Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

Centenary to Come, Centenary already Done

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:

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. John of the Cross, Homily Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. John of the Cross, Homily Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

“How is it God Loves Us?”: A Homily for St. John of the Cross

Blessed Solemnity of St. John of the Cross! The following homily was given in Westminster Cathedral (London) to commemorate the 4th centenary of the death of St. John of the Cross. Although it was delivered 30 years ago, its message about the consoling love of God is perhaps one that we need to hear even more so today.

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), CarmelCast Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), CarmelCast Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 41: The Conversion of St. Edith Stein and an Interview with a Family Devoted to Carmel

In the first half of this episode, we discuss the conversion of St. Edith Stein. Then, we have an interview with the Lasnoski family.

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Carmelite Spirituality, Blessed Marie-Eugene, Notre Dame de Vie, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, Blessed Marie-Eugene, Notre Dame de Vie, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 40: Blessed Marie-Eugène and an Interview with a Member of a Secular Institute

In the first half of this episode, we discuss the life and teaching of Blessed Marie-Eugène. Then, we have an interview with Anne-Elisabeth Giuliani, a member of Notre Dame de Vie.

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Carmelite Spirituality, Secular Order Carmelites, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, Secular Order Carmelites, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 39: How to Have a Good Advent and an Interview with a Secular Order Member

In the first half of this episode, we discuss how you can enter more deeply into the very Carmelite season of Advent. Then, we have an interview with Mike Alley, a Secular Order Discalced Carmelite.

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Carmelite Spirituality, Carmelite Sisters, CarmelCast Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, Carmelite Sisters, CarmelCast Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 38: Sin and Discouragement in Prayer and an Interview with a Carmelite Sister

In the first half of this episode, we discuss St. Teresa's approach to avoiding discouragement in prayer in the face of sin. Then, we have an interview with Sister. Regina Marie of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.

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Carmelite Spirituality, Carmelite Nuns, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, Carmelite Nuns, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 37: Prayer as Relationship with Jesus and an Interview with a Carmelite Nun

In the first half of this episode, we discuss how prayer is a relationship with Jesus. Then, we have an interview with Mother Celine of the Eucharist from the Carmelite Monastery in Loretto, PA.

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Carmelite Spirituality, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Video, Español Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Video, Español Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D.

The Carmelite Rosary - El Rosario Carmelita

If you look closely, you might notice that the rosary worn by many Discalced Carmelite friars and nuns is a little different than other rosaries. The main difference is that these rosaries often have six decades, or groups of ten beads, instead of just five decades like the rosary most people carry in their pocket or purse or have hanging in their car. Why this extra decade?

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Reflection Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Reflection Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D.

The Apostolic Dimension of the Teresian Charism

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?

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

The Once Missing then Present Christ of Edith Stein

For Edith Stein the happy ending to a lengthy conversion process came with her baptism on the first day of 1922. This was preceded by her completed reading of the Autobiography of Saint Teresa of Jesus a few months previous in the summer of 1921, one hundred years ago.

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Carmelite Spirituality, The Martyrs of Compiègne, Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, The Martyrs of Compiègne, Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

“They went out Singing”

Carmelites know how 16 nuns of the Compiègne Carmel during the French Revolution sang hymns on their way to their deaths on the guillotine. The Song at the Scaffold by Gertrude von le Fort was a novella that caused interest in their martyrdom at a time when Edith Stein was still alive.

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Carmelite Spirituality, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Video, Español Fr. Michael-Joseph of St Thérèse, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Video, Español Fr. Michael-Joseph of St Thérèse, O.C.D.

Who is Our Lady of Mount Carmel? - ¿Quién es La Virgen del Carmen?

In this video, Fr Michael-Joseph of St Thérèse explains the connection between Mary and the Carmelite tradition. We see what Our Lady of Mount Carmel signifies for the spiritual life of Christians and how they can incorporate this devotion into their daily lives. She is not just for Carmelites, but for all who want to go deeper in the adventure toward union with God. The brown scapular is seen as a great key for this.

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

Edith Stein, Saint Teresa Benedicta Serves the Church

The sabbatical I was granted after service as Provincial that lasted from August 2014 to November 2015 gave me the opportunity to extend my knowledge of Saint Teresa Benedicta (Edith) Stein and to speak about her to several audiences in Europe. The following fruit of those months spent at the Carmelite monastery in Kensington, England is now one way to show my appreciation and to open out on to a fascinating description created for the Vatican.

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Joseph, Video, Español Fr. Michael-Joseph of St Thérèse, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Joseph, Video, Español Fr. Michael-Joseph of St Thérèse, O.C.D.

From Ávila, Spain: St. Joseph give me your silence

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.

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, CarmelCast Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, CarmelCast Fr. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 35: The Way of Perfection - Chapters 37-42

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.

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, CarmelCast Br. John-Mary of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D.

CarmelCast Episode 34: The Way of Perfection - Chapters 32-36

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.

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Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Joseph, Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D. Carmelite Spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Joseph, Spiritual Reflection Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

Saint Joseph, Patriarch and our Protector/Patron

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.

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