An apostolate of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites community of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Dayton, Ohio.
Carmelite Conversations Podcast
March 11, 2024

Thinking about the Samaritan Woman During Lent

During this Lenten season, and by focusing on a few important points in the scripture passage on the Samaritan Woman, Deacon Mark Danis uses the lense of contemplation to highlight the importance of coming to know the truth about ourselves so that by...

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
March 9, 2024

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 8)

So often in the spiritual journey, we can run into roadblocks. We can mistakenly perceive that we have gotten off course, and we might immediately seek to turn back to find the right path again.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
March 3, 2024

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 7)

If you feel as though you have reached a plateau in your prayer life, or after many years of active prayer, you feel as though you are suddenly stuck, it may be the Lord is calling you to a deeper encounter with Him.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Dec. 29, 2023

Interior Castle (part 12): Seventh Dwelling Place; Ch. 1-2: The Grand Entrance and Spiritual Marriage

What is like to enter into the 7th Dwelling Place?  What was it like for St. Teresa?  Then we turn to a discussion about spiritual marriage.  We focus on what this experience/union with God was like for St. Teresa.  These chapters truly help us to ha...

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Dec. 11, 2023

Christmas Preparation for Carmelites

Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS, shares ways to prepare during Advent for the birth of our Lord. He provides suggestions specific for Secular Carmelites. This talk was given during a Holy Hour.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Oct. 27, 2023

Interior Castle (part 11): Sixth Dwelling Place; Ch. 10-11: Preparing to Enter the Kingly Chambers

In the final rooms of the 6th Dwelling Place of the Interior Castle, St. Teresa teaches us about some special favors our Lord gives to prepare the soul with wedding garments for entrance into His Kingly Chambers, the Throne Room.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Oct. 17, 2023

The Determined Determination of St. Teresa of Avila

On the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Avila, Deacon Mark Danis gave an inspiring reflection.  His focus was on the famous quote of St. Teresa:  “You must have a very determined determination.”

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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 ...

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Sept. 23, 2023

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 5)

One of the most difficult phases in the spiritual life of prayer, is the transition from meditation to contemplation. We explore the five critical means for identifying if a soul is being invited to move from discursive meditation to contemplation.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Sept. 12, 2023

Interior Castle (part 9): Sixth Dwelling Place; Ch. 4-6: Mansion of Spiritual Betrothal & Mystical Communications

God continues to draw the soul closer to Him through the purification of the soul as well as mystical favors that may occur.  In this episode, we talk about ecstasies, raptures, flights of the spirit, spiritual betrothal, the gift of tears, and more.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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".

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
Aug. 2, 2023

Exploring Contemplation with St. John of the Cross (part 2)

In pure faith we proceed with the greatest confidence that we will not lose our way. At the same time, we need to be wary of even perceived divine communications.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
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.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
July 19, 2023

Interior Castle (part 8): Sixth Dwelling Place; Ch. 1-3: Greater Trials & Greater Favors

Here in the 6th Dwelling Place, the soul goes through an intensification of the Dark Night, specifically the Dark Night of the Spirit.   It’s no surprise that St. Teresa of Avila begins in the first chapter with trials and sufferings.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
June 24, 2023

Interior Castle (part 7): Fifth Dwelling Place; Ch. 3 & 4: True Union with God

The 5th Dwelling Place/Mansion can be understood to be the deeper revelation of God to the soul and the joining of hands in spiritual courtship with our Divine Spouse.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
June 5, 2023

Evangelical Counsels and Perfection

What are the Evangelical Counsels and why are they important to Carmelites? This homily by Deacon Baldwin was given to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Dayton during a Community meeting Holy Hour.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
May 26, 2023

Interior Castle (part 6): Fifth Dwelling Place; New Life in Christ, Fragments of Heaven

As we continue the journey through the interior castle, we grow deeper and deeper in our intimacy and relationship with the Lord. The 5th Dwelling Place can be understood to be the joining of hands in spiritual courtship with our Divine Spouse.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
May 16, 2023

St. Therese: Being and doing for the Lord

St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, known as “the little flower,” was prophetically called by Pope Pius X, the “greatest saint of modern times.”  Time continues to echo her greatness.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
May 6, 2023

St. John of the Cross’ Light in the Dark

How does the teaching of St. John of the Cross help us to be “light” in the “dark” that surrounds us in our day?  This presentation by Deacon Baldwin was given to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Dayton for their Day of Recollection.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...
April 21, 2023

Interior Castle (part 5): Fourth Dwelling Place; Transition & Transformation

This is an exciting mansion as God begins to take the lead becoming much more active in the soul, while the soul becomes more passive and receptive to God, more fully surrendering to Him, especially in prayer.

Listen to the episode

The player is loading ...