Carmelite Conversations

We continue the introduction to the life of St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart by addressing the challenges she faced once she left civilian life and entered the convent in Carmel.  What were the lessons she still needed to learn?  How may we profit from them as well?  Additionally, what can we learn from her ardent devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?  Then, we approach the conversation of her mystical life and the famous mystical experience she had of “God is Love!”  What were the effects of this experience?  Finally, we touch on the relationship of St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart to Pope Benedict XVI’s recent encyclical letter:  “Deus Caritas Est.”

Host, Frances Harry, along with guest, Deacon/Dr. Tracy Jamison, OCDS talk about “spiritual marriage.” There are lots of questions about spiritual marriage. What is it? What does it involve? Where do we get this term? What happens in it? What difference does it make in my life and in those around me? Is it possible for all of us?

In this program, Mark and Frances will begin a series on the “Last Conversations” of St Therese of Lisieux. This is a collection of the statements and brief writings from her last months on earth. These reflections are very rich in spiritual depth and insight. St Therese seemed to want to impart the most important elements of her understanding of how God works with us, and how each and every soul might respond in order to pursue a genuine life of holiness. It is always so important to read the writings of the Saints, but perhaps never as important as reading and reflecting on what they have to share in the months and days before they are raised to Glory.

During this program Mark and Frances delve into the ‘Spiritual Diary’ which St. Teresa of the Andes kept from the age of 16. Along with her letters, this Diary represents the clearest picture we have of this young Saints interior life. It reveals both the great graces the Lord bestowed on her, but also the many trials and challenges she faced on her path to holiness. The Diary of St. Teresa of the Andes is a very revealing portrait of the path to holiness and the remarkable blessings our Lord chooses to share with those who truly seek to do His will.

This particular program is the second in the series on St. Teresa of the Andes. During this conversation, Mark and Frances explore what it was that made this young Chilean Carmelite so significant so quickly. They discuss some of the miracles associated with her and also spectacular events that began to happen right after her death. They also explore her great patronage to young people, to the work of the new evangelization and to the virtue of Joy. St. Teresa of the Andes is certainly a powerful Saint for our time.

This particular program is a conversation on one of the lesser known, but very important Carmelite Saints, St. Teresa of the Andes. In this conversation Mark and Frances discuss the earthly life of this wonderful Saint. St. Teresa of the Andes, who died in 1919 at the age of 19, is a model for young people. Her remarkable, although short, life, is a testament to how our young people today can begin to develop an intimate relationship with our Lord. Though she came from wealth, and had the benefit of a good Catholic family and education, St. Teresa’s life was not without pain and trial. Her dark times, however, only served to deepen both her relationship and love for the Lord. John Paul II said of her, “The secret of her perfection could be none other than love, a great love for Christ, and a filial love for the Virgin Mary.” She is truely a Saint for our time.

In this program, Mark and Frances discuss the prayer fo the Church, or the Liturgy of the Hours. They discuss a little about the history of the prayer, the different elements of the prayer, how it is prayed by the entire Church and some of the benefits of praying this prayer. They cover some of the differnet options for getting copies of the prayers, including sources on-line, and they also talk about the differences of praying this prayer in community or privately. This is a wonderful introduction to this most import form of “praying without ceasing.”

During this program Mark interviews Marika Zimmerman, a member of the Secular Order of Carmel in Dayton, Ohio. Marika is preparing to make her temporary promise this year. Mark explores with her the details of her Catholic upbringing, what brought her to Carmel and a discussion about some of her favorite Saints. They also discuss the topic of prayer and how prayer matures as we begin to make progress in Carmelite Spirituality.

Born Lucien Bunel in 1900, Pere Jacques became a Discalced Carmelite and was one of the individuals who undertook efforts to help the Jewish people during the Nazi occupation of France in WWII. He was arrested and spend time in 4 of the most dreaded concentration camps. Known to be a fine preacher and teacher, he had much to teach us about life, love, mercy, prayer, suffering, and about the body and soul. He said: “the greatest proof of trust you could give God is to accept from the depths of your heart, that His will be done in you, no matter what it be.” He lived this out in a very profound way.