Meditations from Carmel
By Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri
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Podcast Description
The short meditations in this podcast come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more. We are hopeful that these reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life!
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CleanThe Place of Splendor | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/4/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanListening in the Dwelling places of the Interior Castle | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 9/16/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanPool of God | There was nothing in the Virgin’s soul that belonged to the Virgin– no word, no thought, no image, no intent. She was a pure, transparent pool reflecting God, only God. She held His burnished day; she held His night of planet-glow or shade inscrutable. God was her sky and she who mirrored Him became His firmament. When I so much as turn my thoughts toward her my spirit is enisled in her repose. And when I gaze into her selfless depths an anguish in me grows to hold such blueness and to hold such fire. I pray to hollow out my earth and be filled with these waters of transparency. I think that one could die of this desire, seeing oneself dry earth or stubborn sod. Oh, to become a pure pool like the Virgin, water that lost the semblances of water and was a sky like God. – Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit (Jessica Powers) | 5/15/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanBeautifying my soul with His teachings… | Beautifying my soul with His teachings… St. Teresa of the Andes Letter # 141 to Amelia Montt Martinez October, 1919 “May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your soul. There are only a few more days left before my taking the habit. And the days seem so long while I wait to be clothes with it. I am the happiest person with my vocation and never tire of thanking God for having brought me to this little corner of heaven. I live for God alone. My soul concern is to know Him that I may love Him more. I have begun the life of heaven here on earth, a life invented and thought of by God through all eternity; a life of love alone and of ceaseless praise. If you could see but for an instant what’s in the soul of this Carmelite postulant, you’d understand the happiness of living always near the tabernacle. Alone with Him in His aloneness, I am there at the chapel grates or in my humble cell. There is nothing between Him and His creature now. I hear His divine voice always. I gaze on always and contemplate His infinite beauty. I feel always the beating of my God’s Heart, begging me for love because He knows that love contains everything; sacrifice and souls. Sister dear, without doubt, as Jesus Himself said to Magdalene, He has chosen for me “the best part.” A Carmelite is to be concerned with her God alone. She’s to live no longer on earth, but in God. She is to move and to work and to breathe far from people, far from earthly things. We are to remember the world but only in order to pray for it and for people but without letting ourselves be influenced by them, without breathing in their impure atmosphere. Jesus has imprisoned me here to unite Himself with me, nothing disturbing this gaze, this vision of this adorable Face of His which one day I shall possess in its fullness there in heaven. I often imagine that I am like a queen; for while others serve the King in the apostolate of action, I, like a queen, am by His side, listening to Him, contemplating Him, praying together with Him, and joining Him in His own suffering. He exchanged His own feelings with my own by divinizing them. He surrounds me with His divine light, beautifying my soul with His teachings.” Letters of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Discalced Carmelite. Translated by Michael D. Grifin, O.C.D Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033. All Rights are Reserved to the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the Washington Province. Copyrighted 1994. | 5/10/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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My Desires | Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart “My desires are infinite. . . I have often made them known: firstly, the salvation of souls, of all the souls now on earth and of those which will exist until the end of the world; then that divine love may reign in every soul; that those consecrated to God, especially priests, may reach the height of sanctity to which their vocation calls them; to obtain baptism for infants; that Purgatory may free its captives and may be closed for ever by souls being taught how to fly straight to heaven on leaving this world; that physical and bodily pain may be consoled, soothed, and to a great extent abolished. Yet these desires, like Saint Teresa’s become very grievous when I reflect that Jesus Himself could not obtain the salvation of all souls, nor make Himself loved by all, nor save them all from the tortures of Purgatory or from Limbo. I am troubled by the profound mystery of God s will being frustrated in His wishes by the contrary designs of His creatures, and I pray: “Father, since this is so, I entreat Thee to grant as far as possible the longings of the Heart of Jesus, for all His desires are mine,” and this brings me peace. This was, for a long time, my only way of hearing Mass. When the sacred Host was up raised after the words of Consecration, I used to say: “Father, behold Thy beloved Son in “Whom Thou has set all Thy pleasure; hear Him!” This “Hear Him!” which expressed all my longings, meant: “Grant all He asks; realize all His desires!” – Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart TIME: 5:30 MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART CARMELITE NUN OF LISIEUX. 1882-1914 ”I am the lowly herald of the “LITTLE QUEEN. With an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916 Authorised translation from the French. | 5/5/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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This is a Beautiful Time | “This is a beautiful time, this last age, the age of the Holy Spirit. This is the long-awaited day of His reign in our souls through grace. He is crying to every soul that is walled: Open to Me, My spouse, My sister. And once inside, He is calling again: Come to Me here in this secret place. Oh, hear Him tonight crying all over the world a last summons of love to a dying race. Acres we are to be gathered for God: He would pour out His measureless morning upon divinized lands, bought by blood, to their Purchaser given. Oh, hear Him within you speaking this infinite love, moving like some divine and audible leaven, lifting the sky of the soul with expansions of light, shaping new heights and new depths, and, at your stir of assent, spreading the mountains with flame, filling the hollows with Heaven.” - Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit (Jessica Powers) The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers Edited by Regina Siegfried and Robert Morneau. ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road, NE Washington, DC 20002-1199 Reprint of the most extensive anthology of this noted Carmelite poet, which she approved five weeks before her death. Includes introduction by Bishop Morneau. | 4/18/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Garments of God | “God sits on a chair of darkness in my soul. He is God alone, supreme in His majesty. I sit at His feet, a child in the dark beside Him; my joy is aware of His glance and my sorrow is tempted to rest on the thought that His face is turned from me He is clothed in the robes of His mercy, voluminous garments - not velvet or silk and affable to the touch, but fabric strong for a frantic hand to clutch. and I hold to it fast with the fingers of my will. Here is my cry of faith, my deep avowal to the Divinity that I am dust. Here is the loud profession of my trust. I need not go abroad to the hills of speech or the hinterlands of music for a crier to walk in my soul where all is still. I have this potent prayer through good or ill: here in the dark I clutch the garments of God.” – Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers Edited by Regina Siegfried and Robert Morneau. ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road, NE Washington, DC 20002-1199 Reprint of the most extensive anthology of this noted Carmelite poet, which she approved five weeks before her death. Includes introduction by Bishop Morneau. | 3/26/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 8 | It is the second to last night of this beautiful outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and it has been an unusually refreshing July Night with cool temperatures in the high 60s! What a blessing for St. Louis!!! The Rev. Mark Chrismer Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart, Valley Park celebrated mass tonight and he was accompanied by the Filipino-American Friendship Choir and their lovely voices. You may Listen to Father's Homily Here. We invite you to Pray along to the Joyful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary and Benediction prayers here. The Rosary is traditionally led by one of our most wonderful Seminarians from Cardinal Glennon College Seminary. You will recognize the voice tonight as seminarian, Charlie Samson. | 3/17/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 7 | The rosary is a very powerful weapon in the fight against Satan said Monsignor Cronin's in his homily on The Blessed Virigin Mary Queen of Peace. He asked us to pray to God through the intercession of our Lady for three favors. First, for the Spirit of Love which binds us together to live as one family in peace. Two, to give us the gifts of Unity and Peace which Christ gave, and only Christ can give, through His death and resurrection. And thirdly, for tranquility. To be able to stand before the forces within and without and to be able to have peace knowing that we are not alone. Our Blessed Mother teaches us that one of the ways to be able to receive peace is through penance. Put simply, through self-denial. By giving ourselves in prayer and uniting ourselves to Christ on His cross. What wonder's can take place if all of us can more perfectly love the Lord, His church and its teaching and our Blessed Mother. What gifts we have as Catholics and how much we need to proclaim them! Monsignor's homily here. You can listen in and pray along to the Rosary and Benediction here. | 3/16/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 6 – THE FEAST DAY! | It was just after the first reading from the Book of Kings where Elijah is upon Mt. Carmel looking for a sign across the ocean on this feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel when the skies upon St. Louis started to change dramatically. As Elijah witnessed a little cloud like a man's hand is rising out of the sea, so did many of the clouds surrounding the Monastery look mysterious. Never fearful Our Lady's children were wrapped safely under her mantle and as the thunder sounded and the lightning flashed, never a drop of rain fell upon her feast day outdoor mass celebration. How awesome it was to have Father Daniel Chowning, OCD from the Discalced Carmelite Hermit Community in Hinton, West Virginia here for Our Lady's feast. He spoke in his homily about the beauty of Our Lady noting that wherever there is beauty there is God. "Mary is resplendent with Heavenly beauty because God dwelt within her and from her womb came Jesus Christ," he said. He then explained how when St. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin Mary on July 16, 1858 which was her last apparition, she said that Mary was more beautiful than ever. And, afterwards she said, "Once you see the beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you want to die to see it again." Father reminds us that prayer, that intimate loving relationship with God who dwells within us and when we open ourselves up to that relationship we are transformed, we come to know that we are loved. And once we know we are loved by God, this creates beauty within us. It also allows us to see the beauty in other people and the beauty of the world around us. Intimate prayer with God allows God to imprint His beauty, and His goodness and His love in us. And, to bring out the beauty and the goodness and the love with which He has created in us. Because He created out of love and for love, woven into the very fibers of our being is an image of the Trinity, a God of love, a God of relationship. Father's homily was so wonderful and you can hear it here (along with some thunder-rumblings!) The Luminous Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary and Benediction service can be heard here. Happy Feast day!!! | 3/15/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Back-ache | “I want to describe how the Master has made me find joy in the cross. After my profession, folio wing the advice that had been given me, I hastened to the “bleeding Flower of Calvary ” and plucked it continually with the cross for its stem. This cross was the daily, perpetual mortification of our austere life: austere indeed for one who refuses nothing to the good God and who is perfectly faithful to the Rule and duty. I no longer sought for imaginary crosses and dreamt of them no more, and as I received each day the grace to bear my daily cross, I carried it cheerfully, finding by experience that the first step is the hardest, and that the generous acceptance of a light cross brings with it a deep peace which gives strength for greater and harder mortifications. Fasting tried me very much, I found it very hard to work in the morning on fast-days, as I was obliged to do for several years while I had sole charge of the refectory and swept and dusted it. The weight of the Breviary at Matins gave me a back-ache which was so increased by the weight of our mantle on feast days that as a rule, my prayer only consisted in offering to God my poor back, which occupied all my thoughts. When, later on, I was forbidden to perform the penance of the Rule in such matters as fasting, want of sleep, and other things, illness supplied their place. I was very glad, as, had it been left to me, I should have preferred, except in certain moments of temptation, to take no care of my health and to keep my Rule exactly.” MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART CARMELITE NUN OF LISIEUX. 1882-1914 ”I am the lowly herald of the “LITTLE QUEEN. With an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916 Authorised translation from the French. | 2/8/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Mother Isabel of the Sacred Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Giddy Depths | "Our Teresa preferred love to all the other divine attributes; to her, love was seen in all the rest of God s perfections. I feel sure that she meant by this, that Love, if I may venture to say so, is more than a divine attribute: Love is God Himself, since Saint John said "God is love". Therefore, if God and Love are one, it is not difficult to prove that we can expect nothing from God but gentleness, affection, mercy, devotion, kindness, and compassion; we may feel sure that we have naught to fear from His severity or His justice unless we commit the sin against the Holy Ghost which cannot be forgiven, and that sin is to despise and reject Love. The faithful children of God should never harbour a dread of divine chastisement and judgment, which are only meant for those who are His enemies. After all these beautiful thoughts, I am as weak and as miserable as possible; I lament about nothing and almost fall into despair about some trifle, which convinces me that the light comes from above and that if the Saviour abandoned me for an instant I should sink into vice and be lost eternally. When I feel on the edge of the abyss and dread lest I should become dizzy, I say the prayer of Blessed Margaret-Mary: "O loving Heart! I put all my trust in Thee for I fear all from my weakness, but I hope all from Thy mercy! and after this act of confidence I am completely reassured." MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART Carmelite Nun of Lisieux. 1882-1914 Book written from a circular letter sent to Carmelite convents on her death. Authorised translation from the French, with an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916. | 1/10/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Giddy Depths | Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Giddy Depths “For some days, I have under gone a singular trial during which my will, calm and at peace, has witnessed a violent onslaught delivered against my soul by the demon of pride. It reminded me of the war between the good and bad angels: an accursed voice exclaimed within my heart I would rather possess nothing than possess all from God: rather would I be annihilated than receive beatitude and eternal glory as an alms- given out of compassion. I clung by my will close to Him I loved, anxiously awaiting the end of the battle without feeling the blows, resisting without effort; indeed I even smiled at the furious attack, anticipating that it was the fore-runner of great graces, in which hope I was not mistaken. In a short time I found myself united to God in a way new to me and the words of our Lord to Saint Teresa when He raised her to the spiritual nuptials perpetually reocurred to me: “Show zeal for My honour like a true bride.” A zeal for souls and a longing to spend myself for my divine Bridegroom consumed my heart. During prayer on the evening of the third day I entered the interior of my soul, and seemed to descend into the giddy depths of an abyss where I had the impression of being surrounded by limitless space. Then I felt the presence of the Blessed Trinity, realizing my own nothingness, which I understood better than ever before, and the knowledge was very sweet. The divine Immensity in which I was plunged and which filled me had the same sweetness. My joy at seeing my own nothingness equaled my indignation at it during those three days. This grace gradually grew weaker, but lasted for a long while. For many months I never opened a book during prayer; it was enough for me to descent into the abyss. My soul resembled a tiny shell floating peaceful and solitary upon a shoreless ocean. What a joy it was! Now I often say to myself; “let me descend!” but the scene is changed: I can not longer find the deep abyss nor the infinite space around me – “The good God has come to the surface.” TIME: 7:00 Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart, Carmelite Nun of Lisiuex 1882-1914 “I am the lowly herald of the LITTLE QUEEN” With an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916. Authorised translation from the French | 12/20/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blessed Mary of the Angels - How we are to attract Jesus to our souls. | Preparation for the Feast of Christmas Pious Reflections and Affections I How we are to attract Jesus to our souls. “Purity is so pleasing to God that His Divine Son, having resolved to become man by the operation of the Holy Ghost, wished to be born of a Virgin Mother. We all know with what an abundance of graces and with what extraordinary purity God was pleased to adorn the body and soul of Mary, in order to make of her a dwelling worthy of the Word who was to become flesh in her chaste womb. Hence, if we wish to induce the Incarnate God to be born spiritually in our souls, the proper way to do this is to secure purity of conscience for ourselves by banishing from our hearts even the smallest faults and cultivating in them all the virtues. Therefore we should be careful, during these holy days, to mortify our senses by a perfect exterior modesty, in order to obtain interior recollection and also to induce the Divine Child to be bon in our hearts. For this purpose we must take care that our souls be not disturbed by any passion, since at the birth of Jesus peace was proclaimed. In two words, the Incarnate Word is born in the soul which cultivates piety and produces virtues.” Blessed Mary of the Angels was born in Turin, Italy, in 1661, she died, after spending her whole life there, in 1717. In 1675 she entered the Discalced Carmelite Convent of St Christina, and several times filled the offices of Prioress and Novice Mistress. She underwent continual spiritual trials, but was constant in her ardent love of God. She was outstandingly faithful to prayer and particularly devoted to St Joseph, in whose honour a convent was founded through her good offices at Moncalieri." Blesssed Mary of the Angels Discalced Carmelite (1661-1717) A Biography. Rev. G.O’Neill, S.J., M.A. R&T Washbourne, LTD. 1,2 & 4 Paternoster Row, London 1909 | 12/16/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. John of the Crosss | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 12/4/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart | Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Chapter 41 Her life at Carmel. “The light which has filled my soul since I entered the “Little way” has not come from books but from the Holy Ghost, although I have had neither ecstasies nor visions. My prayer time always passed either in dryness and in struggling against distractions, in trying to forget the pains in my stomach, or in keeping my mind at rest in the presence of God Whom I felt within my heart. I think that the latter was a form of prayer of quiet, an obscure contemplation in which, as with our saint, “the Master instructed me without the sound of words.” I felt with delight that He was beautifying my soul. I was like a flower endowed with consciousness and able to love and enjoy the sun which had made it bloom and given it colour. Without seeing anything with the eyes either of the body or the soul I realised that God was present, I felt His gaze bent on me full of gentleness and affection, and that He smiled kindly upon me. I seemed plunged in God. My imagination was submissive and did not act. I did not hear any noise that might be going on around me. My soul looked fixedly into the gaze invisibly bent on me and my heart repeated untiringly “My God, I love Thee!” While reiterating it with obscure but deep joy, I longed that the divine gaze, the spiritual Sun, should cause the virtues to flourish in my soul, and was conscious that my longing was granted and that this profound peace and simple act of love concealed an in comprehensible activity. Sometimes, remembering that our Mother, Saint Teresa, said that when we feel we are so near the King we should make our petitions to Him, I used to plead for souls; but as a rule I did not pause for that, being convinced that to repeat My God, I love Thee! pleased Him better and included all the rest.” TIME 5:00 MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART Carmelite Nun of Lisieux. 1882-1914 Book written from a circular letter sent to Carmelite convents on her death. Authorised translation from the French, with an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916. | 11/17/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blessed Françoise d’Amboise | From the Exhortations of Blessed Frances to her nuns “Whatever the troubles and difficulties that weigh you down, bear them all patiently and keep in mind that these are the things which constitute your cross. Offer your help to the Lord and carry the cross with Him in gladness of heart. There is always something to be endured, and if you refuse one cross, be sure that you will meet with another, and maybe a heavier one. If we trust in God and rely on His help, we shall overcome the allurements of vice. We must never let our efforts flag nor our steps grow weary, but must keep our hearts under steady discipline. Consider the afflictions and great trials which the holy Fathers endured in the desert. And yet the interior trials they suffered were far more intense than the physical penances they inflicted on their own bodies. One who is never tried acquires little virtue. Accept then whatever God wills to send, for any suffering He permits is entirely for our good. Christ assures us in the Gospel, “Who wishes to follow me must deny himself. He must be forgetful of self; he must regard himself as nothing; he must despise himself and desire to be despised by others.” The attitude derives from Our Lord’s command that we are to take up his cross and follow Him. We are to accept sufferings of mind and body for love of Him, just as He bore His sufferings for love of us. It is true that the Jews lifted the cross from our Savior’s shoulders, but this was out of concern lest He die from blows and exhaustion before reaching the place where He was to be crucified. And when they laid the weight on Simon’s shoulders he submitted most unwillingly, even though aware that he was not destined to die on the cross he carried. Christ, by contrast, willingly and gladly carried His cross and died upon it, breathing forth His soul at last into His Father’s hands. Let us follow Him and imitate all He did. You have various afflictions which constitute your cross. Bear them willingly to the very end, when you will finally yield your soul to God. Give Him praise and thanks for calling you to His service. Scorn no-one, for it is God’s will that you love each one of your neighbors as you do those of your own community. Strive to curb all unruly instincts within you. To this end try one remedy today and another tomorrow, so that gradually you will subdue your unruly impulses, and when the Lord sees your good will and your perseverance, He will give you the support of His grace, enabling you to sustain to the end the burdens of religious life. Through His love nothing will be too difficult for you to bear.” | 11/3/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 1 | Novena to St. Teresa of Avila by St. Alphonsus of Liguori ( Pray especially beginning on October 7 and ending on October 15 , the Feast of St. Teresa.) Day 1 O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. 4:00 minutes For the rest of the Novena to St. Teresa of Avila please follow the links below. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 | 10/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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St. Teresa of the Andes - spouse of my soul… | “My Jesus, I love You. I am totally Yours. I give myself completely to Your divine will. Jesus, give me the cross, but give me the strength to carry it. It matter not whether You give me the abandonment of Calvary or the joys of Nazareth. I only want to see You contented. I doesn’t bother me to be unable to feel, to be insensible as a rock, because I know, my sweet Jesus, that You know I love you. Give me the cross. I want to suffer for You, but teach me to suffer by loving, with joy and with humility. Lord, if it please You that the darkness of my soul becomes deeper, that I not see You, it will not bother me because I want to fulfill Your will. I want to spend my life suffering to make reparation for my sins and those of sinners and so priests will be sanctified. I do not want to be happy, but for You to be happy. I want to be like a soldier so that at every moment You can dispose of my will and preferences. I want to be courageous, strong and generous in serving You, Lord. You are the Spouse of my soul. ” Copyright 1989, God the Joy of My Life, translated by Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033 USA | 9/20/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Vocal and Mental Prayer…St. Teresa of Avila | St. Teresa of Avila - The Way of Perfection Chapter 24 “Now then, let us speak again to those souls I mentioned that cannot recollect or tie their minds down in mental prayer or engage in reflection. As a matter of fact there are many persons seemingly terrified by the mere term “mental prayer” or “contemplation,” for as I have also said, not everyone walks by the same path. Well, what I now want to counsel you about (I can even say teach you, because as a Mother, having the office of prioress, I am allowed to teach) is how you must prayer vocally, for it’s only right that you should understand what you’re saying. And because it can happen that those who are unable to think about God may also find long prayers tiring, I don’t want to concern myself with these. But I will speak of those prayers we are obliged as Christians to recite (such as the Our Father and the Hail Mary) so that people won’t be able to say of us that we speak and don’t understand what we’re speaking about – unless we think it is enough for us to follow the practice in which merely pronouncing the words is sufficient. What I would like us to do, daughters, is refuse to be satisfied with merely pronouncing the words. For when I say, “I believe,” it seems to me right that I should know and understand what I believe. And when I say, “Our Father,” it will be an act of love to understand who this Father of ours is and who the Master is who taught us this prayer. Well, god never allows us to forget the Master who taught us this prayer, and with so much love and desire that it benefit us. He wants us to remember Him often when we say the prayer, even though because of our weakness we do not remember Him always. Now with regard to vocal prayer, you already know that His Majesty teaches that it be recited in solitude. This is what He always did when He prayed, and not out of any need of His own but for our instruction. It has already been mentioned that one cannot speak simultaneously to God and to the world; this would amount to nothing more than reciting the prayer while listening to what is being said elsewhere or to letting the mind wander and making no effort to control it. There can be exceptions at times either to bad humors – especially if the person is melancholic – or because of faint feelings in the head so that all efforts become useless. Or it can happen that God will permit days of severe temptation in his servants for their greater good. And though in their affliction they are striving to be quiet, they cannot even be attentive to what they are saying, no matter how hard they try; nor will the intellect settle down in anything, but by the disordered way it goes about, it will seem to b in a frenzy. Whoever experiences the affliction these distractions cause will see that they are not his fault; he should not grow anxious, which makes things worse, or tire himself trying to put order into something that a the time doesn’t have any, that is, his mind. He should just pray as best he can; or even not prayer, put like a sick person strive to bring some relief to his soul; let him occupy himself in other works of virtue. This advice now is for persons who are careful and who have understood that they must not speak simultaneously to both God and the world. What we ourselves can do is to strive to be alone; and please God it will suffice, as I way, that we understand to whom we are speaking and the answer the Lord makes to our petitions. Do you think He is silent: Even though we do not hear Him, He wpeaks weel to the heart when we beseech Him from the heart... (more) The Way of Perfection, Chapter 36. The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila Volume Two. Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. ICS Publications Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C. 1980 ISBN 0-9600876-6-4 (v. 2) | 9/18/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - final night | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/19/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - 8th Night | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/18/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - 7th Night | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/17/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - sixth night | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/16/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - Night 5 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/15/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - night 4 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/14/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt.. Carmel Novena - Night 3 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/13/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - Night 2 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/12/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - Night 1 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/11/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Teresa de los Andes – Letter 109 To Elisa Valdes Ossa | Teresa de los Andes – Letter 109 To Elisa Valdes Ossa J.M.J.T. June 13, 1919 “Do you know which souls enjoy my Kindness most, Our Lord asked? The ones who rely on Me most. Trusting souls run off with My graces. I am all love; and the greatest pain they can give My Heart is to doubt My Kindness. My Heart not only sympathizes, but even rejoices to make up for failings as long as there is no malice involved. If you only knew the work I could do in a soul filled with miseries, provided it allowed me to work there. Love needs nothing. It seeks only that there be no resistance; and ordinarily, what I ask to make a soul holy is that she let Me act. A soul’s imperfections, when given no consent do not displease Me, but call forth My compassion. I love souls so much… | 6/28/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Therese of Lisieux - prayer | For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus. How great is the power of prayer, it could be called a Queen who has free access at every moment to the King and can always obtain what she asks. - Story of a Soul, chapter 10 & 11 | 6/15/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Therese of Lisieux - virtue | Therese of Lisieux - virtue “The practice of virtue gradually became sweet and natural to me. At first my looks betrayed the effort, but, little by little, self-sacrifice seemed to come more easily and without hesitation. Our Lord has said: “To everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall abound.” From the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, “Story of a Soul”. | 5/14/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Therese of Lisieux - Mountain of Love | Therese of Lisieux — Mountain of Love “If weak and imperfect souls like mine felt what I feel, none would despair of reaching the summit of the Mountain of Love, since Jesus does not ask for great deeds, but only for gratitude and self-surrender. This is all Our Lord claims from us. He has need of our love– He has no need of our works. The same God, Who declares that He has no need to tell us if He be hungry, did not disdain to beg a little water from the Samaritan woman. He was athirst, but when He said: “Give me to drink,” He, the Creator of the Universe, asked for the love of His creature. He thirsted for love. And this thirst of Our Divine Lord was ever on the increase. Amongst the disciples of the world, He meets with nothing but indifference and ingratitude, and alas! among His own, how few hearts surrender themselves without reserve to the infinite tenderness of His Love.” From the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, “Story of a Soul”. | 5/5/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit #7 Truth and Simplicity | Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit "O Lord, may I come to you by the straight road of truth and simplicity! Grant me a right intention, that single-minded regard of the soul that desires only to please you and is not concerned about how others interpret its actions. In my dealings with my neighbor, may I always follow the straight road of pure good-will, loving you in your creatures without seeking any natural satisfaction. Let my relationships be inspired by sincerity, sisterly charity and holy freedom. In the vicissitudes and unexpected events of life, make me know how to walk straight toward wherever you call me without any lingering or disctractions. Teach me to follow the way of the love that does not know procrastination, and of the simplicity which knows no deviation, and of the trugh that knows no subterfuge. This is the way that pleases you, O Jesus, for you wanted to be called "the straightest way," the way that leads to the Father, for you said; "No one comes to the Father but by me." It is the way by which the Holy Spirit guides us, for he "leads the just along the straight road." Therefore, O God, I beg you with all fervor and desire: "create a pure heart within me and renew your Spirit within me." 4 minutes Suor Carmela dello Spirito Santo... Unpublished writings. Sister Carmela thoughts of the Holy Spirit, Discalced Carmelite Nun (Born 1903 in Turin-D. 1949) Quoted from Divine Intimacy, Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year By: Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D. Used with permission from the Carmelite Nuns of Pittsford, New York. | 4/28/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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St. Teresa of the Andes - letter 36: To Mother Angelica Teresa | St. Teresa of the Andes - letter 36 To Mother Angelica Teresa Santiago, September 7, 1918 "I keep myself closely united to Our Lord within the home of my soul. Whenever I go out on the street or to the theater or to take a walk, I tell Our Lord: "My Jesus, although perhaps no one here is thinking about You, but here is a heart that belongs completely to you. I adore You, I love You. Make me Yours always." In this way I keep myself recollected and removed from worldly things and every time we must go out, we must promise to remain united to Our Lord in the cells of our souls." Time 3:00 Copyright 1994. Letters of St. Teresa of the Andes translated by Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033 USA | 4/13/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Teresa de los Andes - Letter 111 to her Aunt Juana Solar De Dominguez | Teresa de los Andes 111 Letter to her Aunt Juana Solar De Dominguez June 23, 1919 "What shall I tell you of my heavenly life? Every day I thank God more for my vocation; which, the more I delve into it, the more beautiful it becomes to me. If I could let you experience the happiness felt when one has no other task in this life than loving and contemplating. When the soul is engulfed in the ocean of Divinity, it loses sight of the world's shores, of that world that is homeland of sorrow and evil! How happy I am living as a prisoner of the Divine Prisoner, consoling Him with my tears, helping Him save souls, praying and suffering! I've begun my eternity already. I have everything. The only thing I lack is to see God face to face. Let us love Him greatly. He thirsts for our love, because the angels' love isn't enough for Him. And after giving us His Father and His Divinity, Jesus gave us His Mother. He suffered from Bethlehem to Calvary. Shouldn't we have a little bit of love for this Divine Beggar…? May everything we do be done for loves' sake, and let's live forever at the foot of the tabernacle, be it only in spirit, consoling Our Lord in His agony. I'll say more: live in the Heart of Jesus. There, united with Jesus prayer, love and praise offer your works, both perfect and imperfect, to the Most Blessed Trinity. May your soul, be a host of praise and a host of love, sacrificing itself perpetually for the glory of the most Holy Trinity to make known the infinite love and mercy of the God who is Love." Copyright 1994. Letters of St. Teresa of the Andes translated by Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033 USA | 4/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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St. Therese of Lisieux | St. Therese of Lisieux - Story of a Soul "With me prayer is an uplifting of the heart; a glance towards heaven; a cry of gratitude and love, uttered equally in sorrow and in joy. In a word, it is something noble, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites it to God. Sometimes when I am in such a state of spiritual dryness that not a single good thought occurs to me, I say very slowly the "Our Father" or the "Hail Mary," and these prayers suffice to take me out of myself, and wonderfully refresh me." Time 2:30 | 3/31/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Therese of Lisieux - Infinite Beauty | “What will be our joy when we communicate eternally in the dwelling of the King of Heaven? It will be undimmed by the grief of parting, and will know no end. His House will be ours for all eternity, and there will be no need to covet fragments from the walls hallowed by the Divine Presence. He will not give us His earthly Home--He only shows it to us to make us love poverty and the hidden life. What He has in store for us is the Palace of His Glory, where we shall no longer see Him veiled under the form of a child or the appearance of bread, but as He is, in the brightness of His Infinite Beauty.” Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of A Soul CHAPTER VI A PILGRIMAGE TO ROME | 3/16/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Carmela of the Holy Spirit -- Make this my life! | "O Holy Spirit, you will be the one who will inspire not only my prayer, but by actions as well, who will rule over my relations with my neighbor, and who will produce within me those wonderful fruits which are your gifts, just as all the virutes are your gifts, since we act in a human way, but in a divine way through you, O Holy Spirit, who are within us. "Those who are moved by the Spirit of God are children of God". This is the true life, the life of the children of God. Oh, make this my life!" Suor Carmela dello Spirito Santo... Unpublished writings. Sister Carmela thoughts of the Holy Spirit, Discalced Carmelite Nun (Born 1903 in Turin-D. 1949) Quoted from Divine Intimacy, Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year By: Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D. Used with permission from the Carmelite Nuns of Pittsford, New York. | 3/9/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle Chapter 2 1-4 | Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle Chapter 2: 1-4 "I want to say that you should consider what it would mean to this so brilliantly shining and beautiful castle, this pearl from the Orient, this tree of life planted in the very waters of life – that is, in God – to fall into mortal sin; there's no darker darkness nor anything more obscure and black. You shouldn't want to know anything else than the fact that, although the very sun that gave the soul so much brilliance and beauty is still in the center, this soul is as though it were not there to share n these things. Yet, it is as capable of enjoying Hi Majesty as is crystal capable of reflecting the sun's brilliance. Nothing helps such a soul; and as a result all the good works it might do while in mortal sin are fruitless for the attainment of glory. Since these works do not proceed from that principle, which is God, who is the cause of our virtue being really virtue, and are separated from Him, they cannot be pleasing in His sight. Since, after all, the intention of anyone who commits a mortal sin is to please the devil, who is darkness itself, not God, the poor soul becomes darkness itself. I know a person to whom our Lord wanted to show what a soul in moral sin was like. That person says that in her opinion if this were understood it would be impossible to sin, even though a soul would have to undergo the greatest trials imaginable in order to flee the occasions. So the Lord gave her a strong desire that all might understand this. May He give you, daughters, the desire to beseech Him earnestly for those who are in this state, who have become total darkness, and whose works have become darkness also. For just as all the streams that flow from a crystal-clear fount are also clear, the works of a soul in grace, because they proceed from this fount of life, in which the soul is planted like a tree, are most pleasing in the eyes of both God and man. There would be no freshness, no fruit, if it were not for this fount sustaining the tree, preventing I from drying up, and causing it to produce good fruit. Thus in the case of a soul that through its own fault withdraws from this fount and plants itself in a place where the water is black and foul-smelling, everything that flows from it is equally wretched and filth. It should be kept in mind here that the fount, the shining sun that is in the center of the soul, does not lose its beauty and splendor; it s always present in the soul, and nothing can take away its loveliness. But if a black cloth is placed over a crystal that is in the sun, obviously the sun's brilliance will have not effect on the crystal even though the sun is shining on it. O souls redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ! Understand and take pity on yourselves. How is it possible that in realizing these things you don't strive to remove the pitch from this crystal? See that if your life comes to an end you will never again enjoy this light. O Jesus, how sad a thing it is to see a soul separated from this light! May God in His mercy deliever us from so great an evil." Time 6:30 The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume II Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, and Otilio Rodriguez, OCD ICS Publications | 2/19/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit | Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit O Holy Spirit come to me, become my interior Master…Prompt me in everything, remind me of all that Jesus said, guide me take the direction of my whole being, help my weakness, provide for my insufficiency… Teach me to appreciate every least inspiration of yours! It is more precious than the entire world – even if it were but a very small inspiration such as holding back a word or a glance – because it is a little "calling" an invitation to enter more deeply into divine intimacy; if I correspond to it faithfully, I grow in grace and love … Help me to avoid every slightest infidelity, every little hesitation to refuse nothing … then the light will go on growing, and love will become an abyss that cannot be sounded. But I know that in practice I shall often fall and often be lacking – O God, let it not be willingly! - But you, teach me that even in that case I must recover myself quickly and put myself at once under you influence with an act of love, without letting myself get troubled, or discouraged, since your Spirit is sweet: "Oh how sweet is your Spirit O Lord! Suor Carmela dello Spirito Santo... Unpublished writings. Sister Carmela thoughts of the Holy Spirit, Discalced Carmelite Nun (Born 1903 in Turin-D. 1949) Time 4:00 Quoted from Divine Intimacy, Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year By: Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D. Used with permission from the Carmelite Nuns of Pittsford, New York. | 2/16/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Saint Therese of Lisieux - PRAYER TO OBTAIN HUMILITY | PRAYER TO OBTAIN HUMILITY Written for a Novice “And yet, dear Lord, Thou knowest my weakness. Each morning I resolve to be humble, and in the evening I recognize that I have often been guilty of pride. The sight of these faults tempts me to discouragement; yet I know that discouragement is itself but a form of pride. I wish, therefore, O my God, to build all my trust upon Thee. As Thou canst do all things, deign to implant in my soul this virtue which I desire, and to obtain it from Thy Infinite Mercy, I will often say to Thee: "Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine." TIME: 2:30 St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul. | 1/28/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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St. Therese of Liseiux - interior lights | St. Therese of Liseiux - interior lights "I unconsciously received many interior lights on the best means of pleasing God, and practicing virtue. I have often observed that Our Lord will not give me any store of provisions, but nourishes me each moment with food that is ever new; I find it within me without knowing how it has come there. I simply believe that it is Jesus Himself hidden in my poor heart, who is secretly at work, inspiring me with what He wishes me to do as each occasion arises." Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of A Soul CHAPTER VIII PROFESSION OF SOEUR THERESE Time 2:00 | 1/20/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Saint Teresa of Avila - the degrees of infused prayer Part 2 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 1/12/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Saint Teresa of Avila degrees of infused prayer | Saint Teresa of Avila#59 (Seville, 1576)The degrees of infused prayer (part I 1,2,3,4,5,6) "These inner spiritual experiences are difficult to speak about, and still more so when one wants to speak of them intelligible. From the beginning I will start with supernatural experiences, for there is already understanding of the devotion, tenderness, tears and meditations we can ourselves, with the help of the Lord, procure here below.The first prayer I experienced that in my opinion was supernatural (a term I use for what cannot be acquired by effort or diligence, however much one tries, although one can dispose oneself for it which would help a great deal) is an interior recollection felt in the soul. For it appears that just as the soul has exterior senses it also has other interior senses through which it seems to want to withdraw within, away from the outside noise. So, sometimes this recollection draws these exterior senses after itself, for it give the soul the desire to close its eyes and not hear or see or understand anything other than that in which it is then occupied, which is communion with God in solitude. In this state none of the senses or faculties are lost, for all are left intact. But they are left that way so that the soul may be occupied in God. And this explanation will be easy to understand for anyone to whom the Lord has granted this prayer; and for those to whom He has not, there will be need at least for many words and comparisons.A very pleasing interior quiet and peace sometimes flow from this recollection, so that it doesn't seem to the soul it is lacking in anything. Even speaking tires it, I mean reciting vocal prayer and meditating. All it wants is to love. This quiet lasts a short while, and even a longer while.From this prayer there usually proceeds what is called a sleep of the faculties, for they are neither absorbed nor so suspended that the prayer can be called a rapture. Although this prayer is not complete union, the soul sometimes, and even often, understands that the will alone is united, and this is known very clearly; I mean it is clear in the soul's opinion. The will is completely occupied in God, and it sees it lacks the power to be engaged in any other work. The other two faculties are free for business and works of service of God. In sum, Martha and Mary walk together. When there is union of all the faculties, things are very different because none of them is able to function. The intellect is as though in awe; the will loves more than it understands, but it doesn't understand in a describable way whether it loves or what it does; there is no memory at all, in my opinion, nor thought; nor even during that time are the sense awake, but they are as though lost, that the soul might be more occupied in what it enjoys. This union passes quickly. But the wealth of humility and other virtues and desires left in the soul, one discerns the great good that comes to one through that favor. But what the union is cannot be described, for even though the soul is given understanding, it doesn't know how it understands or how to describe it. In my opinion, if this experience is authentic, it is the greatest favor our Lord grants along this spiritual path, at least among the greatest." The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila Volume I. Spiritual Testimonies Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. ICS Publications Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C. 1980 ISBN 0-9600876-6- [display_podcast] | 1/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The "O" Antiphons - for Advent starting at Vespers December 17 | The "O" Antiphons On the evening of December 17 the final phase of preparation for Christmas begins with the first of the great "O Antiphons" of Advent. These prayers are seven jewels of our liturgical song, one for each day until Christmas Eve. They seem to sum up all our Advent longing for the Savior, and each of them ends with a plea for the Messiah to come. As Christmas approaches the cry becomes more urgent. These 7 short verses, the "O Antiphons" are intoned with special solemnity in monasteries during Vespers, before and after the Magnificat, Mary's prayer of praise and thanksgiving from the Gospel of Luke (2:42-55), which is sung every evening as the climax of this Hour of the Divine Office. The nuns at the Carmel of St. Joseph are using these antiphons as part of a Christmas Novena they are praying after the morning mass for the long awaited coming of the Savior! Novena Prayer: O Lord, stir up your might and come! Be our protector and savior. Rescue us from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins, and lead us to salvation. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the light of your coming on earth you who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, Amen. Prayer to Obtain Favors: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe O my God! to hear my prayer and grand my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother... Amen! The O Antiphons -- for Advent starting at Vespers O Wisdom - to be prayed December 17 O Wisdom. You came forth from the mouth of the Most High and reaching from beginning to end, You ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come and teach us the way of prudence! O Adonai - to be prayed December 18 O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, You appeared to Moses in the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him Your Law. Come and with outstretched arm redeem us! O Root of Jesse - to be prayed December 19 O Root of Jesse, You stand for an ensign of mankind; before You kings shall keep silence, and to You all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us and do not delay! O Key of David - to be prayed December 20 O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, You open and no man closes; You close and no man opens. Come and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death! O Rising Dawn - to be prayed December 21 O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice; come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death! O King - to be prayed December 22 O King of Nations and Desired of All, You are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom You fashioned out of clay! O Emmanuel - to be prayed December 23 O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of nations and their Saviour; come and save us , O Lord our God! | 12/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. John of the Cross - Day 1 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 12/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Teresa Benedicta - Inner Life and Outer Form and Action | Inner Life and Outer Form and Action "The work of salvation takes place in obscurity and stillness. In the heart's quiet dialogue with God the living building blocks out of which the kingdom of God grows are prepared, the chosen instruments for the construction forged. The mystical stream that flows through all centuries is no spurious tributary that has strayed from the prayer life of the church it is its deepest life. When this mystical stream breaks through traditional forms, it does so because the Spirit that blows where it will is living in it, this Spirit that has created all traditional forms and must ever create new ones. Without him there would be no liturgy and no church. Was not the soul of the royal psalmist a harp whose strings resounded under the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit? From the overflowing heart of the Virgin Mary blessed by God streamed the exultant hymn of the "Magnificat." When the angel's mysterious word became visible reality, the prophetic "Benedictus" hymn unsealed the lips of the old priest Zechariah, who had been struck dumb. Whatever arose from spirit-filled hearts found expression in words and melodies and continues to be communicated from mouth to mouth. The "Divine Office" is to see that it continues to resound from generation to generation. So the mystical stream forms the many- voiced, continually swelling hymn of praise to the triune God, the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Perfecter. Therefore, it is not a question of placing the inner prayer free of all traditional forms as "subjective" piety over against the liturgy as the "objective" prayer of the church. All authentic prayer is prayer of the church. Through every sincere prayer something happens in the church, and it is the church itself that is praying therein, for it is the Holy Spirit living in the church that intercedes for every individual soul "with sighs too deep for words." This is exactly what "authentic" prayer is, for "no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." What could the prayer of the church be, if not great lovers giving themselves to God who is love!... | 12/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Teresa of Avila - Spiritual Testimonies #59 | Spiritual Testimonies #59 (Seville, 1576) The degrees of infused prayer (part I 1,2,3,4,5,6) “These inner spiritual experiences are difficult to speak about, and still more so when one wants to speak of them intelligible. From the beginning I will start with supernatural experiences, for there is already understanding of the devotion, tenderness, tears and meditations we can ourselves, with the help of the Lord, procure here below. The first prayer I experienced that in my opinion was supernatural (a term I use for what cannot be acquired by effort or diligence, however much one tries, although one can dispose oneself for it which would help a great deal) is an interior recollection felt in the soul. For it appears that just as the soul has exterior senses it also has other interior senses through which it seems to want to withdraw within, away from the outside noise. So, sometimes this recollection draws these exterior senses after itself, for it give the soul the desire to close its eyes and not hear or see or understand anything other than that in which it is then occupied, which is communion with God in solitude. In this state none of the senses or faculties are lost, for all are left intact. But they are left that way so that the soul may be occupied in God. And this explanation will be easy to understand for anyone to whom the Lord has granted this prayer; and for those to whom He has not, there will be need at least for many words and comparisons. A very pleasing interior quiet and peace sometimes flow from this recollection, so that it doesn't seem to the soul it is lacking in anything. Even speaking tires it, I mean reciting vocal prayer and meditating. All it wants is to love. This quiet lasts a short while, and even a longer while. From this prayer there usually proceeds what is called a sleep of the faculties, for they are neither absorbed nor so suspended that the prayer can be called a rapture. Although this prayer is not complete union, the soul sometimes, and even often, understands that the will alone is united, and this is known very clearly; I mean it is clear in the soul's opinion. The will is completely occupied in God, and it sees it lacks the power to be engaged in any other work. The other two faculties are free for business and works of service of God. In sum, Martha and Mary walk together. When there is union of all the faculties, things are very different because none of them is able to function. The intellect is as though in awe; the will loves more than it understands, but it doesn't understand in a describable way whether it loves or what it does; there is no memory at all, in my opinion, nor thought; nor even during that time are the sense awake, but they are as though lost, that the soul might be more occupied in what it enjoys. This union passes quickly. But the wealth of humility and other virtues and desires left in the soul, one discerns the great good that comes to one through that favor. But what the union is cannot be described, for even though the soul is given understanding, it doesn't know how it understands or how to describe it. In my opinion, if this experience is authentic, it is the greatest favor our Lord grants along this spiritual path, at least among the greatest.” The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila Volume I. Spiritual Testimonies Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. ICS Publications Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C. 1980 ISBN 0-9600876-6-4 (v. 1) [ | 11/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Teresa de los Andes letter 112 | Teresa de los Andes Letter 112 to Her Sister Lucia June 29, 1919 "I want to tell you about my happiness. Yes, I want you to feel for just a moment, the happiness of belonging entirely to God, but there's no human language that can express the divine feelings in which my soul finds itself submerged. I've given Him everything, it's true, but I've also come to posses the One who is Everything. If your love and sacrifices make you love Him more, what can I tell you, when in God love knows no limit and His immolation of self can never be greater since His Wisdom has exhausted every possibility. Oh, though I want to love Him in an infinite degree; I feel more and more my inability and my flaws. I wish I could exhaust myself and die very quickly in order to love Him. But the sight of the sinful world, of the glacial coldness surrounding the altar keeps me back. Seeing it I would rather "suffer and not die." Yes, to suffer and not die that I may weep with the Divine Prisoner and console Him in His exile. I wish I could help people understand that the Eucharist is a heaven. Given that "heaven in only a tabernacle without doors, a Eucharist without veils," heaven is a never-ending Communion." TIME: 4:00 Copyright 1994. Letters of St. Teresa of the Andes translated by Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033 USA | 11/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew Chapter VI | Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew Chapter VI pg 32-33 “It is not because I am good that our Lord granted me these favors, but that His goodness might be made manifest. Although I was so unworthy of grace, this Adorable Master sought me out that even when I was least occupied with the thought of Him, in order that I might not be lost, and that His kindness might cause admiration. I performed labors with great consolation, when obedience ordained them. I had no merit in this; without thinking of the wickedness which must be in me and the numerous faults which escaped my attention, I found consolation in these labors, and it seemed to me I did all for the love of God. As my Adorable Master saw this, and because He loved me, He took care to send me certain trials, that I might see my self-love, and in order to temper my ardor… One time I was seated near the door, as I was portress. I was feeling somewhat hurt, as it seemed to me the older Sisters were not satisfied that the Prioress had placed me at the Turn, because I was still young, and I thought that they were right under the present circumstances. In this mood I saw in spirit our Lord showing me a withered rosebush in the courtyard, all covered with red and white roses; as it was dried up and it was not the season of roses, the Divine Master said to me: "these roses cannot be gathered without encountering the thorns." He wished to make me understand, by that, that it is by suffering and contradictions that virtue is acquired. I will say here, for the glory of our Lord, that He always gave me consolations when I did good to my neighbor, when the occasion presented itself, and when I aided them in their need. I inconvenienced myself, it is true, on these occasions, but I found instead of an inconvenience it was a real consolation. It is to the good Master I owe it, and it has remained so with me until this day. May His holy Name be blessed!” Autobiography of the Blessed Mother Anne of Saint Bartholomew Inseparable Companion of Sainit Teresa of Avila and Foundress of the Carmels of Pontoise, Tours and Antwerp: French Translation of the Unpublished Autograph of the Vernerable Servant of God, Preserved by the Carmelites of Antwerp, with Commentary and Historical Notes. By Reverend Marcel Bouis, S.J.: Trnaslated from the French by a Religious of the Carmel of St. Louis, MO., U.S.A. Imprimatur: Joannes Josephus, Archiepiscopus, Sti. Ludovici. 20 December, 1916 | 11/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew - Chapter II | Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew Chapter II (p22) "Scarcely had I passed a few days in the Monastery of t. Joseph than it pleased our Lord to hid Himself from me and leave me in darkness. My desolation was great. I said to this Adorable Master: "how is this? Why have you abandoned me? If I did not know you, I would think you had deceived me, and if I had known you would go away I would not have come to the monastery." This abandonment lasted ruing the entire year of novitiate. At the end of the year I entered one day the hermitage of Christ at the Pillar to pray. Scarcely had I knelt down than I became supernaturally recollected, and our Lord appeared to me fastened to the cross. The first words He addressed to me were in reply to a desire I had to know whether the thirst He experienced on the cross was a natural thirst. He said to me: "my thirst was only a thirst for souls. From henceforth you must apply yourself to the consideration of this truth, and you must walk in a different path from that you have followed until now." As if He has said to me, "Child, no longer seek Me." He then caused me to see all virtues in their perfection; they were exquisitely beautiful. I was the more impressed when I realized how far I was from their beauty and perfection. After having favored me with this light, the Divine Master disappeared, leaving my heart deeply wounded with His love, as well as by seeing Him on the cross so deeply wounded with the love of souls. This grace remained so indelibly impressed in my souls that it was with me day and night; my heart was with my Adorable Master, and my Adorable Master was in my heart; this was my usual state. Wherever I might be I experienced a zeal beyond expression for the salvation of souls and for the acquisition of those virtues that the Divine Master had shown me in the vision I have just related. He told me that it was by the way of the cross I would acquire them." TIME 4:30 Autobiography of the Blessed Mother Anne of Saint Bartholomew Inseparable Companion of Saint Teresa of Avila and Foundress of the Carmels of Pontoise, Tours and Antwerp: French Translation of the Unpublished Autograph of the Vernerable Servant of God, Preserved by the Carmelites of Antwerp, with Commentary and Historical Notes. By Reverend Marcel Bouis, S.J.: Trnaslated from the French by a Religious of the Carmel of St. Louis, MO., U.S.A. Imprimatur: Joannes Josephus, Archiepiscopus, Sti. Ludovici. 20 December, 1916 | 10/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew - Chapter IX | Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew Chapter IX (zeal for souls) page 71 “On the eve of the Feast of St. Denis, the Areopagite, for whom I had great devotion, while in prayer, our Lord granted me the favor to visit my soul, and transform it into His by a wonderful union. Through this visit lasted but a short time, its effects were very great. I became so spiritual in soul and body that it seemed I no longer performed any natural action, or made the least natural movement. The following day, the Feast of St. Denis, our Lord granted me the same favor after Holy Communion. Although this visit was short, as I have already said, the fruits which I experienced and the dispositions in which it placed my souls, lasted more than fifteen days. Although I saw nothing, I felt within myself, in the depths of my soul, the Sovereign Majesty, as if I saw the Most Holy Trinity. I saw nothing, but the realization I had of His presence within me was more striking than if I had seen Him. During these days I had, indeed, some cause for trouble, but my mind did not allow one distracting thought to enter and lost non of its simplicity; I make use of this expression, because the vision I had of God was simple, quiet and undisturbed. After these days had passed, it was no longer so. It is true this grace was not entirely taken from me, but it was not granted me in such perfection as I have just described. The fruit it continued to produce in me was greater courage of soul, more intense fervor, a more ardent desire to see God and to employ myself in His service according to His good pleasure. In this state there is greater activity and less of that simple looking towards God. The movements being, in all cases, more energetic, greater care is required in order not to commit faults, whereas one is preserved from them when made firm by the power of the prayer spoken of, that is to say, the simple looking towards God. The difference between these two states is easy to be understood. The soul who enjoys this simple sight of God resembles a person who is satiated and has an abundance of all the dishes possible to desire, without even the trouble of seeking them or even sitting down to the table. The soul which no longer has this simple sight of God is like a hungry man, who desires dishes according to his taste, but must procure them by labor, and if he must be solicitous in order to procure them, he must also be the same in order to preserve them. The soul must act in the same manner regarding the virtues, the knowledge of God and self; this exercise is so important, that who ever does not seriously enter into it will always be poor in soul. The knowledge of truth gives repose to the heart and causes a soul to be resigned in great and little things to all God asks of her.” TIME 6:00 Autobiography of the Blessed Mother Anne of Saint Bartholomew Inseparable Companion of Sainit Teresa of Avila and Foundress of the Carmels of Pontoise, Tours and Antwerp: French Translation of the Unpublished Autograph of the Vernerable Servant of God, Preserved by the Carmelites of Antwerp, with Commentary and Historical Notes. By Reverend Marcel Bouis, S.J.: Trnaslated from the French by a Religious of the Carmel of St. Louis, MO., U.S.A. Imprimatur: Joannes Josephus, Archiepiscopus, Sti. Ludovici. 20 December, 1916 | 10/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 9 | Novena to St. Teresa of Avila by St. Alphonsus of Liguori ( Pray especially beginning on October 7 and ending on October 15, the Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus.) Day 9 Lastly, O dearest Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the gift of the precious death which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa, making her sweetly to die of love; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most affectionate spouse, to grant us a good death; and if we do not die of love, yet, that we may at least die burning of love for Thee, that so dying, we may be able to go and love Thee for evermore with a more perfect love in heaven. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. | 10/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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St. Teresa of Avila – The Book of Her Life - Chap. 22.7 | St. Teresa of Avila – The Book of Her Life - Chap. 22.7 “This Lord of ours is the one through whom all blessings come to us. He will teach us these things. In beholding His life we find that He is the best example. What more do we desire than to have such a good friend at our side, who will not abandon us in our labors and tribulations, as friends in the world do? Blessed are they who truly love Him and always keep Him at their side! Let us consider the glorious St. Paul” it doesn’t seem that any other name fell from his lips that that of Jesus, as coming from on who kept the Lord close to his heart.” TIME 2:00 The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila Volume I. Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. ICS Publications Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C. 1980 ISBN 0-9600876-6-4 (v. 2) | 10/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 8 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 7 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 6 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 5 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 4 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 3 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 2 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 1 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 10/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blessed Mary of the Angels - Acts of Virtue | Interior Acts of Virtue and Affections… “Ah, how great it your goodness my Jesus! Although I have so deeply offended You, You still wish to clothe Yourself with human flesh, and to take on Yourself all my sins, in order to obtain their pardon for me. I deserved to see You sitting in the tribunal of Divine Justice, as a judge angered against one capable of so many failings; and behold! I find You, instead, in the bosom of Mary, a Savior full of indulgence for my sins. O Lamb of God! How efficacious the sweetness of Your love should be in softening the hardness of my heart! I am more sorry for my sins than for any other evil. I detest them with all my strength, because they are opposed to Your infinite bounty. You deserve to be loved above any other good, O Divine Infant. I wish to be inflamed with a supreme love for You, that I may have a true sorrow for my sins. Deign to imprint on my heart such repentance that I may prefer to die rather than ever to offend You again. Holy Spirit, to You I have recourse; with the help of Your grace I firmly resolve never again to offend my Savior.” Blessed Mary of the Angels was born in Turin, Italy, in 1661, she died, after spending her whole life there, in 1717. In 1675 she entered the Discalced Carmelite Convent of St Christina, and several times filled the offices of Prioress and Novice Mistress. She underwent continual spiritual trials, but was constant in her ardent love of God. She was outstandingly faithful to prayer and particularly devoted to St Joseph, in whose honour a convent was founded through her good offices at Moncalieri. Blesssed Mary of the Angels Discalced Carmelite (1661-1717) A Biography. Rev. G.O’Neill, S.J., M.A. R&T Washbourne, LTD. 1,2 & 4 Paternoster Row, London 1909 | 1/31/00 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 9 | It is always sad when you come to the end of a Novena like this one to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The beautiful habit of making your pilgrimage to the Carmel of St. Joseph with the prayerful intention of love and devotion to Our Lady is just so awesome and wonderful that it is a habit you don't want to break! It is a good and generous thing that the Sister's daily invite all to their chapel for Eucharistic Adoration of Our Blessed Lord -- and may the faithful know that the Holy Rosary is prayed EACH night of the year at 7:45 p.m. in the chapel so you can keep your Novena going! Tonight Mt. Carmel was especially blessed to have celebrating the final night of Novena Masses the new Archbishop of St. Louis, his Excellency Robert Carlson. The Archbishop told a story of his recent adventure 3,000 miles away in the mountains of Columbia where on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel he celebrated another Novena. The novena was celebrated with a Carmelite Community of Nuns which have been established there since 1584! The Carmel is in a little village some 3 1/2 hours from Bogota. "And so from South America to St. Louis we bridge two cultures and two different ways of honoring our Blessed Mother. And so tonight as we celebrate this mass we ask that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel would place the Archdiocese of St. Louis under her protective care," said the Archbishop. Wow! That certainly is a most wonderful blessing for our city of St. Louis. We are so very thankful for the Archbishop to call upon our Mother and her maternal care under the most beautiful title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. It is her beautiful and loving mantle which wrap us in safekeeping and as we wear the garment of her brown scapular, we pledge our devotion to her. Surely it is known that a most important mission of Carmelites to pray especially for Priests. And so we will continue to do so for the Archdiocese and the world. The Bishop was assisted tonight by Deacon Anthony Yates and the Rosary was led by Kenrick Glennon Seminarian, Peter Fonseca. The choir was from St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Brentwood. You can pray along to the Most Holy Rosary and Benediction here. You may listen to Archbishop Carlson's Homily here. | 7/18/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 5 | Father Daniel Chowning, OCD from the Discalced Carmelite Hermit Community in Hinton, West Virginia was the celebrant again tonight for the fifth night of masses celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the Carmel of St. Joseph. He spoke tonight on the topic of the Mary, the Immaculate Conception. He told the story of St. Bernadette in Lourdes and explained In 1854 the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated by Pope Pius IX but Father spoke of the Carmelites celebrating this tradition as far back as 1306! Father explained how our vocation is to imitate Mary and to become transformed into the mystery of God through prayer. "To pray is to open ourselves up to God's transformation." "For in the very depths of our being is woven an image of God of Love." You may listen to Father's homily here. You are invited to pray along the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary and Benediction here. | 7/14/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 4 | St. Louis was a busy town tonight with two big events. Downtown, Busch Stadium was hosting Major League baseball's All Star game. Certainly many televisions were tuned into the action, however, more wonderful than baseball, the Carmelite Nuns continued their hosting the Annual Outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel at their Monastery grounds a few miles west of the game. The faithful gathered in chapel to pray the Rosary and then spread out to the front lawns for another beautiful evening of prayer. Tonight we were blessed to have Father Daniel Chowning, OCD from the Discalced Carmelite Hermit Community in Hinton, West Virginia celebrating the mass. We are most thankful that Father will be with us until the Feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel! His homily on Mary of Nazareth was so inspiring as he demonstrated how the Blessed Virgin lived out an ordinary life of faith in Nazareth. Mary, in great example to us, lived this "ordinariness" with "extraordinary holiness" - something we are all called to do! His homily is inspiring and you can listen here. Father was assisted at Mass by Deacon Norman Werner and the choir was from St. Mark's parish. The Most Holy Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) and Benediction Father Chowning's Homily | 7/13/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 3 | Short meditations for your soul from the mystical writings of the great saints of Carmel. These prayerful inspirations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many more! We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life! The OCDS Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis have produced these meditations and are updated regularly with new inspirations. | 7/12/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOur Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 2 | Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary and Benediction from the Annual Novena | 7/11/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanAnnual Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel - night 1 | Last night we began the Annual Outdoor novena in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the Carmel of St. Joseph here in St. Louis. In an effort to let you pray this novena with us we will be sharing photos and audio from each night of the Novena. You may listen and pray along with us in the Rosary and Benediction services which are held in the chapel before the Novena begins on the front lawns of the Monastery. Then you may listen to the homilist from each mass. The theme of Saturday evening's mass was Mary, Disciple of the Lord. Mass was celebrated by Father Michael Houser the Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish. Father Houser was assisted in mass by Transitionary Deacon Anthony Ochoa. The choir was a selection of beautiful voices from the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus who also reside in St. Louis. Rosary and Benediction listen to the homilist | 7/10/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe Cloister | Nobody lives in this shining house but God, though shadowy figures tremble to and fro. Over these cool grey stones that suffering made only the pierced feet of the Master go. Afire went through this place and gutted it; a living flame of love over the ruins a fog of silence spread. Nobody comes here but the pale young Christ Who loves a shelter uninhabited – Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers Edited by Regina Siegfried and Robert Morneau. ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road, NE Washington, DC 20002-1199 Reprint of the most extensive anthology of this noted Carmelite poet, which she approved five weeks before her death. Includes introduction by Bishop Morneau. | 6/26/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanFor a Child of God | The saints and mystics Had a name For that deep Inwardness of flame, The height or depth Or ground or goal Which is God’s dwelling in the soul. Heaven Because God is there All day and when You wake at night Think of that place Of living light, Yours and within you And aglow Where only God And you can go. None can assail you In that place Save your own evil, Routing grace. Not even angels See or hear, Nor the dark spirits Prowling near. But there are days when watching eyes could guess that you hold Paradise. Sometimes the shining Overflows And everyone Around you knows. Child has no one ever told you God is in your soul. The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers Edited by Regina Siegfried and Robert Morneau. ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road, NE Washington, DC 20002-1199 Reprint of the most extensive anthology of this noted Carmelite poet, which she approved five weeks before her death. Includes introduction by Bishop Morneau. time – 4:00 | 6/20/82 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 72 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
A few moments of peace!
I really, REALLY loved these meditations and I really love the format... I only wish they were LONGER! I look forward to each weeks episode and listen to them all during the week. It is my PEACE! (And, I really like the music, this is no synthasized music. I don't know what that other reviewer was thinking! This music is classical!)
Reflections to inspire your heart toward the Eternity
The meditations given by the Carmelites inspire me so much. I especially enjoy listening to their reflections on the Eucharist. The wisdom and wit of St. Teresa of Avila are WONEDERFUL!!! What a strong woman!!! St. Teresa of the Andes is quite a mystic and I am happy to have learned about her through this podcast. Of course, everyone will love the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, but who could not open their hearts to embrace her simplicity of the Little Way to Heaven. Thank you Carmelites, I enjoy the music, I enjoy the message and I wish you to keep making more Meditations to listen to!
mike
a rare gem. i emptied my ipod just to put these meditations on it. GOD bless everyone at ST. JOSEPH!
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