Carmelite Conversations

In the final segment of the three part series, Mark and Frances start with St. John of the Cross’s counsel on the attitude the soul should take during the transition to the beginning of the supernatural gift of contemplation. We then discuss different metaphors that may help one to understand what this is like. We then bring up descriptions of contemplation by our saints and others. Finally, what is the key sign that a soul has experienced the gift of infused contemplation? What are the general characteristics of this supernatural prayer? What are the four stages of infused contemplative prayer? What are the fruits of this gift of prayer? Finally, what are the eight practical steps a soul may take so as to live a more contemplative life and incorporate contemplative prayer?

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In this segment, Mark and Frances delve into more of the particulars of the transition from active mental prayer to passive contemplative prayer. We start with a discussion of how to prepare for the gift of infused contemplation. St. Teresa of Avila recommended the practice of the prayer of recollection. What do we need to do to get recollected? What does the transition from the active prayer degrees to the passive contemplative prayer degrees look like? What signs does St. John of the Cross give us to help us know when we are being called to leave discursive prayer and mental reasoning and practice more simplicity in prayer? What signs does he give to indicate we have entered the “Passive Night of the Sense”? What should the soul do when we are in this transition period? What should the soul be cautious about?

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Join Mark and Frances on an introduction and discussion on contemplative prayer. We start by defining the words: prayer, grace, and contemplation. The word “contemplation” means many different things depending on the context and culture it is used. There is much misinformation regarding different aspects of this word. Mark and Frances talk about what contemplation is NOT as well as how it is compared to New Age practices. We then go into both the natural and supernatural modes of contemplative prayer. St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church, is the expert we turn to in order to define the term.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):

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“The Dark Night” by John of the Cross, from “The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross” translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD and Otilio Rodriguez, OCD; ICS Publications.

In this second of a two part series, Mark and Frances continue a discussion of the important role of silence in our contemplative prayer life, and in our daily life. Building on the more objective list of the twelve degrees of silence they discussed in the previous program, this week they introduce the writings of Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified, a Carmelite Saint who was Canonized in 2015, where Jesus Himself instructs the Saint on how to practice silence. The Lord uses very powerful poetic imagery to try and provide a picture of just what He wants Miriam (Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified), and for that matter all of us, to try and practice this deep interior silence. The Lord well understands that it is not the external noise of the world that often interrupts our efforts to find this silence, but rather it is the reverberating echo of our own thoughts and internal conversation that disrupts our prayer life. External events and circumstances will always pose a threat to our interior silence, but it is more how we respond to them and what permission we give them to enter into our hearts that has the potentially most negative consequences for our prayer. This program is very helpful for anyone looking to find more effective ways to practice silence, both in prayer and in their daily life.

Here Mark and Frances reintroduce a topic they believe does not get enough attention in our discussion of contemplative prayer or even in conversations about the spiritual journey. The topic is the important role of silence in our daily prayer and in our daily lives. Mark and Frances begin by explaining that the spiritual definition of silence goes well beyond the simple absence of noise, and they readily admit that our human language always falls short when trying to adequately explain what is meant by true silence. Indeed, they contend it is something that can only be experienced by the individual soul; it is really a gift of the Holy Spirit and really the most we can hope to do it dispose ourselves to receive this gift. None the less, in this two part series, Mark and Frances do attempt to provide some explanation of what is meant by this gift if silence, and more importantly they hope that by offering what descriptions they can, the listener will be in a better position to seek after this intimate encounter of silence in prayer. In this conversation they begin by explaining the twelve degrees of silence that are offered from the writings of the Desert Fathers. These include some of the more obvious elements of quieting our imagination, our feelings or emotions and our self love. But the list also includes the less obvious elements of needing to quiet our intelligence, judgement and will. This program is a very good introduction to the critically important role of silence in our prayer life and in the daily circumstances of our spiritual journey.

In this conversation Mark and Frances invite Fr. Don Brink into the studio for a lively conversation on a range of topics, all things Carmel. Fr. Don reflects on the different stages of Contemplative prayer and how we might identify some of the elements of our progression through these stages. He also discusses the sometimes difficult balance individual souls must attempt to find between our lives of prayer and our call to active ministry in the world. Fr. Don makes very clear, consistent with sound Carmelite teaching, that our more active ministry in the Church, whether teaching, assisting the poor or anyone of a number of works of charity we may engage in, must always be grounded in and preceded by our life of prayer. Additionally, Fr. Don goes to some length to emphasize the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual journey. He strongly advocates that we must continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and allow this great gift of God to direct our path through all the circumstances of our life. This is a very good program for those who may be looking for a broad introduction to all the key elements of Carmelite life.

How did St. Teresa of Avila express her Marian devotion and how might we imitate her? Although St. Teresa did not write a major work on the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is no doubt the importance she played in St. Teresa’s life, from her youth up through her founding many monasteries. One may ask, what place did the rosary have in her prayer life? What was the importance of the Virgin Mary in St. Teresa’s prayer? Did she have some mystical encounters involving the Blessed Mother? And, for today, how might we grow in our devotion to our Heavenly Mother?

 Resources:

 Scripture: Lk 1:35

 Books:

“The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 1, 2, and 3,” Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD and Otilio Rodriguez, OCD; ICS Publications.

 “Sermon in a Sentence: a Treasury of Quotations on the Spiritual Life, Vol. 4, St. Teresa of Avila,” Selected and Arranged by John P. McClermon; Ignatius Press

Article:

“Saint Teresa of Jesus and the Virgin Mary” found at www.ocd.pcn.nt/mad_en1.htm

In this second of a two part series on the Holy Spirit, Mark and Frances speak about the work of the Holy Spirit in our individual souls. After providing a brief list of the names given to the Holy Spirit, the conversation moves to a deeper exploration of role of the Holy Spirit in the work of our sanctification. As the Church teaches this all a work of Grace, so Mark and Frances take the time to describe the two elements of Grace and how they each play a unique role in our sanctification. After describing the more Theological aspects of the working of Grace, they go on to provide a detailed explanation of the more practical aspects of Grace and how individual souls might go about securing Grace for themselves. The single greatest source of Grace of course are the Sacraments of the Church, but not all receive the Sacraments to the same degree, or with the same degree of preparation, and therefore not everyone receives the same amount of Grace, even though they may attend the same Mass. The conversation also explore the important role of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. Here Mark and Frances investigate how we each soul might best prepare ourselves to cooperate with this work of the Trinity, this is most especially done through prayer.

By studying the book of Acts, one may learn a great deal about the Holy Spirit. Of great importance to each person is the way to prepare to receive the Holy Spirit. The earlier verses from Acts give us lots of indicators on how the Apostles prepared and thus set the example for how we may prepare. This conversation covers a list of 9 simple steps to get ready for Pentecost.

Resources

Scripture Passages: Jn 14:26, Acts 1:8, Lk 12:12; Jn 14:16-17; Jn 16:13, Mt 4:5, Mt 5:35, Ps. 46:10, Is 40:31, Acts 1:6, Acts 1:13-14, Lk 11:9-10, 13; Lk 10:21, Acts 10:44-46, Jn 4:23-24, 1 Cor 10:31.

Books:

“The Sanctifier: The Classic Work on the Holy Spirit” (also known as “True Devotion to the Holy Spirit”) by Archbishop Luis Martinez, Translated by Sister M. Aquinas; St. Paul Editions.

“Holy Spirit Make Your Home in Me: Biblical Meditations on Receiving the Gift of the Spirit” by George T. Montague, S.M.; The Word Among Us Press.

“Hearts Aflame: the Holy Spirit at the Heart of Christian Life Today” by Alan Schreck; Servant Publications.

“Paraclete: the Spirit of Truth in the Church” by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R.; Servant Publications.

“Thoughts of Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified” by Rev. D. Buzy, S.C.J.; Carmel of Bethlehem.

“Divine Intimacy” by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.; Tan Books.