. This program addresses what that union is, what Marian souls experience in it, and how we may prepare ourselves to be open for such a great grace. The main source was the book by Fr. Emile Neubert called “Life of Union with Mary.”

Many of us are homebound right now due to the pandemic of the coronavirus. The whole world is experiencing this scourging. What are we as Secular Discalced Carmelites called to do. Mark highlights some aspects of our Carmelite Charism that are particularly potent right now, in this period of Lent and the pandemic.

Since most of us, all over the world, are not able to physically go to Mass and received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, due to the pandemic coronavirus, we have a unique opportunity to intensify our spiritual practice of spiritual communions. St. Teresa of Avila gives us some wise counsel on this topic. Additionally, St. Therese of Lisieux, wrote a poem, “My Desires Near Jesus Hidden in His Prison of Love,” that will help inflame any loving heart.

Deacon Russell Baldwin, OCDS, gave a homily on The Well-Ordered Life at our March 2020 Community meeting and holy Hour.

Marika Zimmerman, OCDS, gave this presentation at our March 2020 Community meeting.

Bibliography

Nine Themes in Carmelite Spirituality - 6. Carmel is Marian

by Fr. Patrick Thomas McMahon, O.Carm.

https://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/nine-themes-carmelite-spirituality-6-carmel-marian

Liturgy of the Hours Lenten/Easter Season Volume II for Solemnity the

Annunciation  Psalm Prayer Divine office for 25 March Psalm prayer after Psalm45 not in the four volume but found on line.  

http://www.ibreviary.com/m2/breviario.php?s=ufficio_delle_letture

St Teresa of Avila The Way of perfection Study Edition by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD Page 368

Bible References from the USCCB web site

http://www.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1

Catechism of the Catholic Church Part 1 The Profession of - Section 2 Chapter 2 Article 3  Paragraph 2 I. CONCEIVED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. . .

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p122a3p2.htm

Novena in Honor of Mary Mother Thrice Admirable and Queen of Schoenstatt booklet

By Sister M. Gunthildis, S.A.C.  Translated from German by Ulric J. Proeller, S.T. L.  The Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, New –Schoenstatt W. 284 N. 404 Cherry Lane, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188   1986 pages 8-10

Divine Intimacy Meditations on the Interior Life for every day of the Liturgical Year by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. Tan Publishers Rockford Illinois © 1964 Pages 1133-1136 (The Annunciation)

Material and spiritual attachments are BIG roadblocks to our growing union with the Lord. This presentation by Deacon Baldwin, himself a Secular Discalced Carmelite, helps one ponder how to live out the Evangelical Counsel of Poverty in one’s own life. In a way, it is even harder for Seculars as the temptations are greater since they live in the world and use material possessions daily. Deacon Baldwin refers to the “Four Degrees of Poverty” of St. Alphonsus Liguori from the book, The Spouse of Christ. This is a very helpful reflection, especially for anyone considering making a promise or vow of Evangelical Poverty.

For 2020, our OCDS Community in Dayton, Ohio, has the theme of "Mary, Our Mother” for all of our community presentations. This month’s presentation is on “Mary in Scripture.” There are some eye-opening analogies and topologies presented in this talk that will bolster the faith of many. Additionally, many scriptural passages are referenced for your benefit. The presentation is by Chris Cotter, OCDS. 

It’s no surprise to learn of the great devotion St. Therese of Lisieux had for our Mother Mary. She was immersed in Marian devotion from her birth, being born into a family that all loved Mary. The focus of this presentation is on four aspects of Therese’s love for Mary: 1) the Ordinary/Simple Mary, 2) the Healing Mother/Child of Mary, 3) Being Under the Mantle/Veil of Mary, and 4) Mary’s Maternal Love: More Mother than Queen. At the end of the reflection, Therese’s poem “Why I Love You, O Mary” (from “The Poetry of Saint Therese of Lisieux” translated by Donald Kinney, OCD; ICS Publications) is recited. Take time to ponder this poem. It summarizes Therese’s love for Mary!

This is a reflection given on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord that focuses on the sacrament of Baptism itself as well as our own Baptism in light of our vocation to Carmel.