![Ratio Institutionis from The Book of Documents by Colleen Sollinger, OCDS]()
September 17, 2021
The Ratio Institutionis is a document found in The Book of Documents used in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites as found at www.ocdswashprov/store/book. It basically addresses how to put the Carmelite charism into practice in our daily lives. It guides us in living out our Carmelite calling.
The Ratio presents the purpose or philosophy behind a program of formation for the members of the OCDS. It is not the formation program itself, as far as which Saints to study or resources to use, but seeks to present the fundamental principles that guide the process of formation.
Colleen Sollinger, our presenter, explains what this document covers, how it applies to living out our Carmelite call through the human, Christian, and Carmelite perspectives, and also includes a section on discerning a call to the Secular Discalced Carmelite Order.
She offers a great, insightful analogy of hot to put this all together in our daily life that gives the whole document a fresh breath…of the Holy Spirit, no doubt. Living out the principles given in this Ratio helps set the tone for our life experiences, drawing us ever closer to Christ thru Mary, our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
September 17, 2021
What is “discernment”? That word is used frequently in Christian circles, especially in regard to answering the call to our vocation in life. Many souls have a fundamental misunderstanding of what discernment is. Deacon Baldwin clarifies what discernment is NOT, and what it IS.
He then clarifies our understanding of the Christian essence of discernment. He points out and explains how true discernment is a form of prayer. He then describes how true discernment helps us gain interior freedom. But what does this look like in our lives? And more importantly, what is the definitive end of discernment?
August 9, 2021
After being fully professed by making the Definitive Promise in the Order, a member may choose to discern whether he/she is being called to make a vow. What is a vow? How does a vow differ from a promise? What kind of vow can one make? How is a soul prepared for making the vow? What is involved? Who is eligible and what time frame is involved? Most importantly, why would a member want to make the vow? These are some of the questions that will be addressed by Colleen Sollinger, a member and the current Director of Formation for the community of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Dayton. Even if you are not in the Order, by hearing this presentation, you may come to appreciate in a deeper way, the commitment others make by the vows.
August 9, 2021
Aug. 9th is the feast of St.Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (aka Edith Stein). Deacon Baldwin gives a short background on this wonderful Saint and then zeroes in on how she lived out the “love of the Cross.” What was that like? Who was she? What did she believe? How did love change her? She indeed made the supreme sacrifice of the Cross, dying at Auschwitz.
August 6, 2021
In John 17: 14-16, Jesus states that we do not belong to the world. Still, He prays not that we be taken from the world, but that we may have the strength to resist evil. What do the Carmelite Saints have to say about remaining in God while being in the world? Examples are provided from Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection, General Gaston de Sonis, and St. Teresa of Avila.
August 6, 2021
How are we (as Carmelites/Christians) to be to the world what the soul is to the body? What do our Carmelite Doctors of the Church teach us? How are we in the world but not of the world? What is the soul? How does it operate? What is its relationship to the body? How does the soul and the body work together? How does this relate to our Carmelite/Christian calling?
Secular Carmelites/Christians are sent to bring the Spirit of Christ into the world to animate and transform it. How do we do that? How is this union of the body and soul perfected in Christ?
June 24, 2021
Deacon Baldwin helps the listener to understand the word “mystery” as it applies to faith in God. He explains how the mystery of God goes beyond our intellect and reason. He then proceeds to introduce the steps to enter into the mystery of Divine Love.
![Part 3: Courage in the Face of Opposition: What the Carmelites Can Teach Us About Living Counter-culturally]()
May 6, 2021
3rd in the Series: featuring St. Maria Maravillas of Jesus, OCD (1891-1974)
During the life of St. Maria Maravillas, a Discalced Carmelite nun and foundress, Spain was going through much upheaval. Religious persecution increased daily.
In this conversation, you will learn how St. Maria Maravillas displayed courage in the face of opposition, even face to face opposition! The revolutionaries were a constant threat. What was this Saint’s response? What was her “martyrdom of heart?”
You’ll also learn of a “Cinderella” moment she had that is quite an amusing story and connection with Holy Mother Teresa (St. Teresa of Avila).
RESOURCES on Saint Maria Maravillas:
“Following the Path of Divine Love”
By the Discalced Carmelites of Cerro de los Ageles and La Aldehuela, Spain
Published by the Carmel International Publishing House in Kerala, India
https://santamaravillasdejesus.es
This is the website to the convent near Cerro de los Ángeles. This is the convent from which she was first arrested during the Spanish Civil War; this is the one she rebuilt after it had been destroyed after being occupied by both sides at various times throughout the war. ~
Sainteté au Carmel: Vie et message de Mère Maravillas de Jésus
By the Carmel at the Cerro de los Ángeles
Éditions du Carmel
![Part 2: Courage in the Face of Opposition: What the Carmelites Can Teach Us About Living Counter-culturally]()
April 29, 2021
Second in the Series: featuring General Louis-Gaston de Sonis
In this podcast, the conversation focuses on the life of General Louis-Gaston de Sonis, from France. Born in 1825 and 1887. He was a husband, father of 12, a military officer and a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
He displayed courage in the midst of many struggles, both in the military and in the world, personally and as a Catholic.
Our guest, Colleen Sollinger, tells us about his life and some of the adverse situations he was in. She then points out how the General dealt with these situations. He has much wise counsel to give us.
After he died, his body was found to be incorrupt. Some miracles were declared and attributed to his intercession. What a joy it would be to see his cause for canonization to be completed.
“The Life of General de Sonis, From his Papers and Correspondence”
By Msgr Baunard, Translated by Lady Herbert
Available from Amazon
Also found online at: https://archive.org/stream/lifeofgeneraldes00baunuoft/lifeofgeneraldes00baunuoft_djvu.txt
