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St. Thérèse of Lisieux discovered that holiness isn't about grand gestures — it's about small things done with great love. As a teenager, Thérèse felt every joy and sorrow so deeply it nearly overwhelmed her, until one quiet Christmas night changed her completely. Inside the Carmelite convent, she found her calling not in dramatic penances but in her Little Way — smiling at an irritating sister, offering a headache without complaint, and simply talking to Jesus the way you'd talk to a friend. "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses." Want to keep living Thérèse's story after the episode ends? Grab our free Family Pack — a saint calendar with daily challenges, feast-day activities, family discussion questions, and more — free for email subscribers, so your family can follow along together: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/pages/every-days-a-feast-day-follow-along    

Friends of the Rosary,Today, October 1, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Virgin and Doctor of the Church, more popularly known as "the Little Flower."Born in Alençon, France, to Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, this nineteenth-century cloistered Carmelite reminds us that holiness can be lived through small acts done with great love — her “Little Way” of confidence and love.Thérèse's mother died when she was four, and at age fifteen she followed her two older sisters into the Carmel at Lisieux, France. For the next nine years she lived a very ordinary religious life. There are no miracles, exploits, or austerities recorded of her.Enduring extreme penances, Thérèse declared, “It is sufficient to acknowledge one's nothingness and to abandon oneself like a child to God's arms."She attained a very high degree of holiness by carrying out her ordinary daily duties with perfect fidelity, having a childlike confidence in God's providence and merciful love, and being ready to serve others at all times.She also had a great love of the Church and a zeal for the conversion of souls. She prayed especially for priests.She died of consumption on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24, and was canonized in 1925.She has never ceased to fulfill her promise: "I will pass my heaven in doing good on earth."“My God, I love you!” was her final prayer.Her inner life is known through her autobiography, Story of a Soul.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠October 1, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET 

Send us Fan MailSome prayers begin with a crisis. Others begin with something quieter: a tired parent asking for patience, a family carrying a long worry, a believer trying to trust God again. We walk through the Saint Therese of Lisieux Novena as a simple, steady way to bring your intention to Jesus for nine days while asking Saint Therese to intercede. The goal is not to force an outcome or find “perfect words,” but to build a rhythm of Catholic prayer that makes room for grace.We talk about who Saint Therese really was, a young Carmelite whose hidden life became a worldwide witness that holiness is possible in ordinary moments. Her Little Way is concrete and surprisingly challenging: doing small things with great love, showing kindness when you feel stretched thin, and returning to God with the confidence of a child. If you're praying for healing, for peace at home, for a loved one who has drifted from the faith, or simply for a more trusting heart, her approach meets you where you are.We also address the famous “shower of roses” and why signs are never the foundation of faith. Whether you notice a rose or not, the heart of the devotion stays the same: place your petition in God's hands, stay close to Christ, and let daily love become your offering. You'll get an easy framework for how to pray the novena, how to involve children, and a full set of daily prayer themes that keep you grounded from Day 1 to Day 9.If this helps you pray with more peace, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more people can find the Saint Therese novena and the Little Way.Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsVisit our blog for full text of our podcasts https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/eucharist-mary-saintsDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us by referring a friend! When they upgrade you get $20 and so does Journeys of Faith...

Today, on the feast day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we reflect on her spiritual journey and the pursuit of holiness in everyday life. I highlight how the young Carmelite nun clarified to a visiting Jesuit priest her ambition to become a saint like St. Teresa of Avila. She eventually became a celebrated Doctor of the Church through her renowned "little way." Drawing parallels, the discourse encourages ordinary believers to embrace their own divine calling by relying entirely on God's grace in their daily routines. Listeners are reminded that, much like the disciples Jesus sent out, they act as instruments of faith who must actively share Christ's teachings in society. Ultimately, the message urges individuals to appreciate their unique life circumstances, recognize their personal vocation, and spread divine love and peace through humble, everyday actions.

Delivered by May Ann Rodrigo from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Isaiah 66: 10-14b; Rs psalm 131: 1.2.3; Matthew 18: 1-5.GOD IS PLEASED WITH THE LITTLE ONES The theme for our meditation today is: God is Pleasedwith the Little Ones. At the moment when she was about to pass away as a24-year-old contemplative Carmelite nun, Saint Therese uttered her last wordsthat went like this: "My Lord, I love You!" This expression of prayeronce was repeated so fervently by the children and young people in one ofremotest parishes, who were having a full year faith formation program. Inone of those occasions when the Bishop of that diocese was also present, achild approached the Bishop and asked in this way: "What is the bestprayer for children when they like to pray?" The Bishop replied: "Follow the example of SaintTherese of the Child Jesus who always prayed in these words, 'O my Lord, I loveYou'. The Bishop asked the children to repeat this prayer every day, apart fromsaying common prayers such as "Our Father" and "Hail Mary".The children were delighted and satisfied by this brief and very touchingprayer. When children want to repay kindness and care they have received fromtheir parents, teachers and anyone else, they usually say the word "thankyou" and there might be no more additional explanation to it. If anexplanation is needed, it would be appropriate for them to simply say: "Ilove You". Today Saint Theresa teaches us to love God in the sameway the children do, namely with simplicity and with the reality of our dailylives. Christian spirituality shown in the life of children, emphasizes thespirit of dependence on God and living in gratitude. The scriptures show howthe Lord provides a very important place for those whom He chooses, namelychildren and young people. Our today's readings indicate that people who areinsignificant and smallest according to human view, will be the greatest in theKingdom of Heaven because it is according to the will of God. God's will is fulfilled when we heed His invitationthat we need to fight our human pride. This is the capital sin that move peopleto always look for position, power, wealth, and fame. God is so pleased with thelittle ones and are abandoned in order to humiliate those who always think ofthemselves better and holier than others. One of the ways to overcome our prideis to follow the way that the Prophet Job had, especially when he faced all theadversities in his life. In that situation, he still believed and depended onGod. This is really the attitude of a child, because he only knows that God isthe ruler of life. Job's strong faith was expressed in this way: "It isGod who gives, it is God who takes away, praise the name of God." Thewords of this prayer are the same as the prayer we have just mentioned earlier:"O my Lord, I love You." Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O most loving God, may our lives todaydepend solely on Your providence and increase in us the sense of gratitude.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name ofthe Father ...

Send us Fan MailPrayer can feel like one more thing to “get done,” but that mindset quietly drains it of power. We sit down with Father Stephen Sanchez, a Discalced Carmelite priest, and walk through the Carmelite tradition to recover what prayer actually is: a living relationship with Jesus Christ that changes your desires, your choices, and the shape of your life.We connect the dots from the Rule of St Albert and the early hermits of Mount Carmel to the church's struggle through war, famine, and the Black Death, including why the Carmelite rule was mitigated in 1432. From there we follow the fire that refused to die out, especially in the “Institution of the First Monks,” with its two aims for the spiritual life: purity of heart and real experiential awareness of God's presence. That thread leads straight to St Teresa of Avila's reform, her insistence on smaller communities, and her longing for friends of God who are truly “good ones.”Then we bring it home with the core of Carmelite spirituality today: contemplative prayer as relationship, not a checklist. We talk about the practical marks of healthy Christian spirituality, including concrete love for the poor, community life, vulnerability, and the hard work of letting go of control. We also unpack why Teresa and John of the Cross lean on bridal and friendship language and how desert spirituality forces a choice between comfort and conversion.If you're hungry for a deeper interior life, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find these reflections on Carmelite prayer and the contemplative life.Support the showClick here to support the Carmelite Friars!Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here! 

9-26-26: t Carmelite Rule for Holiness – St. Albert of Jerusalem by

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's beatification is approaching, and the story behind it is miraculous. John-Henry Westen speaks with Al Smith, a Canadian plumber who had never heard of Sheen and became one of his most dedicated promoters. Smith discovered Sheen through his writings, brought his talks to radio and seminaries, republished his works, and eventually served with the Sheen Foundation. He highlights Sheen's Marian and Carmelite spirituality, his commitment to the Holy Hour, and his determination to bring souls to Christ.But the most extraordinary part of the story is James Fulton Engstrom, the child whose approved healing was attributed to Sheen's intercession. The newborn showed no signs of life for 61 minutes as his family prayed for Sheen's intercession. Then his heart began beating again. He suffered no brain damage. Now 15 years old, he will process Sheen's relics at the beatification ceremony.Sheen was not simply a celebrated Catholic broadcaster. He was a spiritual teacher whose writings, devotion to Our Lady, Eucharistic spirituality, and zeal for souls can continue forming Catholics into disciples today. The miracle paved the way. The beatification is coming. And the question is whether a new generation will discover the teacher who never stopped pointing to Christ.Learn more at: www.celebratesheen.com & www.bishopsheentoday.comLife Site News supporters can get a 25% discount when they use the promo code Sheen25 at checkout at www.sophiainstitute.com to get the book! Make the switch today to iCatholicMobile today!iCatholic Mobile—supporting the Catholic faith with every connection.https://www.icatholicmobile.com/ HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=SOCIAL U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew (1550–1626) was a Carmelite mystic and as a close companion of Teresa of Ávila, her right-hand woman. Her extraordinary encounters with Christ began in childhood and continued through religious wars in France. From visions of the Infant Jesus when she was a child tending sheep to serving as Teresa's nurse, secretary, and companion, Anne's life straddled profound mystical contemplation and the demanding realities of founding and governing convents. Her autobiographies and hundreds of letters reveal a woman who endured spiritual darkness, ecstasy, visions, and intense experiences of God's presence while carrying the Carmelite reform far beyond Spain.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chapter 4 of Called to Carmel, Called to Community: Reflections on the Carmelite Rule, Secular Constitutions, and Statutes by Tim Bete, OCDS. This chapter covers Witnesses to the Experience of God (Constitutions, 17 to 23). In Called to Carmel, Called to Community, Tim Bete shares his reflections on the Carmelite Rule, OCDS Constitutions, and Provincial Statutes. The book brings the governing documents to life and connects them to the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and other Carmelite Saints. Through practical examples, Bete emphasizes the power of Secular Carmelite communities and how the community helps form us in holiness. If you are called to Carmel, you are called to community! The book is divided into 11 chapters, perfect for community formation classes or individual reading. It is excellent supplementary reading for Formation I, Year B: History & Charism (in the United States), and for visitors to your community. At the end of each chapter, there are reflection questions. Find the book on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats https://www.timbete.net/carmel-book Resources from the book, including the Rule, Constitutions, and Statutes from many Provinces https://www.timbete.net/carmel Contact Tim: https://www.timbete.net/contact  

Send us Fan MailFive women saints. Five very different roads to God. One invitation that lands close to home: holiness is possible for ordinary Catholics, not just spiritual superheroes. We tell the stories of the Church's most beloved women saints because their lives don't float above real life they cut straight through it, lighting up what faithful prayer, courage, and love look like when circumstances get messy.We start with Saint Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite reformer and Doctor of the Church whose writing on interior prayer still reads like a roadmap for anyone battling distraction, dryness, or doubt. Then we turn to Saint Rita of Cassia, beloved as the Saint of Impossible Cases, whose life of suffering and forgiveness helps us bring our hardest relationships and most stubborn problems to God with hope. Saint Clare of Assisi shows how hidden faith can be fearless, especially through her trust in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, while Saint Catherine of Siena models bold charity and truth telling as she serves the sick and speaks to leaders during a time of division. Finally, Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, reframes sanctity with the Little Way: doing small things with great love until ordinary life becomes an offering.Journeys of Faith carries forward the tradition of Bob and Penny Lord by making the saints easier to know and easier to follow. If you've been searching for a heavenly friend, a deeper prayer life, or a clearer sense of what Catholic spirituality looks like day to day, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the saint you want to learn about next.Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsVisit our blog for full text of our podcasts https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/eucharist-mary-saintsDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us by referring a friend! When they upgrade you get $20 and so does Journeys of Faith...

Chapter 3 of Called to Carmel, Called to Community: Reflections on the Carmelite Rule, Secular Constitutions, and Statutes by Tim Bete, OCDS. This chapter covers Following Jesus in the Teresian Secular Carmel (Constitutions, 10 to 16). In Called to Carmel, Called to Community, Tim Bete shares his reflections on the Carmelite Rule, OCDS Constitutions, and Provincial Statutes. The book brings the governing documents to life and connects them to the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and other Carmelite Saints. Through practical examples, Bete emphasizes the power of Secular Carmelite communities and how the community helps form us in holiness. If you are called to Carmel, you are called to community! The book is divided into 11 chapters, perfect for community formation classes or individual reading. It is excellent supplementary reading for Formation I, Year B: History & Charism (in the United States), and for visitors to your community. At the end of each chapter, there are reflection questions. Find the book on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats https://www.timbete.net/carmel-book Resources from the book, including the Rule, Constitutions, and Statutes from many Provinces https://www.timbete.net/carmel Contact Tim: https://www.timbete.net/contact  

Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 433 The Saint of the day is Blessed John Francis Burté and Companions Blessed John Francis Burté's and Companions' Stories These priests were victims of the French Revolution. Though their martyrdom spans a period of several years, they stand together in the Church's memory because they all gave their lives for the same principle. In 1791, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy required all priests to take an oath which amounted to a denial of the faith. Each of these men refused and was executed. John Francis Burté became a Franciscan at 16 and after ordination taught theology to the young friars. Later he was guardian of the large Conventual friary in Paris until he was arrested and held in the convent of the Carmelites. Appolinaris of Posat was born in 1739 in Switzerland. He joined the Capuchins and acquired a reputation as an excellent preacher, confessor, and instructor of clerics. Preparing for his assignment to the East as a missionary, he was in Paris studying Oriental languages when the French Revolution began. Refusing the oath, he was swiftly arrested and detained in the Carmelite convent. Severin Girault, a member of the Third Order Regular, was a chaplain for a group of sisters in Paris. Imprisoned with the others, he was the first to die in the slaughter at the convent. These three plus 182 others—including several bishops and many religious and diocesan priests—were massacred at the Carmelite house in Paris on September 2, 1792. They were beatified in 1926. Born in 1737, John Baptist Triquerie became a Conventual Franciscan. He was the chaplain and confessor of Poor Clare monasteries in three cities before he was arrested for refusing to take the oath. He and 13 diocesan priests were martyred in Laval on January 21, 1794. He was beatified in 1955. Reflection “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” was the motto of the French Revolution. If individuals have “inalienable rights,” as the Declaration of Independence states, these must come not from the agreement of society—which can be very fragile—but directly from God. Do we believe that? Do we act on it?Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Send us Fan MailGod might be trying to get your attention, but not the way you expect. A lot of us assume He shows up in noise, drama, and big spiritual moments. Father Steven Sanchez, a Discalced Carmelite priest, makes the case that the Bible keeps pointing somewhere else: the desert and the mountain, where the heart gets stripped down enough to actually listen. We start with the surprisingly important basics of Carmelite life, from monasteries and friaries to why Carmelites still talk about “cells.” Then we go deep on the two core symbols that shape Carmelite spirituality: the desert as the hard road to freedom and the frontline of temptation, and the mountain as the place of encounter and covenant. Along the way we connect Jesus' forty days in the desert to a spiritual strategy of taking the battle into the enemy's territory, not negotiating on our own. From Mount Sinai's thunder to Elijah's gentle breeze, the conversation keeps circling back to one uncomfortable theme: silence. We talk about how modern stimulus wrecks attention, why contemplative prayer feels hard even when we're sincere, and a simple way to begin training the mind through quiet and breath. We also trace the desert tradition through early Christian hermits and into the Carmelite origin story, including the Rule of St Albert, the crusader background of “allegiance,” and devotion to Mary as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. If you've been craving a more grounded Catholic spirituality, a clearer prayer life, and a real relationship with God, this one will give you language and direction. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Support the showClick here to support the Carmelite Friars!Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here! 

St. Mariam Baouardy, an orphaned servant girl left for dead at thirteen, was nursed back to life by Our Lady herself. After refusing to renounce her Catholic faith, young Mariam Baouardy was attacked and left for dead in the streets of Alexandria — and woke in a cave, healed and cared for by a woman in blue she came to recognize as Our Lady. She went on to join the Carmelites, help found the first Carmelite monastery in Bethlehem, and lived a life of deep, hidden prayer marked by extraordinary mystical gifts. "She called herself 'the Little Nothing.'" ⭐Following St. Mariam's example doesn't have to end when the episode does.  Grab our free Every Day's a Feast Day calendar — a saint and a challenge for every day, right at home: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/pages/every-days-a-feast-day-follow-along  

Sister Loretta-Maria, a traditional Carmelite nun working to establish a new monastery in High Springs, Florida, joins John-Henry Westen to discuss the crisis facing the Church and the response of faithful Catholics who refuse to abandon tradition. She explains how the traditional Carmelite structure preserves the spirituality and practices handed down by St. Teresa of Avila, navigates present confusion with the support of Bishop Athanasius Schneider, and commits to contemplative prayer for priests and bishops.The conversation turns to the division between faithful shepherds and those she describes as "queer-minded bishops", a distinction she uses to highlight the growing conflict over homosexuality, Pope Leo XIV's direction, and the suppression of the Traditional Latin Mass. Sister Loretta-Maria argues that Catholics must remain obedient to God, Sacred Tradition, and authentic Catholic teaching—even when contemporary authorities demand the contrary.She describes the suppression of traditional Catholic practices as a form of modern-day "white martyrdom". She urges Catholics to pray, defend the faith, raise strong Catholic families, and preserve the Latin Mass. She also calls for the Pope and the world's bishops to consecrate Russia specifically to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, arguing that Russia's conversion remains the promised sign that Our Lady's request has been fulfilled.HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=SOCIAL U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TODAY, AUGUST 15, is traditionally the day that Catholics celebrate the feast of the Assumption, that marks Mary, mother of Jesus, being taken both body and soul into heaven. Countless Catholics even before the Church made it official dogma, believed it. What intrigues me, though, is when the Church did make the Assumption dogma. It was confirmed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. So just five years after the end of the Second World War, when millions of Jewish people lost their lives in the Holocaust, the Catholic Church officially endorsed a Jewish woman as Queen of Heaven. There's still controversy about Pius XII, elected Pope in 1939. Some historians argue that he didn't do enough for the Jewish people, while others say he worked behind the scenes to help save Jews from the Nazis. Before he became Pope, as Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, the Vatican Secretary of State, he signed on behalf of his predecessor, Pius XI, the 1933 concordat that guaranteed the rights of the Catholic Church to operate in Germany. What is less well-known is that four years later, horrified by what was happening in Germany – and monitored by Pacelli – the Vatican issued a papal teaching document or encyclical on the situation there. Called With Burning Anxiety, it was written in German, not the usual Latin, and read out in all Catholic Churches in Germany on Palm Sunday, 1937. It endorsed the Jewish scriptures as worthy of respect and condemned the exaltation of race – in other words the Nazi obsession with the Aryan race. This so infuriated the Nazis they tried to confiscate copies of the encyclical. While that document was published by Pius XI and probably authored by Pacelli, it was also probably influenced by the thinking of a Jewish woman, Edith Stein. Stein, a philosopher, converted to Catholicism and became a Carmelite nun. Stein was later arrested and died in Auschwitz in 1942. Her extensive body of writing, including the substantial letter she wrote to Pius XI, warning of the Nazis' desire to destroy the Jews and their idolising of race and power, as well as her thinking on Mary, survives. Stein saw Mary as the ideal woman, nurturing and sustaining others. A woman imitate Mary, not only in the home but in the workplace, Stein wrote, “conscious of where there is want and where help is needed, intervening and regulating as far as it is possible….Then will she, like a good spirit, spread blessing everywhere.”A good spirit that spreads blessings everywhere – that is an aspiration inspired by one Jewish woman writing of another and one I cherish on the feast of the Assumption.

There are many directions we can go with the readings this Sunday. Finding God in the silence is the one that stands out most to me. Elijah experienced God's presence on Mount Horeb in a “tiny whispering voice.” When Jesus dismissed the crowds that he had just fed with bread and fish and sent his disciples away in their boat, he stayed behind on the mountain, alone with God in the silence. When Peter had his attention on Jesus, the waves and wind receded into the background, and he was able to step out in faith onto the water. And when Jesus calmed the seas and joined his disciples in the boat, those twelve men, experiencing the sudden silence, realized who Jesus really was and “did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” God waits for us in the silence. God knows exactly what we need at this moment and desires to give it to us. When we shift our attention from the many distractions that surround us, God's gentle voice speaks to our hearts. Poets understand this better than most. I think the Carmelite nun, Jessica Powers, says it best: The Garments of GodGod 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 nest 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 but 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.                 Jessica Powers

Full Text of Readings Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 115 The Saint of the day is Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross' Story A brilliant philosopher who stopped believing in God when she was 14, Edith Stein was so captivated by reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila that she began a spiritual journey that led to her baptism in 1922. Twelve years later she imitated Saint Teresa by becoming a Carmelite, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Born into a prominent Jewish family in Breslau, Germany—now Wroclaw, Poland—Edith abandoned Judaism in her teens. As a student at the University of Göttingen, she became fascinated by phenomenology–an approach to philosophy. Excelling as a protégé of Edmund Husserl, one of the leading phenomenologists, Edith earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1916. She continued as a university teacher until 1922, when she moved to a Dominican school in Speyer; her appointment as lecturer at the Educational Institute of Munich ended under pressure from the Nazis. After living for four years in the Cologne Carmel, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross moved to the Carmelite monastery in Echt, Netherlands, in 1938. The Nazis occupied that country in 1940. In retaliation for being denounced by the Dutch bishops, the Nazis arrested all Dutch Jews who had become Christians. Teresa Benedicta and her sister Rosa, also a Catholic, died in a gas chamber in Auschwitz on August 9, 1942. Pope John Paul II beatified Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in 1987 and canonized her 12 years later. Reflection The writings of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross fill 17 volumes, many of which have been translated into English. A woman of integrity, she followed the truth wherever it led her. After becoming a Catholic, Edith continued to honor her mother's Jewish faith. Sister Josephine Koeppel, O.C.D., translator of several of Edith's books, sums up this saint with the phrase, “Learn to live at God's hands.”Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Chapter 2 of Called to Carmel, Called to Community: Reflections on the Carmelite Rule, Secular Constitutions, and Statutes by Tim Bete, OCDS. This chapter covers Our Identity, Values, and Commitment (Constitutions, 1 to 9). In Called to Carmel, Called to Community, Tim Bete shares his reflections on the Carmelite Rule, OCDS Constitutions, and Provincial Statutes. The book brings the governing documents to life and connects them to the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and other Carmelite Saints. Through practical examples, Bete emphasizes the power of Secular Carmelite communities and how the community helps form us in holiness. If you are called to Carmel, you are called to community! The book is divided into 11 chapters, perfect for community formation classes or individual reading. It is excellent supplementary reading for Formation I, Year B: History & Charism (in the United States), and for visitors to your community. At the end of each chapter, there are reflection questions. Find the book on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats https://www.timbete.net/carmel-book Resources from the book, including the Rule, Constitutions, and Statutes from many Provinces https://www.timbete.net/carmel Contact Tim: https://www.timbete.net/contact    

Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Titus Brandsma, 1881-1942; born in the Netherlands, and became a Carmelite as a young man; in 1935 he became an ecclesiastical advisor to Catholic journalists; when the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, he was labeled as an enemy; Titus was sent to various concentration camps where he demonstrated charity and concern; in 1942, he was martyred in Dachau Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/27/26 Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Full Text of Readings Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 401 The Saint of the day is Saint Titus Brandsma Saint Titus Brandsma's Story Given the birth name Anno, Brandsma and his siblings grew up on their parents' dairy farm in rural Frisia. As devout Catholics, the family was in the minority among their Calvinist neighbors. From age 11 Anno was educated at a preparatory school for boys who were studying for the priesthood. He joined the Carmelite novitiate in 1898, taking the name Titus Brandsma in honor of his father. In the years following his 1905 ordination, Brandsma received a doctorate in philosophy and initiated a project to translate the works of Saint Teresa of Avila into Dutch. One of the founders of the Catholic University of Nijmegen, he served as a professor of philosophy and the history of mysticism at the school. While there Brandsma was known more for his availability to faculty and students than for his academic achievements. Working as a journalist Brandsma served as ecclesiastical advisor to Catholic journalists. His long-standing opposition to Nazi ideology came to the attention of the Nazis when they invaded the Netherlands in 1940. In direct opposition to the Third Reich, the Conference of Dutch Bishops sent a letter ordering Catholic newspaper editors not to print Nazi propaganda. Fr. Brandsma was arrested while hand delivering the letter in January 1942. After being imprisoned in several other facilities, in June he was taken to the Dachau camp in Germany. During his brief time at Dachau Fr. Brandsma was well-known for his kindness and spiritual support of other prisoners. His death on July 26, 1942 was a result of the Reich's program of medical experimentation on prisoners. He gave a wooden rosary to the nurse who administered the fatal injection; she later became Catholic and testified to his holiness. In recent years Brandsma has been honored by both the cities of Nijmegen and Dachau. Titus Brandsma was beatified in 1985, and canonized in 2022. Reflection Conscience often creates martyrs. That was the case for Titus Brandsma. Many people “go along to get along,” not realizing that by doing so they are destroying themselves internally. In his homily at the canonization Mass, Pope Francis said, “Holiness does not consist of a few heroic gestures, but of many small acts of daily love.”Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Poverty, chastity, obedience, total devotion – and rebellion. Catherine Coldstream talks with Terry Gross about her years as a Carmelite nun and why she left the monastery. Her memoir is ‘Cloistered: My Years as a Nun.' John Powers reviews the series ‘The Hawk,' starring Will Ferrell.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Poverty, chastity, obedience, total devotion – and rebellion. Catherine Coldstream talks with Terry Gross about her years as a Carmelite nun and why she left the monastery. Her memoir is ‘Cloistered: My Years as a Nun.' John Powers reviews the series ‘The Hawk,' starring Will Ferrell.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Friends of the Rosary,Today, July 16th, is the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a feast instituted for the Carmelites in 1332 and extended to the whole Church by Benedict XIII in 1726. It's the feast of the worldwide devotion to the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Brown Scapular.In Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah defended the beauty and purity of Israel's faith in the living God.In the twelfth century, hermits withdrew to that mountain and later founded the Carmelite order, devoted to the contemplative life under the patronage of Mary, the holy Mother of God.Today is the principal feast day of the Carmelite Order.Since the Carmelites were still under constant harassment by the Saracens, the sixth General of the Order, St. Simon Stock, pleaded with the Blessed Virgin for some special sign of her protection. On July 16, 1251, she designated the scapular as the special mark of her maternal love.The scapular is common to many religious Orders, but it is a special feature of the Carmelites. A smaller form of the scapular is given to lay persons in order that they may share in the great graces associated with it.This sacramental is a sign of one's decision to follow Jesus, as Mary did, the perfect model for all the disciples of Christ. It's also an expression of our belief that we will meet God in eternal life, aided by Mary's intercession and prayer.While sacramentals prepare us to receive grace if we are in the right disposition, the Church emphasizes that only sacraments can confer sanctifying grace.The Scapular is an external sign of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession.In New York City, there is Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine in East Harlem, established in 1881 and home to one of the oldest festivals in America. Also, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, annually holds the Festival of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Paulinus of Nola (Festa Del Giglio).Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google PlayAve Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠June 16, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614–1691) survived the horrors of the Thirty Years' War, lived with chronic pain, and yet discovered how to transform an ordinary monastery kitchen into holy ground. In this episode, we explore how an uneducated Carmelite lay brother became one of Christianity's most beloved mystics by achieving a deep union with God not with extraordinary visions, but through the quiet faithfulness of washing dishes, mending sandals, and performing every task with love. Discover why The Practice of the Presence of God has inspired Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians for centuries, including Pope Leo XIV.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Father Michael-Joseph Paris joins Deacon Patrick Conley to discuss Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Carmelite Spirituality (7:25) origins of the Brown Scapular. Giacomo - I was in Israel a few years ago at Mt Carmel at an Equestrian event. Home parish was Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Melrose park. Bishop asked me to read one day. I was moved to be in the real Our Lady of Mt Carmel that day. (16:51) Rose - Wanted to know if Father believes that just by wearing the scapular when you pass, the virgin of Mt Carmel would take you out of purgatory the following Saturday. Is that true? (20:19) Break 1 (25:16) Sarah - I had fallen away from church. Hadn't worn a scapular for years. My mom came to see me and brought me a scapular. Threw it on the counter. Months later, put it on a cabinet and went to bed. Sunday, I heard, 'Get up and go to church.' Heard it twice. Put pillow over my head, but heard again. Finally got up and heard 'put the scapular on.' Burned around my neck. Went to church. During benediction, heard St. Michael prayer. Landlord met with me, dog bit me at his house, doctor said scapular saved me from the bite (jugular). (33:09) Paulin - Sabbatine privilege. I believe you have to be invested in the scapular, is that correct? Shirley - I was enrolled with the scapular by a priest and I consecrate myself to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel daily. Just want to share that. (37:22) Break 2 Elements of Carmelite Spirituality. Great saints of the Carmelite order. Third order Carmelites. (47:24) Carmel - My mom called me Carmel because I was born July 16th. She couldn't have children and was devoted to our lady of mt Carmel. Always wore scapular. Finally expecting a baby and it was me. I was Christened on St. Ann day. After hearing this program, I was thinking...wow, maybe I should start wearing it again. Resources: Flos Carmeli: A Guide to Marian Consecration Through the Brown Scapular https://www.icspublications.org/products/flos-carmeli-a-guide-to-marian-consecration-through-the-brown-scapular

Send us Fan MailA mountain in the Bible becomes a roadmap for modern prayer. We follow the story of Our Lady of Mount Carmel through Scripture, tradition, and lived Catholic devotion, starting with Mount Carmel as the place where Elijah calls a wavering people back to God and the Lord answers with power and mercy. From that dramatic moment to the “still, small voice,” Carmel becomes a school for anyone who wants to trust God again when faith feels strained. We also dig into Carmelite spirituality, the rise of the Carmelite Order, and why Mary is honored under this title as a mother, teacher, and guide in contemplative prayer. If you have ever felt distracted, spiritually dry, or unsure how to pray beyond quick words, the Carmelite approach offers a simple but demanding invitation: show up, make space for silence, and let God work in the hidden places of the heart. Then we unpack the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, including its origin in Carmelite tradition, the famous promise associated with St. Simon Stock, and the crucial point many people miss: the scapular is not a charm or a shortcut. It is a sacramental sign that calls for real conversion, daily prayer, love for the Eucharist, and a steady “yes” to Christ with Mary's intercession. We close with the meaning of the July 16 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and how this devotion can shape an intentional Catholic prayer life today. If this helped you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs encouragement in prayer, and leave a review so more people can find the Carmelite path to deeper trust.Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsChat with US 24/7 Ask us anything https://chatting.page/mjxs9aerrtgm3lmpndlcepmbyosntrjnDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us ...

Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; patroness of the Carmelite order; it was on Mount Carmel that God publicly answered the prophet Elijah’s prayer, consumed the offering, and confirmed He was a living God; centuries later, in the 12th century after Christ, a group of hermits gathered on the mountain and committed their lives to prayer and penance, forming the Carmelite Order Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/16/26 Gospel; Matthew 11:28-30

July 16 is the celebration of a prominent title of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The devotion traces back to 12th-century hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. She is especially known as the patroness of the Carmelite Order and the Brown Scapular. The title originates from a group of Christian hermits led by St. Berthold (1140-95) and St. Brocard (1170-1231) who settled on Mount Carmel—the biblical site associated with the Prophet Elijah (900-850 BC)—with the blessing of St. Albert, the Latin Patriarch of of Jerusalem (1149-1214). These hermits built a chapel dedicated to Mary and eventually became known as the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. They viewed Mary as their spiritual mother and the "Lady of the place," integrating the contemplation of Elijah with devotion to the Virgin. Central to this devotion is the Brown Scapular. According to Carmelite tradition, Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock (1165-1265), a leader of the order, on July 16, 1251, and presented him with the scapular. She promised that those who die wearing it would be preserved from eternal fire. The scapular serves not as a charm, but as a sacramental sign of Mary's protection and a commitment to living a life of prayer and devotion. Feast Days associated with Carmelites: St. Berthold (March 29) St. Simon Stock (May 16) Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) St. Brocard (September 2) St. Albert of Jerusalem (September 14) Feast of All Carmelite Saints (November 14) Commemoration of All Carmelite Souls (November 15). Books about St. Simon Stock available at https://amzn.to/4hferyj Lives of Saints books at https://amzn.to/4bNHcP9 Carmelite books at https://amzn.to/44t8Mxh Mount Carmel books at https://amzn.to/4wQ6Uee ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: The Saint of the Day podcast (St. Bonaventure, 15jul2024) Good Catholic and The Catholic Company; Super Saints; Saint Of The Day podcast with Mike Roberts by Covenant Network (ourcatholicradio.org) Memorial Of Saint Bonaventure (July 15, 2025); Catholic Saints & Feasts of the Liturgical Year (15jul2019) Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial (My Catholic Life); Catholic Saints & Feasts, Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor, July 15, 2025. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr Peter George Flynn presents on St Teresa of Avila's devotion to St Joseph — and her understanding of why he alone among the saints has no particular patronage, because he can be called on in every kind of need. The episode closes with the story of a destitute Carmelite convent in Gallipoli, Italy, where […] L'articolo Catechesis – Calling on St Joseph in Every Need – Fr Peter George Flynn OFMConv proviene da Radio Maria.

Discover the profound spiritual legacy of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in this moving episode of our 'Teach Us to Pray' series. Fr. Larry Kaufmann, C.Ss.R., explores her remarkable journey from a brilliant philosopher to a Carmelite nun, tracing how her lifelong pursuit of truth led her to embrace the cross and ultimate sacrifice. We reflect on her powerful 'Prayer of Abandonment' to find inspiration in surrender and deep trust in God's guidance through life's darkest hours.

Chapter 1 of Called to Carmel, Called to Community: Reflections on the Carmelite Rule, Secular Constitutions, and Statutes by Tim Bete, OCDS. This chapter covers the Rule of St. Albert. In Called to Carmel, Called to Community, Tim Bete shares his reflections on the Carmelite Rule, OCDS Constitutions, and Provincial Statutes. The book brings the governing documents to life and connects them to the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and other Carmelite Saints. Through practical examples, Bete emphasizes the power of Secular Carmelite communities and how the community helps form us in holiness. If you are called to Carmel, you are called to community!   The book is divided into 11 chapters, perfect for community formation classes or individual reading. It is excellent supplementary reading for Formation I, Year B: History & Charism (in the United States), and for visitors to your community. At the end of each chapter, there are reflection questions.  Find the book on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats https://www.timbete.net/carmel-book Resources from the book, including the Rule, Constitutions, and Statutes from many Provinces https://www.timbete.net/carmel Contact Tim: https://www.timbete.net/contact  

7-5-26: God Bless America - Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles by

Episode 1034 (15:04) In this episode: Dcn. Brett is preaching; Story of a conversation with a Carmelite nun; Original Sin and it's effects on everyone and everything; We are born broken in to a broken world; This calls us to look in ourselves; Moving out of the role of victimhood to sinner

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings chapters 17-19; Colossians 2 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible on this 16th day of June, Day 167 in our journey through the Scriptures. I'm Hunter, your Bible reading coach, and today we open our hearts together as we read through First Kings chapters 17 to 19 and Colossians chapter 2. As we witness Elijah's dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel and Paul's stirring reminder to hold fast to Christ, we'll reflect on what it means to listen for God's voice in a noisy world. Join us as we learn to be still, to receive, and to know that the God who answers is with us—calling us to trust, to abide, and to walk in His peace. Let's begin today's journey with open ears and expectant hearts. TODAY'S DEVOTION: God answers, but are we listening? The contest was to see which God would answer with fire. And today's reading shows us the results. Amidst all the rattle and hum and the fits and fury, they just couldn't conjure up the results that our hearts are calling for—the hope, the light, the peace, the victory that we were frankly made for. The writers made it clear: some gods do not answer, but there is a God who does. On top of Mount Carmel today, there is a monastery in the Carmelite order. One of the unique things about some of the communities of the Carmelite order is that they take a vow of silence. And maybe it's a fitting thought that there, on the top of Mount Carmel today, there are people who are in prayer and who are being silent. They're being silent not because there's nothing to hear or listen to. They're being silent for that very reason—because there is something to hear. There is a God. And our God speaks. He has an answer for our souls, an answer for the questions of our heart, an answer to our burden and our brokenness. There is a God who answers, and he doesn't require our fits and our fury. He doesn't need us to conjure up anything. Ours is to be still and know, to be still and listen to the God who's present, the one who's with us, the one who is victorious—the God who answers. The prayer of my own soul today is that I will learn to listen, that I'll learn to quiet my heart and trust. That I'll learn that he is here with me even now. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family. That's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) was one of the early Capuchins, the first Capuchin to be named a Doctor of the Church, and the third Franciscan so named, after St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Bonaventure. Just as the Discalced Carmelites were reformers within the Carmelite order, the Capuchins were reformers within the Franciscan order. St. Lawrence was also a popular preacher, a genius scholar, with a command of at least 10 languages, and the leading Catholic apologist of his day. Links Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Lawrence of Brindisi (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9578&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2658399 Was the Date for Christmas Originally a Pagan Holiday? Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/fzjIsL1FGEc?si=P6Yt8WvH-BEjQ3E0 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/    

Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 361 The Saint of the day is Saint Joachima Saint Joachima's Story Born into an aristocratic family in Barcelona, Spain, Saint Joachima was 12 when she expressed a desire to become a Carmelite nun. But her life took an altogether different turn at 16 with her marriage to a young lawyer, Theodore de Mas. Both deeply devout, they became Secular Franciscans. During their 17 years of married life they raised eight children. The normalcy of their family life was interrupted when Napoleon invaded Spain. Saint Joachima had to flee with the children; Theodore remained behind and died. Though Joachima re-experienced a desire to enter a religious community, she attended to her duties as a mother. At the same time, the young widow led a life of austerity and chose to wear the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis as her ordinary dress. She spent much time in prayer and visiting the sick. Four years later, with some of her children now married and younger ones under their care, Joachima confessed her desire to a priest to join a religious order. With his encouragement, she established the Carmelite Sisters of Charity. In the midst of the fratricidal wars occurring at the time, Joachima was briefly imprisoned and later exiled to France for several years. Sickness ultimately compelled her to resign as superior of her order. Over the next four years she slowly succumbed to paralysis, which caused her to die by inches. At her death in 1854 at the age of 71, Joachima was known and admired for her high degree of prayer, deep trust in God, and selfless charity. Saint Joachima was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1940, and canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1959. Her liturgical feast is celebrated on August 28. Reflection Saint Joachima understands loss. She lost the home where her children grew up, her husband, and finally her health. As the power to move and care for her own needs slowly ebbed away, this woman who had all her life cared for others became wholly dependent; she required help with life's simplest tasks. When our own lives go spinning out of control, when illness and bereavement and financial hardship strike, all we can do is cling to the belief that sustained Joachima: God watches over us always.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Today’s Topics: Father Robert Elias joins Terry 1) Gospel – John 19:25-34 – Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom He loved.  He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to His Mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His Head, He handed over the Spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His Legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into His Side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.   Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church O Blessed Mother, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) In Part 2, Terry and Father Robert continue their discussion on Saint John of the Cross and his method of Discernment of Spirits

Full Text of Readings Pentecost Sunday Lectionary: 62, 63 The Saint of the day is Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi's Story Mystical ecstasy is the elevation of the spirit to God in such a way that the person is aware of this union with God while both internal and external senses are detached from the sensible world. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi was so generously given this special gift of God that she is called the “ecstatic saint.” Catherine de' Pazzi was born into a noble family in Florence in 1566. The normal course would have been for her to have married into wealth and enjoyed comfort, but Catherine chose to follow her own path. At 9, she learned to meditate from the family confessor. She made her first Communion at the then-early age of 10, and made a vow of virginity one month later. At 16, Catherine entered the Carmelite convent in Florence because she could receive Communion daily there. Catherine had taken the name Mary Magdalene and had been a novice for a year when she became critically ill. Death seemed near, so her superiors let her make her profession of vows in a private ceremony from a cot in the chapel. Immediately after, Mary Magdalene fell into an ecstasy that lasted about two hours. This was repeated after Communion on the following 40 mornings. These ecstasies were rich experiences of union with God and contained marvelous insights into divine truths. As a safeguard against deception and to preserve the revelations, her confessor asked Mary Magdalene to dictate her experiences to sister secretaries. Over the next six years, five large volumes were filled. The first three books record ecstasies from May of 1584 through Pentecost week the following year. This week was a preparation for a severe five-year trial. The fourth book records that trial and the fifth is a collection of letters concerning reform and renewal. Another book, Admonitions, is a collection of her sayings arising from her experiences in the formation of women religious. The extraordinary was ordinary for this saint. She read the thoughts of others and predicted future events. During her lifetime, Mary Magdalene appeared to several persons in distant places and cured a number of sick people. It would be easy to dwell on the ecstasies and pretend that Mary Magdalene only had spiritual highs. This is far from true. It seems that God permitted her this special closeness to prepare her for the five years of desolation that followed when she experienced spiritual dryness. She was plunged into a state of darkness in which she saw nothing but what was horrible in herself and all around her. She had violent temptations and endured great physical suffering. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi died in 1607 at age 41, and was canonized in 1669. Her liturgical feast is celebrated on May 25. Reflection Intimate union, God's gift to mystics, is a reminder to all of us of the eternal happiness of union he wishes to give us. The cause of mystical ecstasy in this life is the Holy Spirit, working through spiritual gifts. The ecstasy occurs because of the weakness of the body and its powers to withstand the divine illumination, but as the body is purified and strengthened, ecstasy no longer occurs. See Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, and John of the Cross' Dark Night of the Soul, for more about various aspects of ecstasies.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

This week Father Daniel Chowning shares profound insights from St. John of the Cross, revealing the path to healing that's rooted in God's merciful love—because true healing begins when we recognize our wounds and invite God into them.If you've ever struggled with distorted views of love, or feel stuck in the past, this episode offers practical steps to rediscover authentic love, heal old wounds, and live more fully in God's grace.Father Daniel, a Carmelite friar with decades of ministry experience, including studying in Spain, living in Rome, and authoring Healed by Love—breaks down the profound relationship between prayer, self-knowledge, and love's transformative power. You'll discover how the dark night isn't just a metaphor, but a universal stage of healing where God's love penetrates our deepest brokenness. We explore how love as a self-giving act aligns with Jesus's example, and why learning to love as God loves is our lifelong vocation; one that's impossible without divine grace.You can find Fr. Daniel's book here.

Today’s Topics: Father Robert Elias joins Terry 1) Gospel – John 16:29-33 – The disciples said to Jesus, “Now You are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that You know everything and that You do not need to have anyone question You. Because of this we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do You believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave Me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Memorial of Saint John I. Pope and Martyr Saint John, pray for us!Bishop Sheen quote of the day2, 3, 4) Terry and Father Robert discuss Saint John of the Cross and his method of Discernment of Spirits

Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Lectionary: 293 The Saint of the day is Our Lady of Fatima The Story of Our Lady of Fatima Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children–Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos–received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near Fatima, a city 110 miles north of Lisbon. Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, for the end of World War I, for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. Mary gave the children three secrets. Following the deaths of Francisco and Jacinta in 1919 and 1920 respectively, Lucia revealed the first secret in 1927. It concerned devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The second secret was a vision of hell. When Lucia grew up she became a Carmelite nun and died in 2005 at the age of 97. Pope John Paul II directed the Holy See's Secretary of State to reveal the third secret in 2000; it spoke of a “bishop in white” who was shot by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows into him. Many people linked this vision to the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981. The feast of Our Lady of Fatima was approved by the local bishop in 1930; it was added to the Church's worldwide calendar in 2002. Reflection The message of Fatima is simple: Pray. Unfortunately, some people—not Sister Lucia—have distorted these revelations, making them into an apocalyptic event for which they are now the only reliable interpreters. They have, for example, claimed that Mary's request that the world be consecrated to her has been ignored. Sister Lucia agreed that Pope John Paul II's public consecration in St. Peter's Square on March 25, 1984, fulfilled Mary's request. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prepared a June 26, 2000, document explaining the “third secret.” Mary is perfectly honored when people generously imitate her response “Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38). Mary can never be seen as a rival to Jesus or to the Church's teaching authority, as exercised by the college of bishops united with the bishop of Rome.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Healing isn't about changing your personality. It's about being freed from the compulsions that drive it. In this final episode of the histrionic series, Dr. Greg explores what the path from performance to presence actually looks like — why hiddenness feels terrifying but works like medicine, and why the deepest fear underneath this pattern can only be answered by God. Key Topics: Why healing doesn't mean losing what makes you magnetic — and what actually does need to change How a room falling silent can feel like ceasing to exist — and why that's the wound, not the cure Why hiddenness feels like punishment but acts like medicine What it means when provoking a reaction feels more real than having a real conversation Why no amount of being seen by other people ever quite reaches the thing underneath Why real connection becomes possible only when you stop needing to be the most interesting person in the room Learn More: Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Being Human series on the Histrionic Defense Patterns: Ep. #276: Back to Eden: Overcoming the Fear of Being Alone Through Divine Love Ep. #275: Hiding the Real You: The Histrionic Battle for Intimacy Ep. #274: To Be Loved Is to Perform: Inside the Histrionic Compulsion for Attention and Validation Previous episode on attachment theory: Ep. #63: Attachment Theory: What It Is, What It Isn't, and How It Affects Your Relationships Previous episodes on parts work (IFS): Ep. #34: A New Theory! w/ a Catholic Lens Ep. #35: Why Do I Feel Like I Have Conflicting Thoughts? w/ Dr. Peter Malinoski The Jeweler's Shop by Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) — the play Dr. Greg references on the theater of the word and the freedom of love God Is Love: St. Teresa Margaret — Her Life — the book Dr. Greg discovered in college about the Carmelite mystic whose life of radical hiddenness is a model for this healing path Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity: The Complete Works, Volume One — the Carmelite mystic Dr. Greg credits with introducing him to St. Teresa Margaret Summit of Integration 2026 — Coming to Dallas this October, celebrating the Year of John Paul II Start of the Being Human series on the Borderline Defense Patterns: Ep. #269: BORDERLINE: The Push-Pull Between a Fear of Abandonment and Annihilation Start of the Being Human series on the Dependent Defense Patterns: Ep. #265: Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing Start of the Being Human series on the Narcissistic Defense Patterns: Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Out of three hundred episodes of the Lila Rose Show, we've never interviewed a religious sister. Today, Sister Maria Goretti, a Carmelite sister, joins us to answer all the pressing questions: Why wear the habit? What is it like to be married to Jesus? What does it look like for Jesus to provide for all your needs? You won't want to miss this episodeCheck out the Carmelites: https://carmelitesistersocd.com/NEW: Check out our Merch store! https://shop.lilaroseshow.com/Join our new Patreon community! https://patreon.com/lilaroseshow - We'll have BTS footage, ad-free episodes, and early access to our upcoming guests.A big thanks to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/Check out our sponsors:-EveryLife Women: https://www.everylife.com/lila Buy diapers and women's health products from an amazing company and use code LILA to get 10% off!-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee and Save up to 25% with promo code 'LILA' & get a free gift: http://www.sevenweekscoffee.com-Presidio Healthcare: Healthcare and doctors who share your values. Visit: https://www.presidiocare.com/lila -We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA.