October 14, 2025 • 39 mins
We trace Carmel from Elijah’s fire on Mount Carmel to Teresa, John, and Thérèse, showing how silence, detachment, and love shape a steady allegiance to Christ. Along the way we share how Our Lady’s scapular, community life, and simple daily prayer can anchor an ordinary life in God.
• origins on Mount Carmel and the Rule of Saint Albert
• Elijah as spiritual father and model of zeal
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the brown scapular
• allegiance to Jesus through contemplative prayer
• Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle and perseverance
• John of the Cross and purification in the dark night
• Thérèse’s Little Way and holiness in small acts
• community shaped by silence, charity, and intercession
• practical steps to begin a Carmelite practice
• resources, retreats, and pilgrimages with Journeys of Faith
Visit our website today and take the first step on this journey of faith
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Welcome to Journeys of Faith.
Brother Joseph Frey Aldenhovenhere.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you,unraveling the mystery of
Carmelite spirituality.
In the quiet corners of Catholictradition where the echoes of
ancient prayers mingle with theflicker of votive candles, there
lies a spiritual path that feelsboth timeless and deeply
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personal Carmelite spirituality.
For those of us at Journeys ofFaith, this sacred tradition
isn't just a historicalfootnote, it's a living,
breathing invitation toencounter God in the stillness
of the heart.
Founded in 1980 by Bob and PennyLord, after their life-changing
discovery of the Eucharisticmiracle of Lanciano, our
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ministry has spent over fourdecades walking alongside
pilgrim seekers and believers,sharing the transformative power
of faith through media, books,and guided pilgrimages.
Carmelite spirituality with itsroots in the hermitic life of
Mount Carmel and the profoundteachings of saints like Teresa
of Avila and John of the CrossCross offers a roadmap to
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intimacy with God that feelsalmost countercultural in our
noisy, distracted world.
It's a call to silence, tocontemplation, to a love so deep
it can only be forged in thequiet of prayer.
As we've journeyed through thesacred sites of Europe and the
Holy Land, and as we've pouredour hearts into the resources
and retreats at our holy familymission in Arkansas, we've seen
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how this spirituality resonateswith so many families, parish
groups, and faith leaders alikewho crave a deeper connection to
the divine.
Bob and Penny often sharedstories of their own return to
Catholic devotion, sparked byloss and sustained by miraculous
encounters.
Their journey mirrors theCarmelite way, a relentless
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pursuit of God's presence, evenwhen the path feels shrouded in
mystery.
In this article, we'll dive intothe essence of Carmelite
spirituality, exploring itsorigins, its pillars of prayer
and detachment, and how it caninspire us today.
Whether you're a lifelongCatholic or simply curious about
the faith, we invite you to joinus on this exploration, a
journey of the soul guided bytradition and fueled by a
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longing for the eternal.
Roots on Mount Carmel.
Nestled in the rugged terrain ofnorthern Israel, Mount Carmel
stands as a silent witness tothe ancient stirrings of
Carmelite spirituality, atradition that feels as old as
the windswept cliffs themselves.
This is where the story begins.
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In a place steeped in biblicalweight, where the prophet Elijah
once called down fire fromheaven in a showdown of divine
power against the priests ofBaal.
It's a landscape that hums withthe raw energy of faith, a
fitting cradle for aspirituality that would grow to
emphasize solitude,contemplation, and an unyielding
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devotion to God.
The Carmelites trace theirorigins to a group of hermits
who, in the twelfth century,sought refuge on this sacred
mountain.
These early seekers weren't justfleeing the chaos of the world,
they were chasing somethingdeeper, a direct encounter with
the divine.
Inspired by Elijah's fierceprophetic spirit, they built
their lives around prayer andsilence, dwelling in caves and
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small cells, their days a rhythmof solitude and communal
worship.
They saw themselves asinheritors of Elijah's mantle,
called to stand in the presenceof God, and intercede for a
world in desperate need ofgrace.
What strikes me most about theseearly Carmelites is their
radical commitment todetachment.
They weren't just physicallyisolated on a mountain, they
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sought an inner wilderness, astripping away of ego and
distraction to make space forGod alone.
Their rule of Saint Albert,drawn up around 1209, formalized
this way of life, urging them tomeditate day and night on the
law of the Lord.
It's a call that feels almostcountercultural today, a
reminder that true intimacy withGod often requires us to step
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away from the noise and into thequiet.
Mount Carmel then isn't just ageographical anchor for
Carmelite spirituality, it's asymbol of the interior journey.
It represents a return to theessentials, to a faith that
burns like Elijah's fire,uncompromising, transformative,
and alive.
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As I reflect on this foundation,I can't help but feel a pull to
examine my own life.
Where are the places I need toretreat to to hear that still
small voice?
The Carmelites remind us thatthe mountain isn't just a place
on a map, it's a state of theheart, always waiting for us to
climb.
Join us on a journey of faithwith Carmelite Spirituality.
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Hey there, fellow seekers of thedivine.
At Journeys of Faith, we're notjust about uncovering the
profound mysteries of Carmelitespirituality.
We're inviting you to walk thissacred path with us.
Inspired by our founders Bob andPenny Lore's transformative
encounter with the EucharisticMiracle of Lanciano, we've spent
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over four decades craftingresources and experiences to
deepen your Catholic faith.
Now it's your turn to dive in.
Here's how you can embark onthis spiritual adventure with
us.
Explore our resources, grab acopy of our books or DVDs on
saints, Eucharistic miracles,and devotions perfect for
personal reflection or parishstudy groups.
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And we have many items thatcover Carmelite spiritually,
books, scapulars, etc.
Join a pilgrimage, experiencethe holy sites of Europe and the
Holy Land firsthand with ourguided pilgrimages where faith
comes alive.
Visit Holy Family Mission.
Attend a retreat or conferenceat our Arkansas base for a
heart-to-heart encounter withCatholic tradition.
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Connect digitally, stream ourEWTN episodes or audiobooks to
keep the inspiration flowingwherever you are.
Let's unravel the beauty ofCarmelite spirituality together.
Visit our website today and takethe first step on this journey
of faith.
Prophet Elijah, spiritual fatherof Carmel.
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Let's step back into the rugged,windswept landscapes of ancient
Israel where the fiery spirit ofthe Prophet Elijah blazes like a
beacon through the pages ofScripture.
If you've ever felt the pull ofa deeper, more intense
connection to God, Elijah'sstory is your roadmap.
This isn't just history, it'sthe beating heart of Carmelite
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spirituality, a tradition rootedin the kind of raw, unyielding
faith that can move mountains,or in Elijah's case, call down
fire from heaven.
Picture this, Mount Carmel, ajagged cliff overlooking the
Mediterranean, where Elijahstood alone against four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal, firstKings eighteen twenty to forty.
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The odds were laughable, thestakes apocalyptic.
Yet with a prayer and a trust inGod so fierce it could shatter
stone, Elijah proved the powerof the one true God as flames
consumed his water soaked altar.
This wasn't just a showdown, itwas a defining moment of divine
encounter, a testament to a lifewholly surrendered to the
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Almighty.
For the Carmelites, Elijah isn'tjust a figure from the past.
He's the spiritual father whoseradical intimacy with God sets
the tone for their entire way oflife.
Elijah's solitude on MountCarmel speaks volumes.
He wasn't a man of crowds orcomfort, he sought God in the
silence, in the still smallvoice after the storm, 1 Kings
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19 12.
This is the essence of Carmelitespirituality, a relentless
pursuit of God throughcontemplation, often in the
quiet corners of the soul.
It's not about grand gesturesfor the world to see, but about
an interior journey, a burningdesire to hear God's whisper
amid life's chaos.
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Elijah teaches us that truestrength isn't in noise or
numbers, but in standing firm infaith, even when you're the only
one left standing.
And then there's his zeal.
Elijah didn't just pray, helived his faith with a ferocity
that challenged kings andreshaped nations for those drawn
to the Carmelite path.
This zeal translates into a lifeof devotion and sacrifice, a
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call to be prophets in our owntime, whether through quiet
prayer or bold witness.
His legacy on Mount Carmelbecame the spiritual bedrock for
the Carmelite order, a placewhere generations of seekers
would return to drink from thewell of his example, finding in
solitude and fervor a directline to the divine.
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If you've ever felt the pull ofa deeper, more contemplative
faith, you've likely sensed herpresence, even if you didn't
know her name.
She's the patroness of theCarmelite order, the one who
tradition tells us appeared toSt.
Simon's stock in the thirteenthcentury, offering the brown
scapular as a as a sign of herprotection and a reminder of
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devotion.
But she's more than a historicalfootnote or a devotional symbol.
She's a guide, a mother, whoseintercession has shaped
centuries of prayerful soulsseeking God's face.
Picture this Mount Carmelitself, that rugged, sacred hill
in the Holy Land where theprophet Elijah once called down
fire from heaven.
It's a place of raw, untamedfaith where the Carmelites trace
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their spiritual lineage back tothose early hermits who lived in
caves praying in solitude.
Our lady of Mount Carmelembodies that same fierce, quiet
strength.
She's often depicted holding thechild Jesus, a reminder that her
role is to lead us to Him, topoint us toward the heart of
divine love.
Wearing the scapular, countlessfaithful have felt her mantle
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over them, a shield againstspiritual despair, a nudge
toward perseverance.
Her feast day, july sixteenth,isn't just a date on the
liturgical calendar, it's a callto remember what the Carmelites
hold dear, a life of prayer, oflistening to God in the
stillness, of trusting in Mary'sintercession when the world
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feels too heavy.
I've heard stories, personal,raw accounts from people who've
turned to her in moments of lossor doubt, only to find an
unexplainable peace.
It's as if she whispers throughthe ages, Keep keep climbing the
mountain, Einseen Saichun.
I'm with you.
Her presence in Carmelitespirituality isn't just
tradition, it's a lived reality,a thread that weaves through
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every silent prayer and everylonging for heaven.
And let's not forget the brownscapular itself.
It's not a magic talisman, nomatter what some might think,
it's a commitment, a wearablepromise to live out the gospel
with Mary as our model.
The Carmelites teach us thatwearing it means embracing a
life of humility and service, ofletting go of self to make room
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for God.
It's a small, tangible thingthat carries a weighty spiritual
truth.
We're never alone in thisjourney.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel walkswith us, her guidance as steady
as the mountain that bears hername.
Allegiance to Jesus Christ theCarmelite Way.
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Let's dive into the heart ofCarmelite spirituality where
allegiance to Jesus Christ isn'tjust a pledge, it's a lived,
breathing reality woven into thefabric of every moment.
The Carmelites with their rootsstretching back to the hermits
of Mount Carmel in the twelfthcentury have always been about
one thing a radical, unyieldingcommitment to Christ through
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prayer, silence, and sacrifice.
This isn't a spirituality forthe faint of heart.
It's a call to strip away thenoise of the world and stand
before the Lord in raw,unfiltered devotion.
Picture this a life where everythought, every action is an
offering to Jesus.
For the Carmelites, thisallegiance manifests in their
deep contemplative prayer, oftencentered on the Eucharist and
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the Blessed Virgin Mary as theirguide.
They don't just pray, they dwellin prayer, seeking an intimate
union with Christ thattransforms the soul.
It's no accident that saintslike Teresa of Avila and John of
the Cross emerged from thistradition.
Their writings brimming withpassion and grit reveal a love
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for Jesus so intense it's almostpalpable.
Teresa's interior castle isn'tjust a book, it's a roadmap to
surrendering every corner ofyour being to him.
But here's the thing Carmeliteallegiance isn't locked in a
cloister, it's a fire that burnsfor the world.
Their devotion to Christ compelsthem to intercede for others, to
carry the weight of humanity'sstruggles and their silent,
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hidden prayers.
Think of it as a spiritualundercover mission while the
world spins in chaos, they'requietly fighting battles on
their knees, aligning everyheartbeat with the sacred heart
of Jesus.
This is faith with muscle, aloyalty to Christ that doesn't
just comfort but challenges,pushing you to love harder,
serve deeper, and pray withoutceasing.
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Prayer and contemplation at theheart of Carmel.
Let's dive deep into the soul ofCarmelite spirituality, where
prayer and contemplation aren'tjust practices, they're the very
air that Carmelites breathe.
If you've ever felt the worldpressing in, drowning out that
cop that quiet voice of God, theCarmelite way offers a lifeline.
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It's not about escaping life'schaos, it's about finding the
still sacred center within it.
Think of it as a spiritual resetbutton, one that's been honed
over centuries by saints likeTeresa of Avila and John of the
Cross, who didn't just pray,they wrestled with the divine in
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the silence of their hearts.
At its core, Carmelitespirituality is about intimacy
with God through contemplativeprayer.
This isn't the kind of prayerwhere you rattle off a list of
requests and call it a day.
No, it's a slow, deliberateopening of the self, a sitting
with the Lord in a space beyondwords.
Teresa herself described it asnothing else than a close
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sharing between friends, aconversation where listening
often matters more thanspeaking.
Imagine sitting with a lifelongcompanion where silence speaks
louder than any monologue.
That's the Carmelite ideal, afriendship with God that
transforms every corner of yourbeing.
But don't mistake this forpassivity.
Contemplation in the Carmelitetradition is active in its
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surrender.
It's a discipline, a dailycommitment to carve out space
for the divine, even when theworld demands your attention.
John of the Cross, with his rawpoetic intensity, wrote of the
dark night of the soul, whereGod purifies through absence,
stripping away distractions toreveal his presence.
It's not always comfortable,sometimes it's a grind, but it's
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in this but it's in thisrefining fire that faith grows
roots.
For Carmelites, prayer isn't aluxury, it's the forge where the
soul is shaped.
This emphasis on contemplationalso spills over into a life of
simplicity and detachment.
Carmelites aren't chasingworldly noise, they're letting
go of it to hear God's whisper,whether in a cloistered
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monastery or in the bustle oflay life.
This call to interior silence isuniversal.
It's a reminder that you don'tneed to climb a mountain, though
Mount Carmel's legacy loomslarge to find God.
He's in the quiet of your heart,waiting for you to stop,
breathe, and listen.
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The interior journey frommeditation to mystical union.
Let's dive into the heart ofCarmelite spirituality, where
the soul embarks on atransformative trek from the
quiet of meditation to theprofound depths of mystical
union with God.
Picture this as a hidden path,one not paved with you know neon
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signs or easy answers, but withsilent struggle and an
unrelenting pull toward thedivine.
The Carmelites, you know, withtheir roots in the rugged
solitude of Mount Carmel, teachus that this journey isn't a
weekend getaway.
It's a lifelong pilgrimage,often marked by both searing
desolation and blinding glimpsesof eternity.
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Start with meditation, thegateway.
It's not just sittingcross-legged with a vague sense
of peace.
No, for the Carmelites, inspiredby giants like Saint Teresa of
Avila and Saint John of theCross, meditation is an active,
deliberate turning inward.
You're not escaping the world,you're confronting it, your
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distractions, your doubts, yourrestless heart, and laying them
bare before God.
It's raw, it's real.
Saint Teresa described this asentering the interior castle, a
labyrinth of the soul where eachroom draws you closer to the
center, to him.
But don't expect instantgratification.
This stage is work.
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It's showing up day after day topray, to listen, even when the
silence feels like a void.
Then comes contemplation, theslow shift where you stop doing
and start being.
Here, words fall away, you'renot steering the ship anymore.
God is.
It's less about your effort andmore about surrender, letting
the divine take over theconversation.
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Saint John of the Cross with hisstark poetry calls this the dark
night, a stripping away ofeverything you thought you knew
about faith, about yourself.
It's unsettling.
You might feel abandoned, lostin a fog of spiritual dryness,
but this is where the Carmelitesinsist the real growth happens.
In the darkness God purifies,refines, prepares you for
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something greater, and thatsomething greater, mystical
union.
This isn't a Hollywood endingwith angelic choirs on cue, it's
quieter, deeper, a oneness withGod that defies description.
Saint Teresa likened it to amarriage, a total merging of
wills, where the soul no longerseeks itself, but only the
beloved.
It's rare, elusive, and notsomething you can force.
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But the Carmelites believe it'sthe ultimate destination of the
spiritual life, the point whereevery longing, every sacrifice
finds its fulfillment in God'sembrace.
This interior journey isn'tlinear.
You'll circle back, stumble, andstart again.
Some days meditation feels likescaling a cliff with no rope.
Others, contemplation offers afleeting taste of heaven.
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Yet, through it all, Carmelitespirituality reminds us that the
struggle is sacred.
It's not about perfection, it'sabout persistence, about daring
to seek God in the quiet, thedarkness, and the mystery.
Community life shaped by loveand silence.
In the heart of Carmelite,spirituality lies a paradox that
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feels almost like a sacredriddle, a life of profound
community woven together by loveyet deeply rooted in the
discipline of silence.
If you've ever wondered how agroup of souls can be so united
while spending much of theirtime in solitude, let me take
you behind the veil of theCarmelite Way.
It's not just a lifestyle, it'sa deliberate, prayerful dance
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between connection andcontemplation, one that has
shaped saints and seekers forcenturies.
Picture a Carmelite monastery,whether it's the rugged cliffs
of Mount Carmel or a quietcloister tucked away in the
countryside, the day begins notwith chatter but with the soft
toll of a bell calling thecommunity to prayer.
The sisters or brothers gather,their voices blending in the
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ancient chants of the liturgy ofthe hours, a rhythm as old as
the church itself.
But once the prayers are sung,silence descends like a gentle
fog.
It's not an empty silence,though, it's a space
deliberately carved out for Godto speak.
This is where the Carmelitesteach us something vital.
True community isn't built onconstant noise or endless
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activity.
It's forged in an in the sharedcommitment to listen first to
the divine and then to oneanother.
Love in this context isn't justan emotion, it's an act of will.
Carmelites commit to loving oneanother through small, often
unseen sacrifices, whether it'sa quiet smile during a shared
meal or a prayer offered for astruggling sister in the
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stillness of the night.
Their rule, inspired by SaintTeresa of Avila and Saint John
of the Cross, emphasizes thismutual charity as the foundation
of their life together.
But here's the kicker.
They believe that withoutsilence, that love can't fully
bloom.
Silence strips away thesuperficial, the distractions,
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and forces you to confront yourown heart.
Only then can you truly see andserve the other.
I've often thought about howcountercultural this is in a
world where we're bombarded bynotifications and endless
streams of words, the Carmelitesremind us that real connection
doesn't always need a voice.
Their communal life, structuredaround prayer, work, and meals
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taken together, shows that lovecan be a quiet force, one that
binds tighter than anyconversation.
It's a lesson worth ponderinghow much deeper might our own
relationships grow if we daredto embrace a little more
silence, a little more space forGod to work within us.
And so as we delve deeper intoCarmelite spirituality, let's
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hold on to this image of acommunity shaped by both love
and silence.
It's a balance that challengesus to rethink how we live our
faith, not just in solitude, butin the messy, beautiful reality
of being together and thescapular, a sign of protection
and commitment.
In the quiet heart of Carmelitespirituality, there's a tangible
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thread that binds the faithfulto the divine, a simple piece of
cloth that carries the weight ofheaven's promise.
The brown scapular, oftenassociated with the Carmelites,
isn't just a relic of medievalpiety, it's a living emblem of
protection and a whisperedcovenant between the soul and
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Picture it, two small pieces ofwool connected by strings, worn
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over the shoulders, restingagainst the chest and back.
It's unassuming, almost mundane,yet it holds a story of devotion
that stretches back centuries toa vision on Mount Carmel.
Legend and faith tells us thatin twelve fifty one Our Lady
appeared to St.
Simon's Stock, a Carmelite priorin a moment of desperate prayer.
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The order was struggling,teetering on the edge of
collapse under per underpersecution and internal strife.
Mary, ever the mother, offered alifeline, the scapular, a sign
of her maternal protection.
She promised that whoever woreit with devotion would not
suffer eternal fire, a bold,almost audacious assurance that
has echoed through the ages, butthis isn't just about escaping
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damnation, it's aboutcommitment.
Wearing the scapular is a pledgeto live a life of prayer,
purity, and surrender to God'swill under Mary's mantle.
Dig deeper and you'll find thescapular isn't a magic talisman.
It's not a get out of hell freecard for the apathetic.
The church in its wisdom remindsus that it's a sacramental, a
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physical reminder of a spiritualreality.
It calls the wearer to embodythe virtues of the Carmelite
tradition, contemplation,humility, and an unshakable
trust in divine providence.
Think of it as a silent prayerstitched into fabric, a constant
nudge to align your heart withthe rhythm of Mount Carmel's
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silent prayerful peaks.
For those who wear it, thescapular becomes a personal
story.
I've heard accounts of soldiersin battle clutching it like a
lifeline, of mothers tucking itinto their children's clothing
as a shield against unseendangers.
It's not superstition, it's avisceral act of faith, a way to
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say, I belong to you, Mary, andthrough you to Christ.
And in a world that often feelslike it's unraveling, that sense
of belonging, of being claimedby something greater, is a quiet
rebellion against despair.
Saints Teresa of Avila and Johnof the Cross as teachers.
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Let's dive into the heart ofCarmelite spirituality with two
of its most towering figures,Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint
John of the Cross.
These aren't just saints on apedestal, they're gritty, real,
and deeply human teachers whowrestled with the divine in ways
that still resonate today.
Their lives weren't polished oreasy, think less serene, holy
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card, and more spiritualbattleground.
They faced doubt, opposition,and even imprisonment, yet
emerge with insights that canguide anyone hungering for a
deeper connection with God.
Teresa, often called the Doctorof Prayer, didn't just write
about talking to God, she livedit with an intensity that could
unsettle even the most devout.
Her seminal work, The InteriorCastle, maps out the soul's
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journey to union with God as aseries of mansions, each room a
step closer to the divine, butalso a confrontation with your
own flaws and distractions.
She's candid about the struggle.
Prayer isn't always blissful,sometimes is a slog through
dryness and darkness, but sheinsists, almost like a friend
shaking you awake, thatperseverance transforms.
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Her message, God is waiting inthe deepest chamber of your
soul.
Don't stop seeking him, nomatter how messy the path.
Then there's John of the Cross,the mystic poet who gave us the
dark night of the soul.
If Teresa is the guide urgingyou forward, John is the one
sitting with you in the shadows,explaining why the light feels
so far away.
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He teaches that spiritual growthoften comes through
purification, stripping awayattachments, even the comforting
ones to rely solely on God.
His dark night isn't justdespair, it's a necessary
unraveling, a shedding of theego so raw it can feel like
abandonment.
Yet through his poetry andprose, he reveals a profound
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truth.
This emptiness is where Godreshapes you.
His words aren't abstracttheology, they're born from his
own suffering, including beinglocked in a tiny cell by his own
religious brothers.
Together these Carmelite giantsoffer a spirituality that's not
for the faint of heart, theydon't promise quick fixes or
shallow comfort.
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Instead, they challenge us toembrace both the ecstasy and the
agony of drawing near to God.
Their teachings on prayer,detachment, and trust in the
unseen are like a roadmap forthe soul, one that's been tested
in the crucible of their ownlives.
For anyone exploring Carmelitespirituality, Teresa and John
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aren't just historical figures,they're companions who've walked
the path and left behind a trailof hard won wisdom.
Little Therese and the littleway of spiritual childhood.
Let's pause for a moment andstep into the quiet, unassuming
world of Saint Therese ofLysieux, often called the Little
Flower.
If Carmelite spirituality is avast ancient tapestry woven with
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threads of silence andcontemplation, Therese is the
delicate stitch that somehowcatches your eye, drawing you
closer.
Her story isn't one of grandgestures or earth shaking
miracles, at least not in theway we often imagine them.
Instead it's a tale of issmallness of a young woman who
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found God in the in the mundane,the overlooked, the everyday,
and in doing so she crafted apath, the little way, that
speaks directly to those of uswho feel ordinary, who wonder if
our quiet lives can ever matterin the grand scheme of heaven.
Therese entered the Carmeliteconvent at just fifteen, a
tender age even by the standardsof her time in late nineteenth
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century France.
Behind those cloistered wallsshe didn't chase after heroic
feats of penance or mysticalvisions, though she admired the
giants of her order like SaintTheresa of Avala and Saint John
of the Cross.
No, Therese's revelation wassimpler, almost disarmingly so.
Holiness isn't reserved for theextraordinary, it's accessible
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right here, right now, in theway you fold laundry with care,
in the smile you offer whenyou're exhausted, in the silent
prayer you whisper when no one'swatching.
Her little way of spiritualchildhood is about trusting God
like a child trusts a parent,completely, without reservation,
knowing that even the smallestact of love can be a step toward
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him.
What hits hardest about Thereseis how relatable she is.
She battled self-doubt, wrestledwith feelings of inadequacy, and
even faced the darkness ofspiritual dryness in her final
months as tuberculosis claimedher at just twenty four.
Yet through it all she clung tothis idea that God delights in
our littleness.
She once wrote, I am a verylittle soul who can offer only
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very little things to the Lord.
And isn't that most of us?
We're not scaling mountains orfounding orders, we're just
trying to get through the daywith a bit of grace.
Therese reminds us that'senough.
Her words.
Way, rooted in Carmelite silenceand surrender, teaches us to
scatter small flowers ofkindness and trust, believing
that God sees every petal.
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This path of spiritual childhoodisn't about infantilizing faith,
it's about radical humility,it's about stripping away the
need to prove ourselves andresting in God's mercy.
For Carmelites and for anyonedrawn to their spirituality,
Therese's little way is a quietrevolution.
It's a reminder that the desertof the heart, where God often
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speaks, doesn't always requiregrand pilgrimages or dramatic
renunciations.
Sometimes it's found in thekitchen, in the classroom, in
the unnoticed corners of ourlives, where we choose love over
indifference.
A call to deepen your Carmelitejourney with journeys of faith.
As we unravel the profoundlayers of Carmelite
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spirituality, it's clear thisancient path isn't just a relic
of history, it's a living,breathing invitation to
encounter God in silence,prayer, and surrender.
Here at Journeys of Faith, we'vewalked these sacred roads
ourselves, from the Eucharisticmiracle of Lanciano that changed
Bob and Penny Lord's lives in1980 to the countless shrines
we've explored with pilgrimslike you.
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We've seen how the Carmeliteway, with its focus on
contemplation and intimacy withChrist, can transform hearts.
We invite you to dive deeper,whether through our extensive
library of books and DVDs onsaints and devotions, or by
joining us on a guidedpilgrimage to holy sites across
Europe and the Holy Land, let usbe your companions on this
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journey.
At our Holy Family Mission inArkansas, we host retreats to
nurture your spirit, echoing theCarmelite call to stillness.
Inspired by over four decades ofevangelization on EWTN and
beyond, Journeys of Faith offerstrusted resources to enrich your
faith.
Step into this mystery with us.
Let's uncover the divinetogether, one prayerful moment
(31:58):
at a time.
FAQs about CarmeliteSpirituality.
What is Carmelite spirituality aCarmelite spirituality is a
profound journey of faith rootedin a deep personal relationship
with God through prayer,silence, and contemplation.
Originating from the CarmeliteOrder, it emphasizes a life of
(32:20):
interior stillness and aconstant turning toward God
amidst the noise of the world.
At Journeys of Faith, we've beeninspired by this tradition as
we've walked our own path ofrediscovery, much like Bob and
Penny Lord did after thetransformative encounter with
the Eucharistic miracle ofLanciano.
It's a spirituality that invitesyou to listen for God's whisper
(32:42):
in the quiet of your heart.
Who founded the Carmelite Order?
The Carmelite Order, formerlyknown as the Order of the
Brothers of the Blessed VirginMary of Mount Carmel, traces its
origins to the twelfth centuryon Mount Carmel in the Holy
Land.
A group of hermits inspired bythe prophet Elijah's example of
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solitude and prayer gatheredthere under the guidance of
Saint Bertold.
Later Saint Simon's stock playeda pivotal role in shaping the
order, particularly through hisvision of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, who entrusted him with thebrown scapular, a symbol of
Marian devotion central toCarmelite life.
Their legacy continues toinspire us at journeys of faith
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as we guide pilgrims to sacredsites like these.
What are the key themes inCarmelite spirituality?
Carmelite spirituality centerson several enduring themes
prayer as a way of life,contemplation as a means of
union with God, and a profounddevotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
It also emphasizes spiritualdetachment, letting go of
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worldly attachments to make roomfor God and the pursuit of
interior silence.
These themes resonate deeplywith our mission at Journeys of
Faith, where we strive to fosterspiritual encounters through
pilgrimages, retreats, at ourholy family mission in Arkansas
and resources on saints anddevotions.
How does Carmelite spiritualitydiffer from other Catholic
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spiritualities?
While many Catholicspiritualities focus on active
service or communal worship,Carmelite spirituality leans
heavily into the contemplativelife.
It's less about doing and moreabout being, being present to
God in silence and solitude.
Unlike the structured prayer ofthe Benedictines or the
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missionary zeal of the Jesuits,Carmelites prioritize an
interior journey, seeking God inthe inner castle of the soul, as
Saint Teresa of Avila famouslydescribed.
At Journeys of Faith, we've seenhow this complements other
traditions, enriching thediverse tapestry of Catholic
faith we share through our mediaand pilgrimages.
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The Carmelite tradition boastsspiritual giants like Saint
Teresa of Avila, who reformedthe order and wrote masterpieces
like the Interior Castle, SaintJohn of the Cross, whose poetry
and teachings on the dark nightof the soul guide countless
seekers, and Saint Therese ofLysieux, the little flower,
whose little way of simple,childlike trust in God has
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inspired millions.
These saints are cornerstones ofour work at Journeys of Faith,
featured in our books, DVDs, andEWTN broadcasts as beacons of
hope and faith.
What role does prayer play inCarmelite life?
Prayer is the heartbeat ofCarmelite life.
It's not just an activity, but astate of being, a continual
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conversation with God thatpermeates every moment.
Carmelites practice both vocaland mental prayer, often
spending hours in silentcommunion with the divine.
This mirrors the heart of ourministry at Journeys of Faith,
where Bob and Penny Lord's ownrediscovery of faith through
prayer fuels our commitment tosharing trusted Catholic
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teachings on the Eucharist anddevotions.
What is interior silence inCarmelite tradition?
Interior silence is the sacredspace within where one hears
God's voice.
In Carmelite tradition, it'sabout quieting the mind and
heart from distractions, fears,and desires to simply rest in
God's presence.
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It's a discipline that takespractice, often cultivated
through solitude and meditation.
At Journeys of Faith, we've seenhow retreats at our Holy Family
Mission in Arkansas can helpbelievers find this silence,
mirroring the Carmelite call toinner peace.
How does contemplation fit intoCarmelite spirituality?
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Contemplation is the crown jewelof Carmelite spirituality, a
deep, wordless prayer where thesoul gazes upon God with love
and surrender.
It's not about intellectualunderstanding, but about
experiencing God's presencedirectly.
Saint John of the Crossdescribed it as a loving
awareness of God, often reachedafter passing through spiritual
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trials.
Through our pilgrimages andresources at journeys of faith,
we aim to guide others towardthese transformative encounters
with the divine.
What is meant by spiritualdetachment?
Spiritual detachment inCarmelite teaching means
releasing one's grip on worldlythings, material possessions,
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ambitions, even personal desiresto create space for God.
It's not about rejecting life,but reordering priorities so
that God is at the center.
Saint Teresa of Avila and SaintJohn of the Cross both stress
this as essential for spiritualgrowth.
At journeys of faith, we'velearned through Bob and Penny's
own story of loss and return tofaith, how letting go can open
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the door to deeper trust in God.
How important is solitude andCarmelite practice?
Solitude is a cornerstone ofCarmelite practice, reflecting
the order's hermit origins onMount Carmel.
It's in solitude that Carmelitescarve out time for prayer and
contemplation away from thedistractions of the world.
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While modern Carmelites balancethis with community life, the
call to solitary reflectionremains vital.
At Journeys of Faith, we echothis through our guided
pilgrimages to quiet, sacredspaces and retreats where
individuals can step away fromdaily noise to encounter God.
Thanks for listening to SuperSaints Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
(38:38):
items.
Welcome to Journeys of Faith.
Brother Joseph Frey Aldenhovenhere.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you,unraveling the mystery of
Carmelite spirituality.
In the quiet corners of Catholictradition where the echoes of
ancient prayers mingle with theflicker of votive candles, there
lies a spiritual path that feelsboth timeless and deeply
(00:22):
personal Carmelite spirituality.
For those of us at Journeys ofFaith, this sacred tradition
isn't just a historicalfootnote, it's a living,
breathing invitation toencounter God in the stillness
of the heart.
Founded in 1980 by Bob and PennyLord, after their life-changing
discovery of the Eucharisticmiracle of Lanciano, our
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ministry has spent over fourdecades walking alongside
pilgrim seekers and believers,sharing the transformative power
of faith through media, books,and guided pilgrimages.
Carmelite spirituality with itsroots in the hermitic life of
Mount Carmel and the profoundteachings of saints like Teresa
of Avila and John of the CrossCross offers a roadmap to
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intimacy with God that feelsalmost countercultural in our
noisy, distracted world.
It's a call to silence, tocontemplation, to a love so deep
it can only be forged in thequiet of prayer.
As we've journeyed through thesacred sites of Europe and the
Holy Land, and as we've pouredour hearts into the resources
and retreats at our holy familymission in Arkansas, we've seen
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how this spirituality resonateswith so many families, parish
groups, and faith leaders alikewho crave a deeper connection to
the divine.
Bob and Penny often sharedstories of their own return to
Catholic devotion, sparked byloss and sustained by miraculous
encounters.
Their journey mirrors theCarmelite way, a relentless
(01:55):
pursuit of God's presence, evenwhen the path feels shrouded in
mystery.
In this article, we'll dive intothe essence of Carmelite
spirituality, exploring itsorigins, its pillars of prayer
and detachment, and how it caninspire us today.
Whether you're a lifelongCatholic or simply curious about
the faith, we invite you to joinus on this exploration, a
journey of the soul guided bytradition and fueled by a
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longing for the eternal.
Roots on Mount Carmel.
Nestled in the rugged terrain ofnorthern Israel, Mount Carmel
stands as a silent witness tothe ancient stirrings of
Carmelite spirituality, atradition that feels as old as
the windswept cliffs themselves.
This is where the story begins.
(02:38):
In a place steeped in biblicalweight, where the prophet Elijah
once called down fire fromheaven in a showdown of divine
power against the priests ofBaal.
It's a landscape that hums withthe raw energy of faith, a
fitting cradle for aspirituality that would grow to
emphasize solitude,contemplation, and an unyielding
(03:00):
devotion to God.
The Carmelites trace theirorigins to a group of hermits
who, in the twelfth century,sought refuge on this sacred
mountain.
These early seekers weren't justfleeing the chaos of the world,
they were chasing somethingdeeper, a direct encounter with
the divine.
Inspired by Elijah's fierceprophetic spirit, they built
their lives around prayer andsilence, dwelling in caves and
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small cells, their days a rhythmof solitude and communal
worship.
They saw themselves asinheritors of Elijah's mantle,
called to stand in the presenceof God, and intercede for a
world in desperate need ofgrace.
What strikes me most about theseearly Carmelites is their
radical commitment todetachment.
They weren't just physicallyisolated on a mountain, they
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sought an inner wilderness, astripping away of ego and
distraction to make space forGod alone.
Their rule of Saint Albert,drawn up around 1209, formalized
this way of life, urging them tomeditate day and night on the
law of the Lord.
It's a call that feels almostcountercultural today, a
reminder that true intimacy withGod often requires us to step
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away from the noise and into thequiet.
Mount Carmel then isn't just ageographical anchor for
Carmelite spirituality, it's asymbol of the interior journey.
It represents a return to theessentials, to a faith that
burns like Elijah's fire,uncompromising, transformative,
and alive.
(04:28):
As I reflect on this foundation,I can't help but feel a pull to
examine my own life.
Where are the places I need toretreat to to hear that still
small voice?
The Carmelites remind us thatthe mountain isn't just a place
on a map, it's a state of theheart, always waiting for us to
climb.
Join us on a journey of faithwith Carmelite Spirituality.
(04:51):
Hey there, fellow seekers of thedivine.
At Journeys of Faith, we're notjust about uncovering the
profound mysteries of Carmelitespirituality.
We're inviting you to walk thissacred path with us.
Inspired by our founders Bob andPenny Lore's transformative
encounter with the EucharisticMiracle of Lanciano, we've spent
(05:11):
over four decades craftingresources and experiences to
deepen your Catholic faith.
Now it's your turn to dive in.
Here's how you can embark onthis spiritual adventure with
us.
Explore our resources, grab acopy of our books or DVDs on
saints, Eucharistic miracles,and devotions perfect for
personal reflection or parishstudy groups.
(05:33):
And we have many items thatcover Carmelite spiritually,
books, scapulars, etc.
Join a pilgrimage, experiencethe holy sites of Europe and the
Holy Land firsthand with ourguided pilgrimages where faith
comes alive.
Visit Holy Family Mission.
Attend a retreat or conferenceat our Arkansas base for a
heart-to-heart encounter withCatholic tradition.
(05:53):
Connect digitally, stream ourEWTN episodes or audiobooks to
keep the inspiration flowingwherever you are.
Let's unravel the beauty ofCarmelite spirituality together.
Visit our website today and takethe first step on this journey
of faith.
Prophet Elijah, spiritual fatherof Carmel.
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Let's step back into the rugged,windswept landscapes of ancient
Israel where the fiery spirit ofthe Prophet Elijah blazes like a
beacon through the pages ofScripture.
If you've ever felt the pull ofa deeper, more intense
connection to God, Elijah'sstory is your roadmap.
This isn't just history, it'sthe beating heart of Carmelite
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spirituality, a tradition rootedin the kind of raw, unyielding
faith that can move mountains,or in Elijah's case, call down
fire from heaven.
Picture this, Mount Carmel, ajagged cliff overlooking the
Mediterranean, where Elijahstood alone against four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal, firstKings eighteen twenty to forty.
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The odds were laughable, thestakes apocalyptic.
Yet with a prayer and a trust inGod so fierce it could shatter
stone, Elijah proved the powerof the one true God as flames
consumed his water soaked altar.
This wasn't just a showdown, itwas a defining moment of divine
encounter, a testament to a lifewholly surrendered to the
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Almighty.
For the Carmelites, Elijah isn'tjust a figure from the past.
He's the spiritual father whoseradical intimacy with God sets
the tone for their entire way oflife.
Elijah's solitude on MountCarmel speaks volumes.
He wasn't a man of crowds orcomfort, he sought God in the
silence, in the still smallvoice after the storm, 1 Kings
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19 12.
This is the essence of Carmelitespirituality, a relentless
pursuit of God throughcontemplation, often in the
quiet corners of the soul.
It's not about grand gesturesfor the world to see, but about
an interior journey, a burningdesire to hear God's whisper
amid life's chaos.
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Elijah teaches us that truestrength isn't in noise or
numbers, but in standing firm infaith, even when you're the only
one left standing.
And then there's his zeal.
Elijah didn't just pray, helived his faith with a ferocity
that challenged kings andreshaped nations for those drawn
to the Carmelite path.
This zeal translates into a lifeof devotion and sacrifice, a
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call to be prophets in our owntime, whether through quiet
prayer or bold witness.
His legacy on Mount Carmelbecame the spiritual bedrock for
the Carmelite order, a placewhere generations of seekers
would return to drink from thewell of his example, finding in
solitude and fervor a directline to the divine.
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If you've ever felt the pull ofa deeper, more contemplative
faith, you've likely sensed herpresence, even if you didn't
know her name.
She's the patroness of theCarmelite order, the one who
tradition tells us appeared toSt.
Simon's stock in the thirteenthcentury, offering the brown
scapular as a as a sign of herprotection and a reminder of
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devotion.
But she's more than a historicalfootnote or a devotional symbol.
She's a guide, a mother, whoseintercession has shaped
centuries of prayerful soulsseeking God's face.
Picture this Mount Carmelitself, that rugged, sacred hill
in the Holy Land where theprophet Elijah once called down
fire from heaven.
It's a place of raw, untamedfaith where the Carmelites trace
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their spiritual lineage back tothose early hermits who lived in
caves praying in solitude.
Our lady of Mount Carmelembodies that same fierce, quiet
strength.
She's often depicted holding thechild Jesus, a reminder that her
role is to lead us to Him, topoint us toward the heart of
divine love.
Wearing the scapular, countlessfaithful have felt her mantle
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over them, a shield againstspiritual despair, a nudge
toward perseverance.
Her feast day, july sixteenth,isn't just a date on the
liturgical calendar, it's a callto remember what the Carmelites
hold dear, a life of prayer, oflistening to God in the
stillness, of trusting in Mary'sintercession when the world
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feels too heavy.
I've heard stories, personal,raw accounts from people who've
turned to her in moments of lossor doubt, only to find an
unexplainable peace.
It's as if she whispers throughthe ages, Keep keep climbing the
mountain, Einseen Saichun.
I'm with you.
Her presence in Carmelitespirituality isn't just
tradition, it's a lived reality,a thread that weaves through
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every silent prayer and everylonging for heaven.
And let's not forget the brownscapular itself.
It's not a magic talisman, nomatter what some might think,
it's a commitment, a wearablepromise to live out the gospel
with Mary as our model.
The Carmelites teach us thatwearing it means embracing a
life of humility and service, ofletting go of self to make room
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for God.
It's a small, tangible thingthat carries a weighty spiritual
truth.
We're never alone in thisjourney.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel walkswith us, her guidance as steady
as the mountain that bears hername.
Allegiance to Jesus Christ theCarmelite Way.
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Let's dive into the heart ofCarmelite spirituality where
allegiance to Jesus Christ isn'tjust a pledge, it's a lived,
breathing reality woven into thefabric of every moment.
The Carmelites with their rootsstretching back to the hermits
of Mount Carmel in the twelfthcentury have always been about
one thing a radical, unyieldingcommitment to Christ through
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prayer, silence, and sacrifice.
This isn't a spirituality forthe faint of heart.
It's a call to strip away thenoise of the world and stand
before the Lord in raw,unfiltered devotion.
Picture this a life where everythought, every action is an
offering to Jesus.
For the Carmelites, thisallegiance manifests in their
deep contemplative prayer, oftencentered on the Eucharist and
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the Blessed Virgin Mary as theirguide.
They don't just pray, they dwellin prayer, seeking an intimate
union with Christ thattransforms the soul.
It's no accident that saintslike Teresa of Avila and John of
the Cross emerged from thistradition.
Their writings brimming withpassion and grit reveal a love
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for Jesus so intense it's almostpalpable.
Teresa's interior castle isn'tjust a book, it's a roadmap to
surrendering every corner ofyour being to him.
But here's the thing Carmeliteallegiance isn't locked in a
cloister, it's a fire that burnsfor the world.
Their devotion to Christ compelsthem to intercede for others, to
carry the weight of humanity'sstruggles and their silent,
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hidden prayers.
Think of it as a spiritualundercover mission while the
world spins in chaos, they'requietly fighting battles on
their knees, aligning everyheartbeat with the sacred heart
of Jesus.
This is faith with muscle, aloyalty to Christ that doesn't
just comfort but challenges,pushing you to love harder,
serve deeper, and pray withoutceasing.
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Prayer and contemplation at theheart of Carmel.
Let's dive deep into the soul ofCarmelite spirituality, where
prayer and contemplation aren'tjust practices, they're the very
air that Carmelites breathe.
If you've ever felt the worldpressing in, drowning out that
cop that quiet voice of God, theCarmelite way offers a lifeline.
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It's not about escaping life'schaos, it's about finding the
still sacred center within it.
Think of it as a spiritual resetbutton, one that's been honed
over centuries by saints likeTeresa of Avila and John of the
Cross, who didn't just pray,they wrestled with the divine in
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the silence of their hearts.
At its core, Carmelitespirituality is about intimacy
with God through contemplativeprayer.
This isn't the kind of prayerwhere you rattle off a list of
requests and call it a day.
No, it's a slow, deliberateopening of the self, a sitting
with the Lord in a space beyondwords.
Teresa herself described it asnothing else than a close
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sharing between friends, aconversation where listening
often matters more thanspeaking.
Imagine sitting with a lifelongcompanion where silence speaks
louder than any monologue.
That's the Carmelite ideal, afriendship with God that
transforms every corner of yourbeing.
But don't mistake this forpassivity.
Contemplation in the Carmelitetradition is active in its
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surrender.
It's a discipline, a dailycommitment to carve out space
for the divine, even when theworld demands your attention.
John of the Cross, with his rawpoetic intensity, wrote of the
dark night of the soul, whereGod purifies through absence,
stripping away distractions toreveal his presence.
It's not always comfortable,sometimes it's a grind, but it's
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in this but it's in thisrefining fire that faith grows
roots.
For Carmelites, prayer isn't aluxury, it's the forge where the
soul is shaped.
This emphasis on contemplationalso spills over into a life of
simplicity and detachment.
Carmelites aren't chasingworldly noise, they're letting
go of it to hear God's whisper,whether in a cloistered
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monastery or in the bustle oflay life.
This call to interior silence isuniversal.
It's a reminder that you don'tneed to climb a mountain, though
Mount Carmel's legacy loomslarge to find God.
He's in the quiet of your heart,waiting for you to stop,
breathe, and listen.
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The interior journey frommeditation to mystical union.
Let's dive into the heart ofCarmelite spirituality, where
the soul embarks on atransformative trek from the
quiet of meditation to theprofound depths of mystical
union with God.
Picture this as a hidden path,one not paved with you know neon
(16:33):
signs or easy answers, but withsilent struggle and an
unrelenting pull toward thedivine.
The Carmelites, you know, withtheir roots in the rugged
solitude of Mount Carmel, teachus that this journey isn't a
weekend getaway.
It's a lifelong pilgrimage,often marked by both searing
desolation and blinding glimpsesof eternity.
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Start with meditation, thegateway.
It's not just sittingcross-legged with a vague sense
of peace.
No, for the Carmelites, inspiredby giants like Saint Teresa of
Avila and Saint John of theCross, meditation is an active,
deliberate turning inward.
You're not escaping the world,you're confronting it, your
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distractions, your doubts, yourrestless heart, and laying them
bare before God.
It's raw, it's real.
Saint Teresa described this asentering the interior castle, a
labyrinth of the soul where eachroom draws you closer to the
center, to him.
But don't expect instantgratification.
This stage is work.
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It's showing up day after day topray, to listen, even when the
silence feels like a void.
Then comes contemplation, theslow shift where you stop doing
and start being.
Here, words fall away, you'renot steering the ship anymore.
God is.
It's less about your effort andmore about surrender, letting
the divine take over theconversation.
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Saint John of the Cross with hisstark poetry calls this the dark
night, a stripping away ofeverything you thought you knew
about faith, about yourself.
It's unsettling.
You might feel abandoned, lostin a fog of spiritual dryness,
but this is where the Carmelitesinsist the real growth happens.
In the darkness God purifies,refines, prepares you for
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something greater, and thatsomething greater, mystical
union.
This isn't a Hollywood endingwith angelic choirs on cue, it's
quieter, deeper, a oneness withGod that defies description.
Saint Teresa likened it to amarriage, a total merging of
wills, where the soul no longerseeks itself, but only the
beloved.
It's rare, elusive, and notsomething you can force.
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But the Carmelites believe it'sthe ultimate destination of the
spiritual life, the point whereevery longing, every sacrifice
finds its fulfillment in God'sembrace.
This interior journey isn'tlinear.
You'll circle back, stumble, andstart again.
Some days meditation feels likescaling a cliff with no rope.
Others, contemplation offers afleeting taste of heaven.
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Yet, through it all, Carmelitespirituality reminds us that the
struggle is sacred.
It's not about perfection, it'sabout persistence, about daring
to seek God in the quiet, thedarkness, and the mystery.
Community life shaped by loveand silence.
In the heart of Carmelite,spirituality lies a paradox that
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feels almost like a sacredriddle, a life of profound
community woven together by loveyet deeply rooted in the
discipline of silence.
If you've ever wondered how agroup of souls can be so united
while spending much of theirtime in solitude, let me take
you behind the veil of theCarmelite Way.
It's not just a lifestyle, it'sa deliberate, prayerful dance
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between connection andcontemplation, one that has
shaped saints and seekers forcenturies.
Picture a Carmelite monastery,whether it's the rugged cliffs
of Mount Carmel or a quietcloister tucked away in the
countryside, the day begins notwith chatter but with the soft
toll of a bell calling thecommunity to prayer.
The sisters or brothers gather,their voices blending in the
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ancient chants of the liturgy ofthe hours, a rhythm as old as
the church itself.
But once the prayers are sung,silence descends like a gentle
fog.
It's not an empty silence,though, it's a space
deliberately carved out for Godto speak.
This is where the Carmelitesteach us something vital.
True community isn't built onconstant noise or endless
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activity.
It's forged in an in the sharedcommitment to listen first to
the divine and then to oneanother.
Love in this context isn't justan emotion, it's an act of will.
Carmelites commit to loving oneanother through small, often
unseen sacrifices, whether it'sa quiet smile during a shared
meal or a prayer offered for astruggling sister in the
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stillness of the night.
Their rule, inspired by SaintTeresa of Avila and Saint John
of the Cross, emphasizes thismutual charity as the foundation
of their life together.
But here's the kicker.
They believe that withoutsilence, that love can't fully
bloom.
Silence strips away thesuperficial, the distractions,
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and forces you to confront yourown heart.
Only then can you truly see andserve the other.
I've often thought about howcountercultural this is in a
world where we're bombarded bynotifications and endless
streams of words, the Carmelitesremind us that real connection
doesn't always need a voice.
Their communal life, structuredaround prayer, work, and meals
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taken together, shows that lovecan be a quiet force, one that
binds tighter than anyconversation.
It's a lesson worth ponderinghow much deeper might our own
relationships grow if we daredto embrace a little more
silence, a little more space forGod to work within us.
And so as we delve deeper intoCarmelite spirituality, let's
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hold on to this image of acommunity shaped by both love
and silence.
It's a balance that challengesus to rethink how we live our
faith, not just in solitude, butin the messy, beautiful reality
of being together and thescapular, a sign of protection
and commitment.
In the quiet heart of Carmelitespirituality, there's a tangible
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thread that binds the faithfulto the divine, a simple piece of
cloth that carries the weight ofheaven's promise.
The brown scapular, oftenassociated with the Carmelites,
isn't just a relic of medievalpiety, it's a living emblem of
protection and a whisperedcovenant between the soul and
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Picture it, two small pieces ofwool connected by strings, worn
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over the shoulders, restingagainst the chest and back.
It's unassuming, almost mundane,yet it holds a story of devotion
that stretches back centuries toa vision on Mount Carmel.
Legend and faith tells us thatin twelve fifty one Our Lady
appeared to St.
Simon's Stock, a Carmelite priorin a moment of desperate prayer.
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The order was struggling,teetering on the edge of
collapse under per underpersecution and internal strife.
Mary, ever the mother, offered alifeline, the scapular, a sign
of her maternal protection.
She promised that whoever woreit with devotion would not
suffer eternal fire, a bold,almost audacious assurance that
has echoed through the ages, butthis isn't just about escaping
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damnation, it's aboutcommitment.
Wearing the scapular is a pledgeto live a life of prayer,
purity, and surrender to God'swill under Mary's mantle.
Dig deeper and you'll find thescapular isn't a magic talisman.
It's not a get out of hell freecard for the apathetic.
The church in its wisdom remindsus that it's a sacramental, a
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physical reminder of a spiritualreality.
It calls the wearer to embodythe virtues of the Carmelite
tradition, contemplation,humility, and an unshakable
trust in divine providence.
Think of it as a silent prayerstitched into fabric, a constant
nudge to align your heart withthe rhythm of Mount Carmel's
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silent prayerful peaks.
For those who wear it, thescapular becomes a personal
story.
I've heard accounts of soldiersin battle clutching it like a
lifeline, of mothers tucking itinto their children's clothing
as a shield against unseendangers.
It's not superstition, it's avisceral act of faith, a way to
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say, I belong to you, Mary, andthrough you to Christ.
And in a world that often feelslike it's unraveling, that sense
of belonging, of being claimedby something greater, is a quiet
rebellion against despair.
Saints Teresa of Avila and Johnof the Cross as teachers.
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Let's dive into the heart ofCarmelite spirituality with two
of its most towering figures,Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint
John of the Cross.
These aren't just saints on apedestal, they're gritty, real,
and deeply human teachers whowrestled with the divine in ways
that still resonate today.
Their lives weren't polished oreasy, think less serene, holy
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card, and more spiritualbattleground.
They faced doubt, opposition,and even imprisonment, yet
emerge with insights that canguide anyone hungering for a
deeper connection with God.
Teresa, often called the Doctorof Prayer, didn't just write
about talking to God, she livedit with an intensity that could
unsettle even the most devout.
Her seminal work, The InteriorCastle, maps out the soul's
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journey to union with God as aseries of mansions, each room a
step closer to the divine, butalso a confrontation with your
own flaws and distractions.
She's candid about the struggle.
Prayer isn't always blissful,sometimes is a slog through
dryness and darkness, but sheinsists, almost like a friend
shaking you awake, thatperseverance transforms.
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Her message, God is waiting inthe deepest chamber of your
soul.
Don't stop seeking him, nomatter how messy the path.
Then there's John of the Cross,the mystic poet who gave us the
dark night of the soul.
If Teresa is the guide urgingyou forward, John is the one
sitting with you in the shadows,explaining why the light feels
so far away.
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He teaches that spiritual growthoften comes through
purification, stripping awayattachments, even the comforting
ones to rely solely on God.
His dark night isn't justdespair, it's a necessary
unraveling, a shedding of theego so raw it can feel like
abandonment.
Yet through his poetry andprose, he reveals a profound
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truth.
This emptiness is where Godreshapes you.
His words aren't abstracttheology, they're born from his
own suffering, including beinglocked in a tiny cell by his own
religious brothers.
Together these Carmelite giantsoffer a spirituality that's not
for the faint of heart, theydon't promise quick fixes or
shallow comfort.
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Instead, they challenge us toembrace both the ecstasy and the
agony of drawing near to God.
Their teachings on prayer,detachment, and trust in the
unseen are like a roadmap forthe soul, one that's been tested
in the crucible of their ownlives.
For anyone exploring Carmelitespirituality, Teresa and John
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aren't just historical figures,they're companions who've walked
the path and left behind a trailof hard won wisdom.
Little Therese and the littleway of spiritual childhood.
Let's pause for a moment andstep into the quiet, unassuming
world of Saint Therese ofLysieux, often called the Little
Flower.
If Carmelite spirituality is avast ancient tapestry woven with
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threads of silence andcontemplation, Therese is the
delicate stitch that somehowcatches your eye, drawing you
closer.
Her story isn't one of grandgestures or earth shaking
miracles, at least not in theway we often imagine them.
Instead it's a tale of issmallness of a young woman who
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found God in the in the mundane,the overlooked, the everyday,
and in doing so she crafted apath, the little way, that
speaks directly to those of uswho feel ordinary, who wonder if
our quiet lives can ever matterin the grand scheme of heaven.
Therese entered the Carmeliteconvent at just fifteen, a
tender age even by the standardsof her time in late nineteenth
(28:40):
century France.
Behind those cloistered wallsshe didn't chase after heroic
feats of penance or mysticalvisions, though she admired the
giants of her order like SaintTheresa of Avala and Saint John
of the Cross.
No, Therese's revelation wassimpler, almost disarmingly so.
Holiness isn't reserved for theextraordinary, it's accessible
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right here, right now, in theway you fold laundry with care,
in the smile you offer whenyou're exhausted, in the silent
prayer you whisper when no one'swatching.
Her little way of spiritualchildhood is about trusting God
like a child trusts a parent,completely, without reservation,
knowing that even the smallestact of love can be a step toward
(29:26):
him.
What hits hardest about Thereseis how relatable she is.
She battled self-doubt, wrestledwith feelings of inadequacy, and
even faced the darkness ofspiritual dryness in her final
months as tuberculosis claimedher at just twenty four.
Yet through it all she clung tothis idea that God delights in
our littleness.
She once wrote, I am a verylittle soul who can offer only
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very little things to the Lord.
And isn't that most of us?
We're not scaling mountains orfounding orders, we're just
trying to get through the daywith a bit of grace.
Therese reminds us that'senough.
Her words.
Way, rooted in Carmelite silenceand surrender, teaches us to
scatter small flowers ofkindness and trust, believing
that God sees every petal.
(30:09):
This path of spiritual childhoodisn't about infantilizing faith,
it's about radical humility,it's about stripping away the
need to prove ourselves andresting in God's mercy.
For Carmelites and for anyonedrawn to their spirituality,
Therese's little way is a quietrevolution.
It's a reminder that the desertof the heart, where God often
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speaks, doesn't always requiregrand pilgrimages or dramatic
renunciations.
Sometimes it's found in thekitchen, in the classroom, in
the unnoticed corners of ourlives, where we choose love over
indifference.
A call to deepen your Carmelitejourney with journeys of faith.
As we unravel the profoundlayers of Carmelite
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spirituality, it's clear thisancient path isn't just a relic
of history, it's a living,breathing invitation to
encounter God in silence,prayer, and surrender.
Here at Journeys of Faith, we'vewalked these sacred roads
ourselves, from the Eucharisticmiracle of Lanciano that changed
Bob and Penny Lord's lives in1980 to the countless shrines
we've explored with pilgrimslike you.
(31:14):
We've seen how the Carmeliteway, with its focus on
contemplation and intimacy withChrist, can transform hearts.
We invite you to dive deeper,whether through our extensive
library of books and DVDs onsaints and devotions, or by
joining us on a guidedpilgrimage to holy sites across
Europe and the Holy Land, let usbe your companions on this
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journey.
At our Holy Family Mission inArkansas, we host retreats to
nurture your spirit, echoing theCarmelite call to stillness.
Inspired by over four decades ofevangelization on EWTN and
beyond, Journeys of Faith offerstrusted resources to enrich your
faith.
Step into this mystery with us.
Let's uncover the divinetogether, one prayerful moment
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at a time.
FAQs about CarmeliteSpirituality.
What is Carmelite spirituality aCarmelite spirituality is a
profound journey of faith rootedin a deep personal relationship
with God through prayer,silence, and contemplation.
Originating from the CarmeliteOrder, it emphasizes a life of
(32:20):
interior stillness and aconstant turning toward God
amidst the noise of the world.
At Journeys of Faith, we've beeninspired by this tradition as
we've walked our own path ofrediscovery, much like Bob and
Penny Lord did after thetransformative encounter with
the Eucharistic miracle ofLanciano.
It's a spirituality that invitesyou to listen for God's whisper
(32:42):
in the quiet of your heart.
Who founded the Carmelite Order?
The Carmelite Order, formerlyknown as the Order of the
Brothers of the Blessed VirginMary of Mount Carmel, traces its
origins to the twelfth centuryon Mount Carmel in the Holy
Land.
A group of hermits inspired bythe prophet Elijah's example of
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solitude and prayer gatheredthere under the guidance of
Saint Bertold.
Later Saint Simon's stock playeda pivotal role in shaping the
order, particularly through hisvision of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, who entrusted him with thebrown scapular, a symbol of
Marian devotion central toCarmelite life.
Their legacy continues toinspire us at journeys of faith
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as we guide pilgrims to sacredsites like these.
What are the key themes inCarmelite spirituality?
Carmelite spirituality centerson several enduring themes
prayer as a way of life,contemplation as a means of
union with God, and a profounddevotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
It also emphasizes spiritualdetachment, letting go of
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worldly attachments to make roomfor God and the pursuit of
interior silence.
These themes resonate deeplywith our mission at Journeys of
Faith, where we strive to fosterspiritual encounters through
pilgrimages, retreats, at ourholy family mission in Arkansas
and resources on saints anddevotions.
How does Carmelite spiritualitydiffer from other Catholic
(34:12):
spiritualities?
While many Catholicspiritualities focus on active
service or communal worship,Carmelite spirituality leans
heavily into the contemplativelife.
It's less about doing and moreabout being, being present to
God in silence and solitude.
Unlike the structured prayer ofthe Benedictines or the
(34:32):
missionary zeal of the Jesuits,Carmelites prioritize an
interior journey, seeking God inthe inner castle of the soul, as
Saint Teresa of Avila famouslydescribed.
At Journeys of Faith, we've seenhow this complements other
traditions, enriching thediverse tapestry of Catholic
faith we share through our mediaand pilgrimages.
(34:59):
The Carmelite tradition boastsspiritual giants like Saint
Teresa of Avila, who reformedthe order and wrote masterpieces
like the Interior Castle, SaintJohn of the Cross, whose poetry
and teachings on the dark nightof the soul guide countless
seekers, and Saint Therese ofLysieux, the little flower,
whose little way of simple,childlike trust in God has
(35:24):
inspired millions.
These saints are cornerstones ofour work at Journeys of Faith,
featured in our books, DVDs, andEWTN broadcasts as beacons of
hope and faith.
What role does prayer play inCarmelite life?
Prayer is the heartbeat ofCarmelite life.
It's not just an activity, but astate of being, a continual
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conversation with God thatpermeates every moment.
Carmelites practice both vocaland mental prayer, often
spending hours in silentcommunion with the divine.
This mirrors the heart of ourministry at Journeys of Faith,
where Bob and Penny Lord's ownrediscovery of faith through
prayer fuels our commitment tosharing trusted Catholic
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teachings on the Eucharist anddevotions.
What is interior silence inCarmelite tradition?
Interior silence is the sacredspace within where one hears
God's voice.
In Carmelite tradition, it'sabout quieting the mind and
heart from distractions, fears,and desires to simply rest in
God's presence.
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It's a discipline that takespractice, often cultivated
through solitude and meditation.
At Journeys of Faith, we've seenhow retreats at our Holy Family
Mission in Arkansas can helpbelievers find this silence,
mirroring the Carmelite call toinner peace.
How does contemplation fit intoCarmelite spirituality?
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Contemplation is the crown jewelof Carmelite spirituality, a
deep, wordless prayer where thesoul gazes upon God with love
and surrender.
It's not about intellectualunderstanding, but about
experiencing God's presencedirectly.
Saint John of the Crossdescribed it as a loving
awareness of God, often reachedafter passing through spiritual
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trials.
Through our pilgrimages andresources at journeys of faith,
we aim to guide others towardthese transformative encounters
with the divine.
What is meant by spiritualdetachment?
Spiritual detachment inCarmelite teaching means
releasing one's grip on worldlythings, material possessions,
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ambitions, even personal desiresto create space for God.
It's not about rejecting life,but reordering priorities so
that God is at the center.
Saint Teresa of Avila and SaintJohn of the Cross both stress
this as essential for spiritualgrowth.
At journeys of faith, we'velearned through Bob and Penny's
own story of loss and return tofaith, how letting go can open
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the door to deeper trust in God.
How important is solitude andCarmelite practice?
Solitude is a cornerstone ofCarmelite practice, reflecting
the order's hermit origins onMount Carmel.
It's in solitude that Carmelitescarve out time for prayer and
contemplation away from thedistractions of the world.
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While modern Carmelites balancethis with community life, the
call to solitary reflectionremains vital.
At Journeys of Faith, we echothis through our guided
pilgrimages to quiet, sacredspaces and retreats where
individuals can step away fromdaily noise to encounter God.
Thanks for listening to SuperSaints Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
(38:38):
items.
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