Carmelite Conversations
Carmelite Conversations
Carmelite Conversations
Carmelite Conversations
Carmelite Conversations
Carmelite Conversations

About

The Carmelite Conversations podcast discusses Carmelite Spirituality and its application to our busy, modern lives. The podcast provides counsel on how to live the Carmelite call to combine contemplative prayer with service to the Church, while at the same time providing guidance on how to make progress in holiness. Carmelite Conversations is of particular interest to Secular Carmelites as it is produced by the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Community of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Dayton, Ohio.

Episodes

  • Interior Castle (part 4): Third Dwelling Place; Pioneer or Settler?
    In reference to the third dwelling place/mansion, St. Teresa of Avila tells us that she believes “that through the goodness of God there are many of these souls in the world.” Of course, that was in the late 1500s. The souls here are good practicing ...
  • The extraordinary--but ordinary--life of St. Joseph
    In the month of March, the Church celebrates the feast of the great St. Joseph, Patron Saint of the Universal Church. He is also the Protector of the Discalced Carmelite Order. So often, one might think our Saints are so far above us in holiness tha...
  • Interior Castle (part 3): Second dwelling place, the seed is germinating, the battle intensifies
    The Second Dwelling Place or Mansion pertains to souls who have already begun to practice prayer and have heard the calls of the Lord. Hence, the seed planted in the first mansion is now starting to germinate and sprout roots. The temptations are g...
  • “Nada, Nada, Nada” of St. John of the Cross
    When a Carmelite hears the word, “Nada,” they automatically think of the great Discalced Carmelite Doctor of Love, St. John of the Cross. What does that word mean? Why is this word so deeply associated with St. John of the Cross? Is this a harsh c...
  • Faith Is not a zero-sum game, with Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS
    What is this journey of faith? What are some of the misconceptions people have about this journey of faith? What will inspire us on this journey? Deacon Mark Danis details for us what is of immense value to us beyond the purification and healing of ...
  • Lenten thoughts & resources for 2023
    This reflection is focused on the “why” of Lent. Why fast? Why pray? Why give alms? Why does the Church tell us to do these 3 things? Where does this come from? How do these 3 tactics form a strategic battle plan to conquer sin in our lives? How ...
  • Interior Castle (part 2): Image of the Soul in the First Dwelling Place
    Guest, Theresa Rittenhouse, OCDS, joins host Frances Harry in a Carmelite Converstion on the first dwelling place/mansion of St. Teresa of Avila’s classic masterpiece, “The Interior Castle.” We cover some of her wonderful images of the soul and also ...
  • St. Therese’s Influence on a Priest’s Vocation
    What a joy it is to hear how a Saint has particularly influenced someone! Today’s Carmelite Conversation details how St. Therese of Lisieux helped a priest in his vocation. Host, Frances Harry, OCDS, interviews Fr. Robert Hale, who was recently ord...
  • A Soul of Silence: Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity
    Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS, shares reflections about the short book, A Soul of Silence: Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity. The book, which was published in 1949, was written by a Carmelite nun, Mother Mary Amabel of the Heart of Jesus, and translated fro...
  • Interior Castle (part 1): The Our Father Prayer
    St. Teresa of Avila, in her classic masterpiece, The Interior Castle, teaches us how to become more intimate with God by journeying through the seven mansions/dwelling places of this interior castle of our soul. A great way to identity each of these...
  • Replay: St. Teresa Margaret and the Practice of the Presence of God
    This episode is a replay of a popular episode from 2019. One of the single most important disciplines we can adopt is the continual practice of the presence of God in our lives. This practice is not achieved by simply thinking about God be everywhere...
  • Christ Made Manifest (Epiphany)
    This homily by Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, was given during Evening Prayer for the Dayton Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites on Feast of the Epiphany in Jan 2023. Many interesting aspects of Epiphany are brought to our attention that one may not h...
  • Rejoice and Be Light (Homily by Fr. John MacQuarrie)
    It was during the Advent season when the Dayton OCDS Community gathered together for the Rite of Making the Promise/Vows. The Spiritual Assistant of the community, Fr. John MacQuarrie, delivered a homily touching on many Carmelite themes. Since this ...
  • Replay: The Christmas Grace and Epiphany of St. Therese of Lisieux
    This episode is a replay of a popular episode from 2017. St. Therese of Lisieux is a Giant Soul among the Saints being one of the Doctors of the Church. On this her birthday (Jan 2), Guest Marika Zimmerman and Host Frances Harry talk about her famous...
  • “God, Be Yourself My Sanctity.” (Part 2)
    In this presentation, Frances Harry, OCDS, speculates on what it looks like when God is our sanctity, especially as seen in the life and words of St. Therese of Lisieux. It follows from part one of the same title which discussed this phrase which wa...
  • “God, Be Yourself My Sanctity” (Part 1)
    Frances Harry, OCDS, discusses, “God, Be Yourself My Sanctity," a phrase used by St. Therese of Lisieux in her famous prayer, “The Act of Oblation to Merciful Love,” found in her book, “Story of a Soul.” What does St. Therese really mean in this par...
  • The Beatitudes Connection to the Ten Commandments (and Carmel)
    Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, shares a homily about the Beatitudes connection to the Ten Commandments. To help us grow in love of God and neighbor, the Lord has given us the Ten Commandments as well as the Beatitudes. They are a sure guide to Christia...
  • A Model for Parents: Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin
    Tim Bete, OCDS, interviews Annette Goulden, OCDS, about her book, Rooted in Love: Louis and Zélie Martin: Models of Married Love, Family Life, and Everyday Holiness. From the publisher: When Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin were canonized in 2015, they we...
  • Replay: Testing and Discerning a Vocation to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites with Guest, Colleen Sollinger, OCDS
    This episode is a repeat one of our most-popular program from 2017. Who is called to be a Secular Discalced Carmelite? How do you distinguish between those who are called and those who are not called? What are some principles that you can use to di...
  • An Analogy of Spiritual Childhood and a Reflection on the Rosary, with Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS
    Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS, gives us an analogy of Spiritual Childhood of St. Therese of Lisieux. He offers us an analogy that we can quickly identify with that will help us go deeper into understanding St. Therese’s great leap of faith into God. This...