Contemplation and Castanets - Catholic and Carmelite Spirituality

Reflections on Divine Intimacy: Meditation 1 – The Lord Comes from Afar (Part 1 of 3)

In this first episode of a three-part series, we reflect on the First Sunday of Advent using Divine Intimacy Meditation No. 1, “The Lord Cometh From Afar,” by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD. As we begin the holy season of Advent, we focus on awakening from spiritual sleep and preparing our hearts for Christ’s coming, inspired by themes from today’s liturgy and Scripture.

This meditation introduces us to the triple coming of Christ: in love at Bethlehem, in grace to our souls, and in justice at the end of time. Through this reflection, we are invited to embrace His grace, “put on the armor of light,” and foster a vigilant, trusting expectation.

Join us as we journey through Advent, seeking to grow in holiness and intimacy with God, while preparing to celebrate the Mystery of the Incarnation.

Resources:

Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD. Published by Baronius Press: ⁠https://www.baronius.com⁠

For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Order, visit: ⁠carmelitaniscalzi.com⁠

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Looking for traditional Catholic prayers and prayers for inner healing and deliverance? Visit my other podcast, Under Thy Protection, where prayers, formerly hosted on Contemplation and Castanets, have been moved.

⁠⁠Under Thy Protection  ⁠⁠is your dedicated space for spiritual renewal through powerful prayers and devotions.

May God bless us and keep us close to His Heart.

– A Little Pilgrim

⁠⁠https://alittlepilgrim.org/podcasts

Reflections on Divine Intimacy: An Introduction to a New Podcast Series (Part 3 of 3)

Welcome to our new podcast series! We will explore Divine Intimacy, the spiritual classic by Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. This book is a collection of daily meditations rooted in Carmelite spirituality. It is designed to help you grow in your relationship with God through prayer and reflection.

Divine Intimacy is based on the teachings of Carmelite Saints such as Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, making it a treasure for Catholics who are seeking spiritual growth.

In this series, we will be going through the meditations day by day, reflecting on the themes and offering practical insights to help you apply them to your life. We will discuss topics like holiness, intimacy with God, purification, detachment, the Passion of Christ, prayer, the virtues, the Holy Trinity, Mary, the Sacraments, and the Beatitudes.

This series is for everyone, whether you are new to prayer or have been on a spiritual journey for a long time. No matter where you are in your journey, Divine Intimacy can help you grow in faith, love, and your relationship with God.

Each meditation in the book has three parts:

●Presence of God: Helps you focus your attention on God.

●Reflection and Reading: Uses scripture, theology, and the writings of saints to guide your reflection.

●Colloquy: Provides space for a heart-to-heart conversation with God, including love, praise, thanksgiving, and resolutions.

The book follows the traditional liturgical calendar, making it a perfect companion to your daily prayer life.

Join us as we journey through Divine Intimacy together!

Please subscribe now and let's begin this beautiful spiritual adventure together!

Sources:

Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD. Published by Baronius Press: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.baronius.com⁠⁠⁠

For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Order, visit: ⁠⁠⁠carmelitaniscalzi.com⁠⁠⁠

---

Looking for traditional Catholic prayers and prayers for inner healing and deliverance? Visit my other podcast, Under Thy Protection, where prayers, formerly hosted on Contemplation and Castanets, have been moved.

⁠⁠Under Thy Protection  ⁠⁠is your dedicated space for spiritual renewal through powerful prayers and devotions.

May God bless us and keep us close to His Heart.

– A Little Pilgrim

⁠⁠https://bit.ly/m/alittlepilgrim⁠⁠

Reflections on Divine Intimacy: An Introduction to a New Podcast Series (Part 2 of 3)

Welcome to our new podcast series! We will explore Divine Intimacy, the spiritual classic by Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. This book is a collection of daily meditations rooted in Carmelite spirituality. It is designed to help you grow in your relationship with God through prayer and reflection.

Divine Intimacy is based on the teachings of Carmelite Saints such as Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, making it a treasure for Catholics who are seeking spiritual growth.

In this series, we will be going through the meditations day by day, reflecting on the themes and offering practical insights to help you apply them to your life. We will discuss topics like holiness, intimacy with God, purification, detachment, the Passion of Christ, prayer, the virtues, the Holy Trinity, Mary, the Sacraments, and the Beatitudes.

This series is for everyone, whether you are new to prayer or have been on a spiritual journey for a long time. No matter where you are in your journey, Divine Intimacy can help you grow in faith, love, and your relationship with God.

Each meditation in the book has three parts:

●Presence of God: Helps you focus your attention on God.

●Reflection and Reading: Uses scripture, theology, and the writings of saints to guide your reflection.

●Colloquy: Provides space for a heart-to-heart conversation with God, including love, praise, thanksgiving, and resolutions.

The book follows the traditional liturgical calendar, making it a perfect companion to your daily prayer life.

Join us as we journey through Divine Intimacy together!

Please subscribe now and let's begin this beautiful spiritual adventure together!

Sources:

Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD. Published by Baronius Press: ⁠⁠https://www.baronius.com⁠⁠

For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Order, visit: ⁠⁠carmelitaniscalzi.com⁠⁠

---

Looking for traditional Catholic prayers and prayers for inner healing and deliverance? Visit my other podcast, Under Thy Protection, where prayers, formerly hosted on Contemplation and Castanets, have been moved.

⁠⁠Under Thy Protection  ⁠⁠is your dedicated space for spiritual renewal through powerful prayers and devotions.

May God bless us and keep us close to His Heart.

– A Little Pilgrim

⁠⁠https://bit.ly/m/alittlepilgrim⁠⁠

Reflections on Divine Intimacy: An Introduction to a New Podcast Series (Part 1 of 3)

Welcome to our new podcast series! We will explore Divine Intimacy, the spiritual classic by Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. This book is a collection of daily meditations rooted in Carmelite spirituality. It is designed to help you grow in your relationship with God through prayer and reflection.

Divine Intimacy is based on the teachings of Carmelite Saints such as Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, making it a treasure for Catholics who are seeking spiritual growth.

In this series, we will be going through the meditations day by day, reflecting on the themes and offering practical insights to help you apply them to your life. We will discuss topics like holiness, intimacy with God, purification, detachment, the Passion of Christ, prayer, the virtues, the Holy Trinity, Mary, the Sacraments, and the Beatitudes.

This series is for everyone, whether you are new to prayer or have been on a spiritual journey for a long time. No matter where you are in your journey, Divine Intimacy can help you grow in faith, love, and your relationship with God.

Each meditation in the book has three parts:

●Presence of God: Helps you focus your attention on God.

●Reflection and Reading: Uses scripture, theology, and the writings of saints to guide your reflection.

●Colloquy: Provides space for a heart-to-heart conversation with God, including love, praise, thanksgiving, and resolutions.

The book follows the traditional liturgical calendar, making it a perfect companion to your daily prayer life.

Join us as we journey through Divine Intimacy together!

Please subscribe now and let's begin this beautiful spiritual adventure together!

Sources:

Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD. Published by Baronius Press: ⁠https://www.baronius.com⁠

For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Order, visit: ⁠carmelitaniscalzi.com⁠

---

Looking for traditional Catholic prayers and prayers for inner healing and deliverance? Visit my other podcast, Under Thy Protection, where prayers, formerly hosted on Contemplation and Castanets, have been moved.

⁠⁠Under Thy Protection  ⁠⁠is your dedicated space for spiritual renewal through powerful prayers and devotions.

May God bless us and keep us close to His Heart.

– A Little Pilgrim

⁠⁠https://alittlepilgrim.org/podcasts

Reflections on Divine Intimacy: Meditation 362 - Union of Will

This excerpt from the spiritual text Divine Intimacy by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen explores the concept of union of will with God, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of spiritual life is the complete conformity of one's will to God's will. It presents this union as a transformative process achieved through love, where the individual's desires are progressively replaced by God's, resulting in a complete surrender of self. The text highlights both mystical experiences and the "ordinary way" of consistent effort as paths to this union, asserting that God's grace is available to all who wholeheartedly seek it. Ultimately, the passage aims to inspire us to pursue this profound unity with the divine, promising peace and fulfillment in both earthly and eternal life.

Resources:

Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD. Published by Baronius Press: https://www.baronius.com

For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Order, visit: carmelitaniscalzi.com

---

Looking for traditional Catholic prayers and prayers for inner healing and deliverance? Visit my other podcast, Under Thy Protection, where prayers, formerly hosted on Contemplation and Castanets, have been moved.

⁠Under Thy Protection  ⁠is your dedicated space for spiritual renewal through powerful prayers and devotions.

May God bless us and keep us close to His Heart.

– A Little Pilgrim

⁠https://bit.ly/m/alittlepilgrim⁠

In the Arms of Jesus

In this episode, we reflect on In the Arms of Jesus, a moving passage from Manuscript C, 35v-37r, where St. Thérèse of Lisieux meditates on the intimate relationship between the soul and God. Through her profound imagery of being “drawn” into the flames of Christ’s love, Thérèse illuminates the transformative power of surrender and trust. We discuss her insights on prayer, the mystical union with God, and the soul’s role as a link in the chain of God’s greater plan. Discover how Thérèse’s reflections can inspire us to deepen our trust in God’s mercy and embrace the call to a life of love and service. Whether you’re steeped in Carmelite spirituality or simply seeking to enrich your prayer life, this episode offers a glimpse into the heart of St. Thérèse’s spiritual legacy.

Topics covered: Theresian spirituality, mystical prayer, trust in God, Carmelite reflections

This episode draws from Manuscript C of St. Thérèse’s writings, courtesy of the General Curia of the Teresian Carmel (⁠https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/).

---

Looking for traditional Catholic prayers for inner healing and deliverance? Visit my other podcast, Under Thy Protection, where prayers, formerly hosted on Contemplation and Castanets, have been moved.

⁠Under Thy Protection  ⁠is your dedicated space for spiritual renewal through powerful prayers and devotions.

May God bless us and keep us close to His Heart.

– A Little Pilgrim

⁠https://bit.ly/m/alittlepilgrim⁠

The Power of Prayer

In this episode, we explore The Power of Prayer, a profound reflection by St. Thérèse of Lisieux on the nature of prayer as “an aspiration of the heart” and “a simple glance directed to heaven.” Join us as we discuss Manuscript C, 24v-26r, where Thérèse shares her experience guiding a novice and reveals the strength found in small, heartfelt prayers. Discover how her approach can deepen our spiritual life, reminding us that even the simplest prayers can unite us with Jesus and transform our hearts. Whether you’re familiar with Carmelite spirituality or new to St. Thérèse’s “little way,” this episode invites you to see prayer as a powerful, accessible, and deeply personal connection with God.

Topics covered: Theresian spirituality, prayer, St. Thérèse, Catholic reflections

This episode draws from Manuscript C of St. Thérèse’s writings, courtesy of the General Curia of the Teresian Carmel (https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/).

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Under Thy Protection⁠⁠ (Prayers in English)
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About: Contemplation and Castanets is a podcast dedicated to Carmelite spirituality and the life of the Carmelite family. We explore the teachings of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and other Carmelite saints, along with topics related to contemplative prayer, mental prayer, Carmelite formation, OCDS life, religious vocations, Carmelite legislation, and the mission of Carmelite friars, nuns, and seculars. Whether you are discerning a vocation, living the Carmelite charism, or simply seeking a deeper life of prayer, you’ll find reflections, discussions, and resources rooted in the rich tradition of Carmel.