Carmelite Conversations

Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.  Secular Discalced Carmelite Jean Crowley peers thru the Carmelite lens at this great time and how the Holy Spirit is acting.  Where do absence and silence come into play?  What is the great “Silent Absence” and the “Silent Unseen?”  Our guest draws us into a perspective we may not have thought about before.  She also introduces quotes from our dear Discalced Carmelites, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.  With her we continue to pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come!”

Guest and Secular Discalced Carmelite Marika Zimmerman joins hostess, Frances Harry, OCDS for a program on the Liturgy of the Hours, the universal prayer of the Church.  Part 2  focuses on questions that many people have asked us about the Liturgy of the Hours over the years.  There is some sage advice offered and perhaps, a new tip or two for those who have been praying the LOH for years. 

Resources:

General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours - Book One (Advent) of the four-volume set of the “Liturgy of the Hours” beginning on page 9…

Praying the Liturgy of the Hours, a Personal Journey by Father Timothy M. Gallagher OMV

Collected Letters of Saint Teresa of Avila, Vol. I, by Teresa of Avila; ICS Publications 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 

Divine Intimacy, by; Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.; On Page 500 a chapter entitled “Divine Office”

Word on Fire Liturgy of the Hours, monthly subscription booklet.  Subscribe at https://www.wordonfire.org/pray

Guest and Secular Discalced Carmelite Marika Zimmerman joins host, Frances Harry, OCDS for a program on the Liturgy of the Hours, the universal prayer of the Church.  Highlights from the General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours are presented as well as some personal insights, suggestions and practical tips.  This is helpful for anyone who prays the Liturgy of the Hours or for those wanting to know more about it.  It helps to pray more attentively when you have an understanding of how the LOH was put together and what is emphasized.  

Resources:

General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours - Book One (Advent) of the four-volume set of the “Liturgy of the Hours” beginning on page 9…

Praying the Liturgy of the Hours, a Personal Journey by Father Timothy M. Gallagher OMV

Collected Letters of Saint Teresa of Avila, Vol. I, by Teresa of Avila; ICS Publications 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 

Divine Intimacy, by; Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.; On Page 500 a chapter entitled “Divine Office”

Word on Fire Liturgy of the Hours, monthly subscription booklet.  Subscribe at https://www.wordonfire.org/pray

We all suffer…but do we suffer well?  What a mystery!  What does it mean to suffer well?  What are the challenges and fears about suffering?  What are the gifts and blessings of suffering?  What did our Carmelite Saints tell us about suffering?  This in person conversation with guest, Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, is really a witness of what he went through and is going through now in his suffering.  He has much insight, encouragement, and hope to offer us.  This conversation is beneficial to anyone who is suffering…or anyone wanting to learn how to suffer “well.”

SOURCES:

Books:

“Story of a Soul:  The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower),” by Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower); ICS Publications.

“Story of a Soul:  Study Edition,” by Marc Foley, OCD; ICS Publications.

“St. Therese of Lisieux:  Her Last Conversations,” by Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower); ICS Publications.

“Healed through Caner and Other Adversities” by James M. Littleton, Tate Publishing, 2012.

“Living through Cancer:  A Practical Guide to Cancer Related Concerns” by Carolyn Humphreys, OCDS/and registered Occupational Therapist;  (“What hidden gifts will cancer awaken in us?”);

Austin Macauley Publishers, 2018.

“The Problem of Pain” by C. S. Lewis, Harper Collins Publishers, first published in 1940.

Encyclicals/Apostolic Letters:

“Salvifici Doloris (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering)” by St. JPII, Apostolic Letter 1984.

 “Rerum Novarum,” 21/encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labor

Articles:

“A Catholic Reflection on the Meaning of Suffering” by Bryan Cross; https://www.calledtocommunion.com/2009/08/a-catholic-reflection-on-the-meaning-of-suffering/#footnote_57_2208

The feast of St. Joseph is March 19.  After the Blessed Virgin Mary, he is the greatest Saint of all time.  This year, 2022, the Knights of Columbus announced the selection of an icon of St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus as the centerpiece of this year’s K of C prayer program.  Our Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites was blessed to have a copy of this traveling icon with us during our Holy Hour.  Deacon Baldwin gave us a presentation on this icon and what it signifies.  St. Joseph was highly esteemed by St. Teresa of Avila, the foundress of the Discalced Carmelites.  So we were overjoyed to ponder him anew.  And so, with Deacon Baldwin, we “go to St. Joseph.”

Resources:

Here is the prayer on the back of the prayer card of the image of St. Joseph from the Knights of Columbus:

Patris Corde Prayer

Hail, guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son;

In you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

Show yourself a father

And guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,

And defend us from every evil.  Amen.

View the icon image here.

Silence is golden.  We have often heard that phrase.  Silence is really a deep Bible truth.  In this presentation, Deacon Baldwin will address that truth and point out the use of  silence in prayer and particularly in the life of contemplatives and the gift of contemplation in prayer.  He addresses the questions:  “Should I give up all vocal prayer and only strive for silence in prayer?”  “What Scripture passage helps me understand this point?”  “How do I grow in silence in prayer?”  “What book does he recommend to help us?” 

As a doctor of the Church,  St. Teresa of Avila has much to teach the universal Church and humanity at large.  She was quite the mystic.  We are so blessed that she wrote so much to help us grow in our union with God.  In this presentation by Teresa Trygstad, OCDS, the influence of the Holy Spirit in the life of St. Teresa of Avila is highlighted.  Several examples are given that help solidify the action of the Holy Spirit in her life and help us to ask ourselves, “where is the Holy Spirit acting in my life?”

The hidden power source behind our actions in fulfilling our mission as Secular Carmelites in the Church is THE HOLY SPIRIT!!! The Holy Spirit is involved in the Spiritual formation in the life of the Christian: He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He gives believers an inward assurance of salvation. It is the Holy Spirit who breathes life into the Church, and it is through the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit that we deepen the intimacy of our relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit illumines the recollected intellect, and illumines it according to the mode of its recollection… Let us draw closer to the Holy Spirit so that we can fulfill our mission as lay Carmelites.

Sources:

1.      Catechism of the Catholic Church  https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

2.      New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07409a.htm

3.      Profile of an OCDS by Father Aloysius Deeney, OCD https://www.ocdswashprov.org/profile-of-an-ocds

4.      The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross The Living Flame of Love1, 3 and 1,19 Canticle 1,6. The Ascent of Mount Carmel, 2,29,6. ICS Publications.

5.      The Interior Castle Study Edition (p. 32, 107, 276). ICS Publications. 

6.      USCCB online Bible for various scripture passages  https://www.usccb.org/

7.    EWTN Poem  https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-of-the-holy-spirit-by-st-benedicta-of-the-cross-edith-stein-291

Praying the rosary is a Marian Devotion that many Catholics practice.  As a Carmelite, it is a way of learning how to model Mary’s prayer life.  In this presentation, our guest, Lynn Bete, a member of the Dayton Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, gives us a fresh perspective on how to live out our Carmelite vocation through the mysteries of the Rosary.  She uses the Joyful Mysteries as an example.  Prayer, Mission, and Union with God are the focal points.  Carmelites would especially benefit from listening to this talk.

Advent is a beautiful time of reminding us to specifically prepare our hearts and wait with expectant hope and longing for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.    We look forward to His presence with great joy.  It also tends to be a very busy time filled with special activities, tasks and opportunities that can really distract us.  How might we approach all of this and still find God in all of it?  Deacon Baldwin makes a very deep point that will benefit the soul wanting to prepare well for the Lord’s coming.