We know from St. Teresa that new beginnings and new commands come with graces from God. After all, hers is a spirituality of getting started.

In this episode of CarmelCast, we are joined by Fr. Mark O'Keefe, OSB to discuss mystical experiences and spiritual direction in the life of St. Teresa.

In this episode of CarmelCast, we are joined by Fr. Daniel Chowning, OCD to discuss the importance of conversion in the life of St. Teresa and its enduring relevance for our lives today.

In this episode of CarmelCast, we are joined by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD to discuss a period of 18 years in which St. Teresa struggled with physical illness, worldly attachments, and difficulties in prayer.

We're excited to announce a new 7-part season of CarmelCast exploring the life of St. Teresa of Avila, foundress of the Discalced Carmelites and Doctor of the Church.

In this episode of CarmelCast, we sit down with Fr. Mark O'Keefe, OSB who shares St. Teresa of Avila's teaching on prayer, especially concerning the beginnings of more passive forms of prayer.

What should I do during my time of prayer? How do I grow closer to Jesus in that time? In this episode of CarmelCast, we sit down with Fr. Michael Berry, OCD who shares some of St. Teresa of Avila's wisdom concerning prayer, especially her teaching on The Prayer of Recollection.

Pope Francis has named this year, 2024, a year dedicated to prayer. This season of CarmelCast will examine this essential element of the spiritual life to help you go deeper in your prayer. In this episode, we will start at the very beginning by discussing what prayer is and the fundamental virtues necessary to grow in prayer.

In this special series, Fr. Daniel Chowning of the Good Shepherd and Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse discuss the importance of friendship in the life of St. Teresa of Avila, her teaching on spiritual friendship, and how to apply it to our lives today.

The schedule in our monasteries includes an activity called the hour of recreation, in which the community gathers in a common room to talk together. It typically follows the evening hour of mental (silent) prayer, and the two share a lot in common.

With the Order planning to celebrate the Fourth Centenary of our holy mother Saint Teresa's canonization, it is worth pointing out that our monastery in Washington, DC has an iconic reference to that event gracing the walls of one of its parlors. This image shows an artistic tribute to that significant day in Church history:

In the first half of this episode, we discuss what it means to be a part of the Discalced Carmelite family. Then, we have an interview with Fr. Kevin of the Blessed Trinity who has been a friar for over 65 years.

Sometimes I wonder about the Providence that willed that the first foundation of St. Teresa of Jesus would be inaugurated on this feast of St. Bartholomew, a great missionary apostle. One might ask: what business does a contemplative order such as the Discalced Carmel have in having this feast as its inauguration?

For the year of Saint Joseph we wanted to highlight his more contemplative dimension, especially through the lens of St. Teresa of Avila. She discovered the greatness of St. Joseph right here in Ávila and became one of his greatest devotees of all time. She teaches us how he can be a guide for all of us on the path of prayer.

This Lent on CarmelCast we're discussing the spiritual classic The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila. In this episode, we continue our discussion of St. Teresa's commentary on the Our Father, particularly her teaching on temptations in prayer.

This Lent on CarmelCast we're discussing the spiritual classic The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila. In this episode, we continue our discussion of St. Teresa's commentary on the Our Father, particularly her teaching on temptations in prayer.

During this year commemorating the declaration in 1870 of Saint Joseph Patron of the Universal Church many people are revisiting sources of their devotion to the foster father of Jesus. We hear praise for Our Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus for having stirred up practical devotion for Saint Joseph in the “modern” age, that is, in the period of church history that ran between the Middle Ages and our current era.

This Lent on CarmelCast we're discussing the spiritual classic The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila. In this episode, we talk about St. Teresa's method of prayer for those of us who often find it difficult to focus.

This Lent on CarmelCast we're discussing the spiritual classic The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila. In this episode, we talk about how vocal prayer must be joined to mental prayer and how to deal with distractions in prayer.