Carmelite Conversations

The visible material world is only part of God’s gracious creation.  The spiritual reality of creation is often overlooked by people in general, however, anyone aspiring to grow in their relationship with God, does well to meditate on these spiritual realities.  Deacon Baldwin discusses both describing their distinctness yet inseparability.  He addresses who we are in God. 

He proceeds to describe the commonality between the Holy Trinity, the 7th Mansion (as Carmelites know thru St. Teresa of Avila’s book, “Interior Castle”) and the Sacrament of Matrimony.  His clear descriptions helps one understand with more clarity what this union entails.  He references 1 Corinthians 13 to summarize his point.

Anyone familiar with the writings of St. Therese of the Child Jesus knows that she struggles in dealing with difficult people, both as a young child and as a religious sister.  Importantly, she also triumphed in learning how to embrace difficult people.  What practical tips would Therese tell us about living with difficult family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers?

God Feels Distant.  How often have you felt that way or heard another person say that?  How is this manifested?  Is it normal in the spiritual life?  How much are we attributing this to our feelings rather than our intellect?  What are some examples of when this happens?  How should we respond?  What is the purpose of this in the spiritual life?  These are some of the questions Deacon Baldwin answers in this presentation.

The Ratio Institutionis is a document found in The Book of Documents used in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites as found at www.ocdswashprov/store/book.  It basically addresses how to put the Carmelite charism into practice in our daily lives.  It guides us in living out our Carmelite calling.

The Ratio presents the purpose or philosophy behind a program of formation for the members of the OCDS.  It is not the formation program itself, as far as which Saints to study or resources to use, but seeks to present the fundamental principles that guide the process of formation. 

Colleen Sollinger, our presenter, explains what this document covers, how it applies to living out our Carmelite call through the human, Christian, and Carmelite perspectives, and also includes a section on discerning a call to the Secular Discalced Carmelite Order.

She offers a great, insightful analogy of hot to put this all together in our daily life that gives the whole document a fresh breath…of the Holy Spirit, no doubt.  Living out the principles given in this Ratio helps set the tone for our life experiences, drawing us ever closer to Christ thru Mary, our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

What is “discernment”?  That word is used frequently in Christian circles, especially in regard to answering the call to our vocation in life.  Many souls have a fundamental misunderstanding of what discernment is.  Deacon Baldwin clarifies what discernment is NOT, and what it IS.

He then clarifies our understanding of the Christian essence of discernment.  He points out and explains how true discernment is a form of prayer.  He then describes how true discernment helps us gain interior freedom.  But what does this look like in our lives?  And more importantly, what is the definitive end of discernment?

After being fully professed by making the Definitive Promise in the Order, a member may choose to discern whether he/she is being called to make a vow.  What is a vow?  How does a vow differ from a promise?  What kind of vow can one make?  How is a soul prepared for making the vow?  What is involved?  Who is eligible and what time frame is involved?  Most importantly, why would a member want to make the vow?  These are some of the questions that will be addressed by Colleen Sollinger, a member and the current Director of Formation for the community of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Dayton.  Even if you are not in the Order, by hearing this presentation, you may come to appreciate in a deeper way, the commitment others make by the vows.

Aug. 9th is the feast of St.Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (aka Edith Stein).  Deacon Baldwin gives a short background on this wonderful Saint and then zeroes in on how she lived out the “love of the Cross.”  What was that like?  Who was she?  What did she believe?  How did love change her?  She indeed made the supreme sacrifice of the Cross, dying at Auschwitz.

In John 17: 14-16, Jesus states that we do not belong to the world. Still, He prays not that we be taken from the world, but that we may have the strength to resist evil. What do the Carmelite Saints have to say about remaining in God while being in the world?         Examples are provided from Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection, General Gaston de Sonis, and St. Teresa of Avila.

How are we (as Carmelites/Christians) to be to the world what the soul is to the body?  What do our Carmelite Doctors of the Church teach us?  How are we in the world but not of the world?  What is the soul?  How does it operate? What is its relationship to the body?  How does the soul and the body work together?  How does this relate to our Carmelite/Christian calling?

Secular Carmelites/Christians are sent to bring the Spirit of Christ into the world to animate and transform it.  How do we do that?  How is this union of the body and soul perfected in Christ?

Deacon Baldwin helps the listener to understand the word “mystery” as it applies to faith in God.  He explains how the mystery of God goes beyond our intellect and reason.  He then proceeds to introduce the steps to enter into the mystery of Divine Love.