Contemplation and Castanets - Catholic and Carmelite Spirituality

The Rule of Saint Albert is a contemplative audio series within Contemplation and Castanets, offering a slow, prayerful listening to the foundational rule of the Carmelite Order.

Written in the thirteenth century by Saint Albert of Jerusalem, the Rule is presented one paragraph at a time, read without commentary and followed by silence. This series is intended as an audio divina, an invitation to attentive listening, interior reflection, and fidelity lived over time.

Podcast presented by ⁠⁠⁠@una_peregrinita⁠⁠⁠.

The Rule of Saint Albert is a contemplative audio series within Contemplation and Castanets, offering a slow, prayerful listening to the foundational rule of the Carmelite Order.

Written in the thirteenth century by Saint Albert of Jerusalem, the Rule is presented one paragraph at a time, read without commentary and followed by silence. This series is intended as an audio divina, an invitation to attentive listening, interior reflection, and fidelity lived over time.

Podcast presented by ⁠⁠⁠@una_peregrinita⁠⁠⁠.

On this Feast , we lift our hearts with the ‘Flos Carmeli,’ invoking Our Lady’s guidance and protection.

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Flower of Carmel,

Tall vine, blossom-laden;

Splendor of heaven,

Childbearing yet maiden,

None equals thee.

Mother so tender,

Who no man didst know,

On Carmel’s children

Thy favors bestow,

Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse,

Who bore one bright flower,

Be ever near us

And guard us each hour,

Who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies,

That flowers among thorns,

Bring help to the true hearts

That in weakness turn

And trust in thee.

Strongest of armor,

We trust in thy might:

Under thy mantle,

Hard-pressed in the fight,

We call to thee.

Our way uncertain,

Surrounded by foes,

Unfailing counsel

You offer to those

Who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother,

Who in Carmel reigns,

Share with your servants

That gladness you gained

And now enjoy.

Hail, Gate of Heaven,

With glory now crowned,

Bring us to safety,

Where thy Son is found,

True joy to see. Amen.

Holy Mary, Mother of Christ,

Hear the cry of your servants,

And bring down heavenly aid

In answer to our prayer.

Let us pray.

By a special privilege, Lord,

You have adorned the Carmelite Order

With the name of Your Mother,

The most glorious Virgin Mary.

Grant, as we faithfully remember this honor,

That in these days we may receive her protection,

And in the days to come,

We may be brought to everlasting happiness.

This we ask of You,

Who are living and reigning forever. Amen.

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If this prayer blessed you, please: Rate this podcast - Subscribe for more daily Carmelite content - Share it with someone devoted to Our Lady

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

For more Catholic content, please follow our other podcasts:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Under Thy Protection⁠ (Prayers in English)
• ⁠Bajo Tu Amparo⁠⁠⁠ (Prayers in Spanish)
• ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ (Bilingual Prayer Channel)

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.

Based on a reading from: Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year Author: Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. Meditation: 35. Let Us Make Good Use Of Time.

As another year passes, do you ever stop to consider the true value of your time? Our life on earth is a finite, precious gift from God, a definite period assigned to us for one purpose: to let our love grow into an abyss. It is a profound and urgent truth that "Time ill spent is lost forever", for when our short day on earth is done, "the night cometh when no man can work." In that moment, we will be established forever in the degree of love we reached in time; the love we cultivate now becomes our unchangeable, eternal reality. To answer this call, we must fulfill our daily duties "with our whole heart." This truth can bring regret, yet it is in looking upon the time we have lost that we discover God’s infinite power. As St. Teresa of Avila prayed, we can trust that our merciful Lord can take our past failings and, in a single moment, turn that loss into gain. Join us for this profound meditation to learn how to redeem the time you have left and find encouragement to make each moment eternal, so that you may appear before God wearing the wedding garment He desires for you.

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For more Catholic content, please follow our other podcasts:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Under Thy Protection⁠ (Prayers in English)
• ⁠Bajo Tu Amparo⁠⁠⁠ (Prayers in Spanish)
• ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ (Bilingual Prayer Channel)

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.

Just as we settle into the joy of the Christmas season, the liturgy confronts us with a piercing note of sorrow through Simeon's prophecy. The words spoken to Mary "And thy own soul a sword shall pierce" mingle the bloody vision of the Cross with the tender scene of the Nativity. This meditation explores the profound reality of Jesus as a "sign which shall be contradicted"—a divine reality that forces a choice, a loving solicitation that human freedom can tragically refuse. This prophecy reveals the great mystery and tremendous responsibility of our freedom. While God extends His offer of salvation, we are each free to either accept or reject it. We see a stark contrast between the souls prepared to receive the Savior, those who, like Simeon and Anna, cultivate rectitude, prayer, and a sincere longing for God—and those unprepared for His coming. This meditation invites us to examine our own hearts: are we, like Simeon and Anna, prepared to receive our Savior? Or does our freedom become a barrier to His redemptive work?

Reading from: Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year Author: Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. Meditation: 34. A Sign Of Contradiction

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For more Catholic content, please follow our other podcasts:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Under Thy Protection⁠⁠ (Prayers in English)
• ⁠⁠Bajo Tu Amparo⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prayers in Spanish)
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Bilingual Prayer Channel)

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.

Act of Oblation to Merciful Love (Prayer 6) - St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. In this episode, we listen to St. Thérèse’sAct of Oblation to Merciful Love. This profound prayer offers a glimpse into the heart of her spirituality—one of trust, surrender, and complete abandonment to God’s infinite mercy.

✨Source Text: Available at theGeneral Curia of the Teresian Carmel.

🎙Podcast by:A Little Pilgrim.

Looking for more? Explore my other podcast,Under Thy Protection, a collection of Catholic prayers for inner healing and deliverance, available on Spotify and other platforms.

Let us journey together in faith and love, guided by the wisdom of St. Thérèse!

Merry and holy Christmas. ✨🙏

With gratitude and wonder, we proclaim the Canticle of Zechariah, the prayer the Church raises each morning at Lauds, reminding us that the Lord has visited and redeemed His people, faithfully fulfilling His promises.

In this holy season of Christmas, we contemplate the God who draws near, who enlightens those who walk in darkness and guides our steps along the path of peace. May this prayer be a place of rest, trust, and hope before the mystery of the Incarnation.

I wish you from the heart a Christmas filled with the presence of the Lord, lived in silence, gratitude, and deep joy. May the Child Jesus strengthen your homes, heal hearts, and renew the faith of each one.

May Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, cover us with her mantle,

and may Christ, the Dayspring from on high,

fill your days with light and peace.

— A Little Pilgrim

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Feliz y santa Navidad. ✨🙏Con gratitud y asombro proclamamos el Cántico de Zacarías, la oración que la Iglesia eleva cada mañana en Laudes, recordándonos que el Señor ha visitado y redimido a su pueblo, cumpliendo fielmente sus promesas.https://youtube.com/shorts/JGL2Bf1J4eMEn este tiempo santo de Navidad, contemplamos al Dios que se hace cercano, que ilumina a los que caminan en tinieblas y guía nuestros pasos por el camino de la paz. Que esta oración sea un espacio de descanso, confianza y esperanza ante el misterio de la Encarnación.Les deseo de corazón una Navidad llena de la presencia del Señor, vivida en silencio, gratitud y alegría profunda. Que el Niño Dios fortalezca sus hogares, sane los corazones y renueve la fe de cada uno.Para continuar orando durante este tiempo de Navidad, les invito a acompañarse de estas playlists de oración:• 🌟 Oraciones de la mañana https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAgMosEkChRkeySiNrGDWxF1ikOwPXdiD• 🕯️ Oraciones de la nochehttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAgMosEkChRmgE0msVBu5-i1xfqfM6Ywx&si=SUCmpC2mS2TAKUvq• 🤍 Oraciones por la sanación y paz interiorhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAgMosEkChRletu4xJiB-YisRiNUFpxCn&si=HCd42siVyg6KzsX9• ✝️ Oraciones tradicionales de la Iglesia Católicahttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAgMosEkChRmmPg4q2v8Q1Ta9GuIcwvG2&si=EA1eCRQnjXQGWynDQue María, Madre del Redentor, nos cubra con su manto,y que Cristo, Sol que nace de lo alto,llene sus días de luz y paz.- Una Peregrinita

With this episode, we conclude this advent series of meditations from Divine Intimacy. Over the past episodes, we’ve reflected on themes like sanctity, grace, charity, and living in union with God, each one drawing us closer to Him and encouraging us to pour out His love in the apostolate.

I also invite you to explore my other podcast:

Under Thy Protection, where I share traditional Catholic prayers for inner healing and deliverance. It’s a resource for those seeking comfort, peace, and renewal through the power of prayer.

I hope this podcast has enriched your spiritual life and helped you grow in your appreciation for Divine Intimacy. It’s a treasure you can turn to daily to remain close to God.

Thank you so much for listening, praying, and walking with me on this journey. I’d love to hear from you, what you enjoyed, what you’d like to hear in the future, or simply your reflections. Your feedback is a gift and means so much to me.

For now, let’s keep one another in prayer. May God bless you abundantly and guide you as you continue your journey to holiness. Take care, and until next time!

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

– A Little Pilgrim

Meditation on Guarding the Senses Part I

#InteriorLifeSeries #GuardingTheSenses #ContemplativePrayer #ContemplationAndCastanets

Meditation 21 - Reflections on Divine Intimacy: Seeking God in Activity. This is the fourth and last of a 4-part series on Seeking God (in Faith, in Love, in Others and in Activity)

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. ⁠⁠

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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