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.

A localized way to celebrate St. Teresa Benedicta/Edith Stein’s feast on this Province Blog during the 80th anniversary year of her passing into eternal life would be to express thanks for the person who translated the story of Edith’s early years for us into English, Life in a Jewish Family: Sister Josephine Koeppel.

Happy feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel! In the Gospel for today's feast, Mary gives us the key to transforming the suffering in our lives into love.

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.

Today Carmelites welcome a new saint as Pope Francis canonizes Blessed Titus Brandsma at Saint Peter's in Rome.

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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.

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.

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.