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Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS. reflects on the rich young man in the Gospels (Mark 10:17-31; Mt 19: 16-30; & Lk 18:18-30) to examine our journey in Carmel through our formation and the Temporary and Definitive Promises we make.

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

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

In this episode, Tim Bete, OCDS, interviews Vivien Foster, OCDS, about her experience attending the 2026 OCDS World Encounter in Ávila, Spain, what she learned, and the opportunities presented at the Encounter. The meeting asked a fundamental question: What does it mean to be Carmelites in today’s world? How can a spirituality rooted in prayer, contemplation, silence, and interiority become a living witness in a world that is increasingly busy, distracted, and fragmented?   Vivien's report on the 2026 OCDS World Encounter: https://mountcarmelmagazine.com/2026/08/02/ocds-world-meeting-2026-blog-from-avila/   Get an email update when the January 2027 issue of Mount Carmel is published, with more about the World Encounter:   https://mountcarmelmagazine.com/e-mail-updates/

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

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

Have you ever considered yourself a mystic?  What exactly is a mystic?  What is mysticism?  How does it apply to me?  The mystic, St. John of the Cross, dives into what the “Dark Night of the Soul” entails.  In general, many people just think it refers to hard times.  In this presentation, Deacon Baldwin clarifies that the “Dark Night” is by first giving us examples of what it is NOT! He follows by expounding upon the true meaning of the “Dark Night of the Soul” and the call to a deeper intimacy and love of our Lord.

Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, shares a Lenten message about the Dark Night of the Senses, St. John of the Cross, disposing ourselves to God's grace, and seeking God, not His gifts.

Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS shares a reflection on how to accept our own weaknesses and obstacles to our union with God. Deacon Mark quotes the book Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird.

During this homily given by Fr. John MacQuarrie, the spiritual assistant for our Secular Carmelite Community, discusses the outward sign of Carmel as he welcomes three members of our community who were clothed with the ceremonial brown scapular. He also reflects on the Constitutions of the Secular Carmelites and our Christian roles as priests, prophets, and kings.

In this homily, Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, discusses the true meaning of joy and how the Carmelite saints viewed joy.

What can we do to be better predisposed to receive God’s Grace leading to Union with Him?  We know that “only the pure of heart see God.”  So, how do we purify our hearts most effectively?  Discalced Secular Carmelite Deacon Mark Danis gives us great insights on this topic and quotes St. Elizabeth of the Trinity to help us understand.

Mountains play a prominent role in Carmelite Spirituality and in Prayer.  What does the mountain represent?  In the scriptures, we read about the Prophet Elijah and mountains.  What did the mountains represent for Elijah?  Even our Lord went to the mountains many times in His life.  How does that connect to our lives today?

How did the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel come about?  What is the connection with the Prophet Elijah?  How did the spirituality of Elijah spread across the world?  What happened on July 16th that is so significant to Carmelites?  What is the connection of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to the Church approved apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes and in Fatima?  How are we connected today?

In marriage preparation, Catholic couples are instructed about the Covenant of Love.  The elements  in particular that are addressed are being free, full, faithful, and fruitful.  Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, analyzes these same elements as it relates to Carmelite spirituality.  It is very enlightening and enriching.