Carmelite Conversations

Have you wondered what some of the key themes are for Pope Francis? Well he is certainly interested in the needs of the poor, and we know that he has some very specific ideas about economics and the need to pursue peace in the midst of political conflicts. However, if there is one consistent theme that Pope Francis has continued to focus on, it is the Mercy of God. In this particular conversation, Mark and Frances explore Carmelite perspectives on Mercy, largely through the writings of St Therese of Lisieux and also Pope France’s new book, entitled “The Church of Mercy.” Pope Francis himself stresses that we must remember that beyond the simple reality of God’s omnipotence, omnipresence and transcendence, God should first and foremost be known for His Mercy. Mercy is understood as compassion, kindness and forgiveness, and despite our too often view of God as judgmental, He greatest attribute is Mercy.

“The Holy Father just released a book entitled “The Church of Mercy.” In this particular conversation, Mark and Frances begin a series of discussions on the importance of the message of Mercy in the Church today. They begin by focusing on the upcoming event of Divine Mercy Sunday, and then move forward in time to both Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II and what they both had to say about the gift of Mercy that we receive from God. They then discuss our current Holy Father’s book about Mercy, and one of the sources of his inspiration for this book, a certain German Theologian and Cardinal named Walter Kasper, who himself wrote a book simply titled “Mercy.” It is a book that our Holy Father Francis strongly endorsed and from which he drew a great deal of insight for his own book. Mark and Frances go on to discuss a number of Saints, including St. Therese of Lisieux, and Saint Faustina, and what they had to say about God’s great Mercy. This is a message which is so important for us to hear today, especially in light of a world that so often struggles with the loss of Hope and the onslaught of despair. Mark and Frances will continue this important message through the Easter Season.”

In this second program on Blessed Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite Friar who ultimately was martyred during WWII, Mark and Frances continue the discussion of Titus’ contribution to the history of Mysticism. They discuss some of his more significant writings, his theology regarding the importance of creating a sacred space within our hearts, our cell, his political activities against Nazi tyranny, and the central role the virtue of Hope played in his life. Both Titus Brandsma’s teachings, and most significantly his life, serve as models of how we are to conduct ourselves on the path to holiness.

“The Carmelite Order has no shortage of martyrs, especially during the Second World War, and one of the most well known is Titus Brandsma. Fr. Titus Brandsma was a renowned professor of Philosophy, very active in the development of Catholic education, and a significant contributor to the field of journalism on behalf of Catholic causes. In this conversation Mark and Frances discuss Titus’ early life, his call to Carmel, his growing reputation as a voice of reason against the backdrop of the horrors of WWII, and his efforts to communicate the beauty of the interior life which he found in Carmel. Titus was both a great philosopher and someone keenly aware of the power of they mystical life. He was able to combine these two disciplines in a way that allowed him to both understand and deal with the tragic events of his time.”

“This program is the third in a three part series on the life of Hermann Cohen, the renowned piano player who converted to Catholicism and eventually became a Carmelite Friar. Fr. Cohen’s life was a remarkable witness to the power of the Eucharist and the power of prayer. In this third conversation on Hermann Cohen’s life, Mark and Frances discuss his close relationship with the famous Franz Liszt, and the role that Fr. Cohen played in bringing Liszt back to the faith. They also discuss the impact Fr. Cohen had on the spread of Eucharistic adoration, especially night adoration. They also discuss the remarkable events that led eventually to Hermann Cohen’s death and the sacrifices he made toward the end of his life.”

We can never hear enough about the power of the Eucharist and the influence it can have on people’s lives. In this compelling program, Mark and Frances discuss the life of Hermann Cohen, a famous pianist who converted to Catholicism and eventually became a Carmelite Hermit. This is a fascinating story with three central characters, Hermann Cohen, the Blessed Mother, and our Lord, in the form of the Holy Eucharist. Cohen’s story is one of faith and inspiration for anyone looking to find the central meaning in our lives. Despite a very colored and misguided early life, Hermann Cohen, through his contact with our Lord in the Eucharist, came to understand the true meaning for his life, and for all our lives.

In this conversation Mark and Frances continue with the second part of a three part series on conforming our will to the will of God. They are using a text from Carmelite Friar Father Wilfrid Stinissen entitled “Into your Hands, Father.” After finishing up the last section of the first part of Fr. Stinissen’s book, which concluded with the role of the memory and the practice of the virtue of Hope, Mark and Frances move to the second section of the book. In this second section Fr. Stinissen speaks about our need to not only accept everything in our life as God’s will, but to them move to put our hands on the plow and begin to do the work the Lord calls us to. Here Fr. Stinissen asks and answers his own question, namely, does God guide us through every moment of our day. The answer is yes, but He uses both external and internal means of doing this. After going through each of these means, Mark and Frances discuss the importance of the role of detachment, and our need to practice genuine human freedom in the context of pursuing our final ends as human persons. It is only through the practice of genuine freedom that we free ourselves to obey God in all things.

All of the spiritual masters have told us that on the journey we must learn to follow God’s will. But that always leaves us with that compelling question – how do I come to know God’s will for me. In this conversation Mark and Frances explore the writings of the Carmelite Saints to help provide some understanding on how we can approach this challenging issue. They identify that we must begin from where we are. We must first recognize that God seldom asks us to make dramatic changes in the external aspects of our life, but He may well ask us to significantly modify our approach to our interior life. If this is an issue you have struggled with, this program will provide many practical bits of advice.

The original founders of the Order of Carmel found it necessary to identify a Rule by which they could conduct their daily activities and stay focused on what was most important. This is no less important for us today. We all need to have some basic guidance that helps stay focused and make progress along the Spiritual Journey. In this conversation Mark and Frances discuss the elements of what should go into a Rule of Life. They also discuss how the development of a Rule can be tailored to our individual circumstances and those elements we need to work on in our own spiritual path. They also discuss some of the best thinking on a Rule from the writings of the Saints and the Church Fathers.

Many people are familiar with the Devotion to the Infant of Prague, but what not many people know is that this devotion actually began with the Carmelites. In this particular program, Mark and Frances discuss the history of this wonderful devotion and its association with the Carmelite Order. They also discuss the blessings and promises the Lord has made to those who practice this devotion. The Christmas Season seems a wonderful time to focus on the Christ Child, and the rich Devotion to the Infant of Prague is a gift that will continue to bless us throughout the year.