This season of CarmelCast we'll be exploring the life and teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. In this episode, Br. Pier Giorgio, Fr. Michael-Joseph, and Br. John-Mary discuss the family of St. Thérèse.

This season of CarmelCast we'll be exploring the life and teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. In this episode, Br. Pier Giorgio, Fr. Michael-Joseph, and Br. John-Mary discuss the early childhood of St. Thérèse found in chapters I-III of Story of a Soul.

One of the things that always struck me about Blessed Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus was his deep freedom to simply be who God wanted him to be and not to conform himself to other models, no matter how holy they may have seemed. This fidelity to the personal grace God had given him was the key to his life and sanctity.

Christmastide was a significant time of year for our Carmelite—Philosopher saint since she was baptized a Catholic on January 1, 1922, octave day of Christmas.

Advent is the Carmelite season; it speaks so much to who we are...

Each November we celebrate the Feast of All Carmelite Saints and the Commemoration of All Carmelite Souls. During these days we remember and pray for the Carmelites who have passed away, who by living out their vocations faithfully day in and day out have made a significant, though hidden, impact on the world. In this episode, several friars recall the memories of deceased friars who have made specific imprints on their lives.

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity is the most recently canonized Carmelite saint. This vivacious young French woman, marked with profound spiritual depth, entered Carmel at age 21 and died a short five years later. Her life and writings speak of the powerful mystery of God dwelling within our souls. In this episode, Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse is joined by Br. Joseph of the Holy Family to discuss St. Elizabeth's spiritual insights about this Divine Indwelling.

St. Teresa Benedicta is one of the least understood Carmelite saints. Her complex philosophical writings can overwhelm and intimidate those untrained in phenomenology. But as a convert to the Catholic faith, prominent female speaker, Carmelite nun, and Auschwitz martyr, her inspirational life has something to say to us all. In this episode, Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse is joined by Br. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King to demystify St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

St. John of the Cross is a spiritual master and Doctor of the Church. His image of the Dark Night has captivated the imaginations of Christians throughout the centuries. He shows us that darkness and suffering, when endured with love, has meaning and will transform us into saints. In this episode, Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse is joined by Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified to discuss St. John's teaching on the Dark Night.

St. Teresa of Avila is the foundress of the Discalced Carmelites and the first female doctor of the Church. Her teaching on prayer is a guiding light for all Christians. In this episode, Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse is joined by Br. Emmanuel of the Mother of Mercy to discuss St. Teresa's insistence on the centrality of Christ in the spiritual life.

The brown scapular is a widespread devotion in the Church. It is a sign of the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and a participation in the graces she promised to the Carmelite Order. In this episode, Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse is joined by Br. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King who unpacks the history and theology behind this powerful sacramental.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, The Little Flower, was called "the greatest saint of modern times" by Pope Saint Piux X. Her "Little Way" has touched the lives of millions throughout the last century. In this episode, Fr. Michael-Joseph of St. Thérèse is joined by Fr. Michael of the Heart of Jesus who unpacks the spirituality and teaching of St. Thérèse and shows how she lived this "Little Way" in her own life.

In the writings of the Carmelite saints, we read of the great fast, which has been kept in Carmelite monasteries for centuries. It always begins today, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and ends with the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord on Easter. However, beyond merely the beginning of a period of penance, or a curbing of eating for winter, this holy feast has held special significance for our saints.

OUR Lady, was the one welcomed from our beginnings onward as the protector of those who harken back to the Wadi on Carmel. She is all we could wish to have as patron and promotor of our ongoing life as an Order.

What is Carmelite life? One possible definition comes from the formula of profession for the Discalced Carmelite Friars: life with Mary in allegiance to Jesus Christ. Our Lady plays a central role in the life of a Carmelite. The official name of the order puts Mary at the center: the Discalced Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The following is a reflection from The Cenacle, a collection of fifty meditations on the Holy Spirit written by Fr. John Mary of St. Joseph, OCD circa 1696 and traditionally used by Discalced Carmelites as a preparatory retreat for Pentecost.

Today is the feast day of Saint Simon Stock, a figure whose history is shrouded in mystery and legend. The late Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh helps us to sift through all the uncertainty to find the rich spiritual significance of Saint Simon Stock's reception of the scapular promise from the Our Lady.

Our lives are often clouded with anxiety, frustration, and shame. Despite these difficulties, the saints were able to surrender to God's will and abandon themselves into His loving arms. Like them, we must accept the words of Jesus, "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27). But how? In this episode, we explore the themes of trust and surrender under the guidance of Saint Thérèse and the other Carmelite saints.

Asceticism is a necessary part of the spiritual life. Saints John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila espouse an absolute asceticism of complete detachment and relentless mortification. This zealous ideal can seem daunting if removed from the ultimate goal of their ascetical practices: love of God and neighbor. In this episode, we discuss the practice of asceticism and its important place in the Carmelite tradition.

Anyone committed to a life of prayer will face the difficulties of distractions and aridity at different times. These experiences can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. However, even the greatest saints faced these same trials in prayer, and they show us that they are actually opportunities for growth in our relationship with God. In this episode, we examine the experiences of distraction and aridity in our times of prayer based on the teachings of the Carmelite masters.