Dec. 18, 2025
Clarifying the Dark Night with Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS
Have you ever considered yourself a mystic? What exactly is a mystic? What is mysticism? How does it apply to me? The mystic, St. John of the Cross, dives into what the “Dark Night of the Soul” entails. In general, many p...
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April 22, 2024
Marriage is Free, Full, Faithful, and Fruitful
Marriages are free, full, faithful, and fruitful. Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, analyzes these same elements as it relates to Carmelite spirituality. It is very enlightening and enriching.
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Oct. 11, 2023
Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 6)
The most challenging phase of our spiritual journey is the transition from meditative prayer to contemplative prayer. This transition literally requires us to begin to abandon the comfortable methods of prayer, and the use of our faculties, that we ...
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Oct. 4, 2023
Interior Castle (part 10): Sixth Dwelling Place; Ch. 7-9: Keeping Christ Present
The Lord (the Bridegroom) continues to draw the soul (the Bride) closer to Him through the purification of the soul as well as mystical favors that may occur. In this episode, we talk about the importance of keeping the humanity of Christ present in our prayer.
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Sept. 12, 2023
The Active Night of the Purification of the Spirit
In this homily, Deacon Mark Danis asked himself what can souls do to prepare themselves in the Active Night to enter into the Passive Night of the Spirit, which St. John of the Cross discusses in his book, “Ascent to Mount Carmel".
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Aug. 23, 2023
Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 4)
In the life of prayer, there are always transitions. We cannot remain static in our pursuit of God. In this particular program, Mark and Frances identify the seven vices that often hold us back from progressing into deeper, more interior stages.
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Aug. 19, 2023
The Third Spiritual Alphabet and St. Teresa of Avila
The 16th Century Spanish Franciscan Friar, Francisco de Osuna, was the author of a book considered to be a great masterpiece and spiritual classic called: “The Third Spiritual Alphabet.” It profoundly influenced St. Teresa of Avila.
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Aug. 10, 2023
Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 3)
This program focuses first on the practice of asceticism, the healthy denial of our desires so that we can create space for God to fill us with the only desire that matters – Himself.
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July 27, 2023
Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 1)
St. John of the Cross did not write for beginners in prayer. His works are for those who have been practicing prayer for some time and have begun to make progress on the spiritual journey.
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Jan. 28, 2023
Interior Castle (part 1): The Our Father Prayer
St. Teresa of Avila, in her classic masterpiece, The Interior Castle, teaches us how to become more intimate with God by journeying through the seven mansions/dwelling places of this interior castle of our soul.
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April 13, 2022
Pray without Ceasing: Fulfilling the Lord’s Precept through the Liturgy of the Hours ; Part 2, with Marika Zimmerman, OCDS
Guest and Secular Discalced Carmelite Marika Zimmerman joins hostess, Frances Harry, OCDS for a program on the Liturgy of the Hours, the universal prayer of the Church.
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April 13, 2022
Pray without Ceasing: Fulfilling the Lord’s Precept through the Liturgy of the Hours, with Marika Zimmerman, OCDS
Guest and Secular Discalced Carmelite Marika Zimmerman joins host, Frances Harry, OCDS for a program on the Liturgy of the Hours, the universal prayer of the Church.
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July 19, 2016
The Grace of Contemplative Prayer, Part Three of Three
In the final segment of the three part series, Mark and Frances start with St. John of the Cross’s counsel on the attitude the soul should take during the transition to the beginning of the supernatural gift of contemplation. We then discuss different me...
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July 12, 2016
The Grace of Contemplative Prayer, Part Two of Three
In this segment, Mark and Frances delve into more of the particulars of the transition from active mental prayer to passive contemplative prayer. We start with a discussion of how to prepare for the gift of infused contemplation. St. Teresa of Avila reco...
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June 28, 2016
The Grace of Contemplative Prayer, Part One of Three
Join Mark and Frances on an introduction and discussion on contemplative prayer. We start by defining the words: prayer, grace, and contemplation. The word “contemplation” means many different things depending on the context and culture it is used. There...
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June 14, 2016
The Role of Silence in Prayer
Here Mark and Frances reintroduce a topic they believe does not get enough attention in our discussion of contemplative prayer or even in conversations about the spiritual journey. The topic is the important role of silence in our daily prayer and in our...
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Feb. 29, 2016
The Way of the Cross with the Carmelite Saints
The Way of the Cross is a remarkably powerful and grace filled devotion, one we should certainly find time to practice during the Season of Lent. In this particular program Mark and Frances draw from the writings of the great Carmelite Saints to provide ...
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Feb. 23, 2016
Provoking Contemplation—Who are these Contemplatives Anyway?
In this last in a series of five conversations on a book entitled 'Contemplative Provocations," by Fr. Donald Haggerty, Mark and Frances conclude their earlier discussion on how Christ hides Himself in and among the Poor. This is an important discussion ...
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Feb. 16, 2016
Provoking Contemplation—Suffering Trials, the Poor and Contemplation
The single most difficult aspect of the journey of prayer are the times of suffering and trial. Just when we believe we have launched on the correct path to holiness and are responding to God in the way that He desires, we seem to be met with no end of t...
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Feb. 9, 2016
Provoking Contemplation—Poverty, Self Denial and Trial
This is the third in a series of conversations reflection on the work by Fr. Donald Haggerty entitled "Contemplative Provocations." During this conversation Mark and Frances begin by cautioning against what Fr. Haggerty refers to as 'Aberrations.'' By th...
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Feb. 2, 2016
Provoking Contemplation au Deux
This particular program aired on the eve of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast recalls not only the Lord's arrival at the temple, but also the preparation of the two individuals who were able to recognize the Lord, Anna and Simeon. It ...
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Jan. 26, 2016
Provoking Contemplation
This program originally aired on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. During this conversation Mark and Frances first discuss the event of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. What is most striking about this event is the presence of the unbear...
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Aug. 5, 2013
Active Contemplatives
Carmelites are called to be ‘active contemplatives,’ but what does this mean? Have you ever wondered how to go about striking the right balance between prayer and the active life. In fairness, most of us have difficulty finding enough time in our busy li...
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