Carmelite Conversations
167 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe Carmelite Conversations podcast centers on the teachings of Carmelite Spirituality and their application to our busy modern lives. It 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.
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Episodes
St. Teresa’s Devotion to St. Joseph presented by Chris Cotter, OCDS
October 19, 2019 00:16 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBReflecting on St. Teresa of Avila’s devotion to St. Joseph, we see that it comes from her own personal life experience and intercession with St. Joseph. This reflection is based on an except from St. Teresa’s: “The Book of Her Life.” Join in at the end by praying the Litany to St. Joseph.
Overview of the Life of St. Teresa of Avila presented by Deacon Russell Baldwin, OCDS
October 19, 2019 00:09 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MBRarely do we get an overview of St. Teresa of Avila’s life, since we most frequently focus on specific teachings from her. This is a refreshing overview with a little bit of trivia.
Making Sense of Suffering presented by Colleen Sollinger, OCDS
October 03, 2019 01:26 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MBOur OCDS community had a special celebration for St. Therese on her feast day, Oct. 1st. We had a guest do a presentation on St. Therese. This podcast is that presentation given at St. Peter’s Church in Dayton, OH. Many people have a stereotypical idea that St. Therese, the Little Flower, had it easy growing up and then living in the Carmelite Convent. This presentation clearly lays out many ways that St. Therese suffering and how she dealt with suffering. One ends feeling hopeful that our o...
A Conversation with Michael Vanderburgh from St. Vincent de Paul
October 03, 2019 01:17 - 52 minutes - 72 MBThis conversation is with Michael Vanderburgh, the Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Dayton, Ohio. This may immediately raise the question as to what the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has to do with Carmelite Spirituality. Well, honestly, as the Scripture verse below indicates, we are all called to practice charity to some degree. However, in addition, it turns out that St. Therese of Lisieux's Father, Louis Martin, was a very active member of the St. Vincent de Paul ...
After the Offering with St. Therese of Lisieux
September 18, 2019 16:44 - 51 minutes - 70.7 MBSt. Therese’s famous prayer, “The Act of Oblation to Merciful Love” is rich with spiritual concepts for us to ponder, especially the recognition of our poverty and weakness, yet pulsating desire to console Jesus in every way. Knowing souls were rejecting His love, St. Therese offers herself as a victim of his merciful love so that the love others souls rejected would come to her. She vehemently desires to be a saint but is not the great eagle that they are…so she implores God Himself to be h...
St. Therese of Lisieux: A Willing Victim of Merciful Love
September 18, 2019 16:41 - 51 minutes - 71.4 MBIf you read St. Therese's Act of Oblation to Merciful Love, you will no doubt discover some terminology that might sound a little harsh to the modern ear. Terms like victim, holocaust, and martyr are not words that are cast about lightheartedly these days. But in order to fully appreciate St. Therese's use of these terms in her personal prayer to Jesus Christ, we must also understand what St. Therese is sacrificing or, to use a more familiar term, consecrating herself to. Therese understands...
Carmel and the Evangelical Counsels with Deacon Rusty Baldwin
September 09, 2019 01:53 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBThis is the second episode in a new monthly series of talks by Deacon Rusty Baldwin, a Secular Discalced Carmelite who gives a presentation to our Community in Dayton each month. These are recorded live during our Holy Hours. In this program, Deacon Baldwin discusses Carmel and the Evangelical Counsels.
Thoughts on the Wounds of Love and the Transverberation of the Heart
August 27, 2019 12:03 - 56 minutes - 77 MBAugust 26 is the day the Discalced Carmelite Order celebrates the supernatural grace of the “Transverberation of the Heart” of St. Teresa of Avila. What does that entail? To what purpose can it be associated with? How do you discern this grace? St. Teresa gives us a detailed explanation of the first time she experienced the transverberation of her heart. God has given us a great grace through the incorrupt body of St. Teresa, with an incorrupt heart, which may be seen today in a special...
A Cell of Prayer, the Transverberation, and the Virtues of Mary
August 25, 2019 01:00 - 14 minutes - 20.2 MBPrayer is to the soul what air is to the lungs. If we don’t pray, we die spiritually. St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, a Discalced Carmelite Mystic, talked about how we can be a “cell for Jesus” and how Jesus wants to come to you. In the depths of prayer, the Lord sometimes grants supernatural graces, which leads us to the deep prayer of 3 great Carmelites: St. John of the Cross, St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, and St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila). One great grace that both St. Mary of Jesus Cruci...
Short Take on St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, the Little Arab
August 25, 2019 00:59 - 16 minutes - 22.3 MBRecently canonized, St. Mary of Jesus Crucified is a Discalced Carmelite nun and mystic who received incredible supernatural charismatic gifts from God for the Church. She is like the “Padre Pio” of the Carmelite world. This conversation touches briefly on some highlights of her life and on some of her gifts. Her famous prayer to the Holy Spirit is also prayed on this podcast. We quote St. Mary of Jesus Crucified on her “Prayer in Time of Desolation.” When we suffer temptations of desola...
The Act of Oblation to Merciful Love of St. Therese of Lisieux
August 21, 2019 00:36 - 51 minutes - 71 MBIf you are looking for a deeper understanding of the nature of the Lord's call to all baptized souls, and you want to discover the depth of commitment and devotion to which a soul can be carried, then you will want to listen to this series. Mark and Frances present here a Catechism on St. Therese of Lisieux's Act of Oblation to Merciful Love. It is the Saint's formal written expression and promise of abandonment to Jesus Christ. The conversation begins by laying the groundwork for the benefi...
Consummation of Love: From the Depths to the Heights
August 20, 2019 20:59 - 54 minutes - 75.4 MBContinuing with the series on the life of the Discalced Carmelite mystic, St. Teresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this program delves into the depths of aridity that caused this Saint to view her religious duties and devotions with repugnance; yet, because of her insatiable desire to love God, she obediently continues with the utmost charity for the other nuns, who never had any inkling of the depths of aridity, darkness, and coldness the Lord permitted her to go through. The...
Battling Scrupulosity and Aridity in the Dark Night: What the Experience of St. Teresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart Can Teach us
August 08, 2019 00:06 - 51 minutes - 71 MBIn this conversation, the battle of scrupulosity and aridity in the Dark Night of St. Teresa Margaret are examined. What is it like to be in the midst of these battles? What is the cause of scrupulosity and aridity? What are some good counsels and strategies we can use to overcome these trials? How does God uses these battles to purify and perfect us? What virtues are most needed?
The Lord Thy God is a Consuming Fire: St. Teresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Dark Night of the Spirit
August 07, 2019 23:57 - 53 minutes - 73.5 MBAfter the great grace of “Deus Caritas Est/God is Love,” the Discalced Carmelite St. Teresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart of Jesus enters a stage of marked passivity in which God is purifying her soul. This stage is referred to as the Dark Night of the Spirit and falls in the 6thMansion of the Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila. How does this purification through the dark rays of contemplation occur? Why is it so painful? St. John of the Cross uses the analogy of the log of wood ...
More to Learn about Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace
July 28, 2019 01:04 - 49 minutes - 67.6 MBAn important Marian celebration associated with the Order of Discalced Carmelites is the Memorial of ”Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace,” celebrated on July 23. What connection does this title have to “Our Lady of Mt. Carmel?” What other connections are present? How is it important for all of us? What is “grace” and what kinds of grace are available to us? How do we obtain more grace? What unique role does the Blessed Mother play? What application does that have to the beginning words ...
Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, "Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will"
July 20, 2019 19:58 - 48 minutes - 66.8 MBWhat exactly is required of us in the spiritual journey? How do we make progress? What disposition of heart is necessary for us to be drawn into the heart of the Lord? These are important questions. If we are truly seeking the Lord and we genuinely desire to be transformed into the persons we were created to be, then these are questions we need to explore for ourselves. It is always nice, however, to have a picture, to learn from the experience of someone else who may have already traveled d...
The Glories of St. Joseph with Frances Harry
July 15, 2019 00:53 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBAfter the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph was the greatest Saint ever! In pondering the “glories” of St. Joseph, we are made aware of how God prepared him and used him for the lofty mission of being the Spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. In this “live” presentation given to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Dayton, OH at their general meeting, Frances pinpoints a few of the “glories” of St. Joseph from the beginning to the end of his life. These will surely help the l...
The Use of God’s Gifts with Deacon Rusty Baldwin
July 15, 2019 00:41 - 8 minutes - 11.9 MBWe are beginning a new monthly series of talks by Deacon Rusty Baldwin, a Secular Discalced Carmelite who gives a presentation to our Community in Dayton each month. These are recorded live during our Holy Hours. In this program, Deacon Baldwin compares the God-given gifts we have to flowers in a spiritual bouquet. How are we using our gifts? What does St. Therese, the little flower, say about our gifts?
Deus Caritas est
July 12, 2019 00:13 - 50 minutes - 69.3 MBIt is often convenient for us to imagine that the Saints all had a continuing series of mystical experiences throughout their lives. It is believed then, that these experiences are what drew them to holiness, complete transformation and ultimately union with Christ. It is simply easier for many of us to imagine that the Saints were just special people, and by consequence, we could not really be expected to be raised to their degree of holiness. However, in the case of the young Saint from Fl...
St. Teresa Margaret and the Practice of the Presence of God
July 03, 2019 09:37 - 52 minutes - 71.6 MBOne 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, though certainly He is all around us as well as in us, and we should take great comfort in this reality. Beyond this, however, we should recognize that the real challenge of the practice of the presence of God, is for us to make ourselves present to Him. It is for us to be continually aware that He i...
For the Return of the Prodigal Catholic
June 29, 2019 00:44 - 1 hour - 93.4 MBDo you have a loved one who was raised Catholic and is no longer practicing their faith? Do you wish there was something you could do to help bring them “home?” Carmelite Conversations host, Frances Harry, interviews Teresa Gooding, a Secular Order Discalced Carmelite, on the “St. Monica Ministry” that she was inspired to introduce to her parish, in Beavercreek, OH. What is the St. Monica Ministry? Here is the answer as quoted from the book, St. Monica Ministry, by Dr. Jack Buchner: “The St....
St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and making our lives a Sacrifice to the Lord (PART 3)
June 26, 2019 09:41 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBAt some point in our individual spiritual journey, most of us will decide to make a more formal, firm and specific commitment to the Lord. It may be, like many Saints, that we will choose to write out our commitment, or our oblation. This is exactly what St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus chose to do. She even went so far, with the approval of her spiritual director, to write out her oblation in her own blood. In looking at Teresa Margaret's own words, and more importantly, the...
Preparing to Receive Jesus in the Eucharist
June 22, 2019 21:10 - 36 minutes - 50.4 MBn honor of the upcoming feast day of Corpus Christi Sunday, Frances pulls together thoughts and teachings on how to improve one’s preparation for the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist. Many approach Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in a routine way. This is so sad! Let’s get fired up and ignite the fire of divine love by considering what some of our Carmelites and others say in their own love of Jesus in the Eucharist. We need to refine our thoughts, feelings, affections and attitudes as we ...
St. Teresa Margaret's Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (PART 2)
June 20, 2019 00:10 - 51 minutes - 70.6 MBFollowing her entry into Carmel, at the young age of 17, the future St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, committed herself unflinchingly to two great Carmelite practices for those who aspire to holiness. In this program, Mark and Frances discuss how these ascetical (which in the Greek means exercise) contributed to Teresa Margaret being raised to such a high degree of union with the Lord in such a brief period of time - only five years in her case. These practices, or exercises ...
St. Teresa Margaret: The forgotten Saint of Carmel's Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (PART 1)
June 20, 2019 00:07 - 52 minutes - 72.6 MBSaint Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart is known as the forgotten Saint of Carmel. This is unfortunate as she has much to offer all of us in our spiritual journey. As sometimes happens when we read the lives of the saints, we can be put off by what we perceive to have been special graces or benefits they were granted by God. And we can become discouraged that we could never hope to attain to their degree of holiness. St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart will not leave us with this impre...
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 07, 2019 18:54 - 46 minutes - 64.3 MBJune is the month the Church dedicates to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is a very rich and powerful devotion, and one all Catholics should take the time to learn more about. In this conversation, Mark and Frances discuss the importance of devotion to the Sacred Heart and how it can serve as an avenue into deeper union with God. The discussion begins by discussing the image of the narrow door, found in Luke 13:24 (also in Matthew 7 where it is referred to as a gate). Then Mark and Frances e...
Tribute to St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi for her Feast Day
May 24, 2019 20:41 - 29 minutes - 40.6 MBCarmel is privileged to have the “Refulgent Flower of Florence, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi” as a beacon of light of the love of God. Though she was a mystic and stigmatic with many extraordinary supernatural gifts, it was her love of God and purity of soul that were the primary impetus for her canonization. What was her motto? What were her dying words? What connection did she have with other “Flowers of Florence?” These questions are answered as well as a sampling of some of her quotes...
A Journey to the Deep Interior of the Soul (part 2)
April 18, 2019 19:33 - 1 hour - 97.6 MBBuilding upon last week’s conversation and using the spiritual navigational tools of 1) rest on the bosom of Jesus/in His Heart/in adoration; 2) embrace Jesus in the night via night vigils; 3) silence the faculties of the soul and listen interiorly to the Lord, Mark and Frances share a perspective on the actions of St. Peter during Holy Week and how that applies to the purification of the memory and the advancement of the soul in receiving God’s love. Mark also brings up a movie, called The ...
Short Takes: Holy Week Poems
April 18, 2019 19:27 - 5 minutes - 7.18 MBIn honor of National Poetry Month, and with Holy Week in mind, Frances recites two of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s poems: My Cruicified Love and The Carmelite. Both may be found in the book, Barb of Fire translated by Alan Bancroft, Gracewing Publications. Purcahse the book, Barb of Fire, on Amazon.
A Journey to the Deep Interior of the Soul (part 1)
April 13, 2019 02:50 - 1 hour - 101 MBThe life of contemplation is itself a lifetime journey. Just as with any significant journey, and there is no more important journey then the journey to the interior of our soul, we must make preparations. We must understand the mode of transportation we will use for different parts of the journey, and we have a few means of navigation to ensure we stay on course, or that we are able to find our way back on course if we should become lost. Finally, we must be able to anticipate the obstacles...
Catholic Poetry as a Spiritual Exercise with host Frances Harry, OCDS and Guest, Tim Bete, OCDS
April 03, 2019 22:01 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MBFrances chats with Tim Bete, poet and Secular Carmelite, about the how poetry can increase your faith, its relationship to Scripture and what some of the Carmelite saints said about poetry. Tim is also poetry editor for the Catholic Poetry Room feature at IntegratedCatholicLife.org. Resources Catholic Poetry Room @ IntegratedCatholicLife.org Tim's book, The Raw Still of Heaven at Amazon Some of Tim's poetry recommendations (this is always being updated) The Carmelite Poet & Contemplativ...
The Faith of St. Joseph with host Frances Harry, OCDS and Guest, Marika Zimmerman, OCDS
March 25, 2019 23:26 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MBWhat do we know about St. Joseph from Scripture? What does Scripture tell us about his faith? Guest, Marika Zimmerman, shares about the virtue of faith and the importance of faith as well as applying it to the person of St. Joseph. We also discuss what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about faith and the characteristics of faith. How does the faith of St. Joseph apply to our times today? What can we learn from St. Joseph about faith that will help us now?
A Man of Few Words: the Silence of St. Joseph with hosts Mark Danis, OCDS and Frances Harry, OCDS
March 22, 2019 03:26 - 40 minutes - 55.7 MBWhat were some of the most significant Biblical accounts in St. Joseph’s life? What do these accounts tell us about the silence of St. Joseph? What was the key to St. Joseph’s silent serenity? How does St. Joseph model asceticism and recollection for us today? What are some devotions that we could take up this Lenten season?
Testing and Discerning a Vocation to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites with Guest, Colleen Sollinger, OCDS
January 31, 2017 05:33 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBWho 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 discern the vocation to the OCDS? Guest, Colleen Sollinger, shares 6 distinct elements that, considered in totality, paint a good picture of a soul who is called to the Order of the Discalced Carmelite Seculars. Having been a formation facilitator for her community, she speaks from experience as well as from the gu...
Fifteen Days of Prayer with Blessed Fr. Marie-Eugene and the Child Jesus (part 2)
January 24, 2017 00:27 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this second part of the two part series titled, 'Fifteen Days of Prayer with Blessed Fr. Marie-Eugene and the Child Jesus,' Mark and Frances explore more deeply the need for each of us, as we begin to make more progress in prayer, to begin to dispose ourselves more completely to the Lord's will. Our entire lives must become a total self-giving in exactly the same way as Christ gave Himself to His Father's will. This of course requires a great deal of confidence in God's faithfulness to Hi...
The Epiphany and Conversion of Sally Read
January 10, 2017 00:51 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBMark and Frances chat with Sally Read, author of the book, Night's Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story. Sally was staunchly atheist yet converted to Catholicism in the space of only nine months. In 2010, she was heralded as one of the bright young writers of the British poetry scene. Feminist and deeply anti-Catholic, she was writing a book about female sexuality when, during her research, she spoke with a Catholic priest. The interview led her on a dramatic spiritual quest that ended...
The Christmas Grace and Epiphany of St. Therese of Lisieux
January 03, 2017 04:20 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBSt. 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 Christmas Conversion. We go into a great deal of in-depth discussion about this moment. What was the conversion all about? When did it occur? How did St. Therese describe this event about the “magic shoes” at Christmas? In what way can we peer into her mindset at this pivotal time? What were some of t...
The Signs, Saints, and Silences of Advent—to Help Us Grow Spiritually Guest: Colleen Sollinger, OCDS
December 13, 2016 04:48 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBHave you ever had the experience of arriving at Christmas and suddenly get this sinking feeling that you have hardly done anything to grow spiritually during the Advent season? Colleen Sollinger, our guest on Carmelite Conversation, helps us with some ideas on various ways we may prepare our hearts and souls for the Incarnation of Christ. What do the signs used in Advent mean and how might they help us? Have you ever considered asking a Saint or Advent figure to accompany you thru the season...
True Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a Message for Christmas 2016
December 06, 2016 05:51 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MBIt is always important for each of us to take deliberate steps to make the most of our preparation for the Advent Season. In this particular conversation, Mark and Frances present an interesting idea of one way we can begin and continue that preparation. Drawing from previous conversations on the prayer of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, they reemphasize the request of Elizabeth to have the Holy Spirit bring about within her another incarnation of the Word. This very prayer of course evokes th...
Interview of Co-Host Mark Danis on a Week with the Friars…in Preparation for Advent
November 29, 2016 01:43 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBTaking time off from our regular routine and getting away to specifically ponder and pray features prominently in growing in the interior life of the spiritual journey. The Advent season is a perfect time for all to detach from the world and focus on the life of Christ in our soul. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen said “The Spirit of the Advent liturgy, commemorating the age-long expectation of the Redeemer, will prepare us to celebrate the mystery of the Word made flesh by arousing in each ...
Praying the Rosary
November 22, 2016 03:18 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBMany Catholics, even very faithful Catholics, have simply fallen away from the practice of praying the Rosary. This is indeed an unfortunate set of circumstances. Many of the Church's greatest Saints have consistently reminded us of the importance of the Rosary especially its use as a strong defense and even a spiritual weapon against the demons and their assaults. In this conversation Mark and Frances reexamine the importance of the Rosary as they look at it through the eyes and the words o...
Introduction to Pere Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus, OCD
November 15, 2016 03:02 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBComing up Nov. 19, 2016, Pere Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus, OCD (born Henri Grialou), will be beatified. Many Carmelites and those interested in Prayer and Carmelite Spirituality, will recognize his name from some of the prominent books he authored. Who is this Friar? What is he know for? How can he help us today on our spiritual journey? What was his testament? What is our responsibility? How can he help us grow in our bond with God? What did he say about the Holy Spirit? He challenges u...
Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity and our Incarnation in Christ
November 08, 2016 06:28 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBOne of the most profound and important teachings of the New Testament is our need to, as St. Paul says, "Put On Christ." We must actually allow Christ to both continue to live His life through us, and renew His mystery of salvation for those come in contact with throughout our lives. Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, The Order of Carmel's newest Saint, was particularly taken by this teaching and made it one of the central themes of her famous "Prayer to the Trinity." Of course she drew much of...
Lessons from St. Therese of Lisieux on Death and Dying
November 02, 2016 00:35 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBAs we approach All Saints Day and All Souls Day, our thoughts turn to the topic of “Death & Dying.” Many people try to avoid thinking about that topic, as it brings on feelings of anxiety…or gloom…or fear. The fact of the matter is, we gain much wisdom by pondering death during our life. As the old saying goes: “The art of living well is in knowing how to die well.” What is death? How does one prepare for death? How do we confront our fear of death? St. Therese of Lisieux was confronted with...
Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity: Beginning the Journey of Sainthood
October 18, 2016 00:41 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBIt is not everyday that we get a new Carmelite Saint, but it happened again on 16 October of 2016 when the Church Canonized Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this conversation Mark and Frances discuss the importance of St. Elizabeth's Canonization, her primary message of Silence, Solitude and Prayer, and what this message might mean for the Church and the world at this time in history. It is always helpful to place a Saint in the context of both their individual experiences in life, and als...
Intimate Friendship with Jesus Christ—from the Perspective of St. Teresa of Avila
October 11, 2016 01:19 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBIt was through the lens of intimate friendship with Jesus Christ that the many foundations of St. Teresa of Jesus (of Avila) were begun. In her book, “The Way of Perfection,” she wrote: “All my longing was and still is that since He {Jesus} has so many enemies and so few friends that these few friends be good ones. As a result, I resolved to do the little that was in my power; that is, to follow the evangelical counsels as perfectly as I could and strive that these few persons who live here ...
Joy in Suffering
October 04, 2016 09:29 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBThere is perhaps no greater challenge for those of us who are pursuing the spiritual life then that apparent dichotomy of pain and joy. St. Paul tells us that we must, like him, be a person of joy, and in fact, we should expect to experience joy even in our most difficult times. In this compelling conversation on the top of suffering and joy, Mark and Frances share some insights from one of the most well known and popular Saints of the 20th Century, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In her jour...
The Sign of the Cross
September 27, 2016 01:18 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBThink about one of the most common acts you perform every day as a Christian, the Sign of the Cross. Now ask yourself whether you truly understand the meaning of this sacramental act, or what it signifies to us Christians. In this program Mark and Frances begin by providing a history of the development of Sign of the Cross. Next they discuss the three most significant meanings expressed within this sign. Much of the material for this conversation is taken from a book written by Saint Francis...
Beginning Eucharistic Adoration with Guests: Teresa Gooding and Marika Zimmerman
September 19, 2016 23:07 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBWhat can you do to fight the suffocating plague of indifference and immorality? Eucharist Adoration!! Guests Teresa Gooding and Marika Zimmerman share the details on how to get started. What is Eucharistic Adoration and how does one go about doing this? What if your parish doesn’t have Eucharistic Adoration? How would you go about setting it up? What do the Popes say about spending time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament? What did some of our Carmelite Saints think about it? There are ma...
Purity of Heart: a Spiritual Perspective
August 29, 2016 23:46 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBWe so often hear the phrase, ‘Purity of Heart’ but what does this actually mean. More importantly, what does it mean in a spiritual context. Many people rightly believe the definition includes such characteristics as keeping our thoughts pure or keeping our bodies chaste, and this is certainly true, but neither of these elements go far enough. According to the Danish philosopher, Soren Kiergegaard, in a book by this very title, “Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing.” Scripture would seem to ...