St Louis OCDS Apostolate

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Contents: Apostolic Presentation Revised, June 20,2001
St. Joseph OCDS Community,
Clayton, Missouri

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION PART TWO: ST.TERESA OF JESUS

1] Introduce OCD Members & Opening Prayer 1] Introduction

2] Contents of our Presentation 2] Bio-Sketch

3] The Order of Carmel Discalced 3] Spirit & Significance

4] Our Reasons for Being Here Today 4] The Life of Prayer

5] Disclaimers 5] Teaching Excerpts

PART THREE: ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS PART FOUR: ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS

1] Introduction 1] Introduction

2] Bio-Sketch 2] Bio-Sketch

3] Spirit & Significance 3] Spirit & Significance

4] The Life of Faith 4] The Life of Vocation

5] Teaching Excerpts 5] Teaching Excerpts

PART FIVE: SUMMARY

1] Review of Carmelite Spirituality

2] Cathofic Renewal & Evangelization

3] Question & Answer Period

4] Thanksgiving

5] Final Prayer

Robert J. Albrecht, OCDS

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION

a] INTRODUCE OCD MEMBERS & OPENING PRAYER

b] CONTENTS OF OUR PRESENTATION:

1] Introduction

2] Saint Teresa of Jesus [Avila] Theme: The Life of Prayer

3] Saint John of the Cross The Life of Faith

4] Saint Therese of the Child Jesus The Life of Vocation

5] Summary

c] THE ORDER OF CARMEL DISCALCED

1] The Order was founded in 16th Century Spain, by St. Teresa of Jesus

2] The Order is divided into three, the Friars, Sisters in Cloister, & the Secular Order

3] The Order is Worldwide & The Reverend General resides in Rome

4] Although the Order of Carmel Discalced is involved in Missionary Work Retreats, Religious
Education, and many charitable enterprises, the Order is and remains essentially penitentials

5] A simple form of our identity is called the three premises of St. Teresa.

   + Union with God in contemplation is adopted as an end

   + daily prayer, penance, reparation, for the salvation of all souls including our own, is a life
commitment,

   + a Discalced Carmelite is called to be a militant defender of the Truth.

d] OUR REASONS FOR BEING HERE TODAY

1] Pope John Paul II call for renewal & evangelization of the Church

2] The specific call given to our Rev. General Camilo Macisse, OCD

3] To share our life with others in fraternal charity

4] To propagate the worldwide mission of the Order of Carmel Discalced

5] In obedience to the Carmelite Rule of Life

e] DISCLAIMERS:

1] We are not recruiting anyone for anything

2] We are not fund raising

3] The Order of Carmel recognizes that there are many charisms in the Church, and the world.

4] We are not in competition with any other charism, or program.

5] The word discalced means,"unshod or barefoot", which is a symbol of poverty.

PART TWO: SAINT TERESA OF JESUS:

a] INTRODUCTION

1] St. Teresa is the patron saint other country, Spain.**

2] She is regarded as the greatest spiritual authority in the annals of the Church on, Prayer.

3] Her foundations of Carmelite Convents in Cloister have spread through-out the world.

4] She is the only women to found a Religious Order for Men [Friars]

5] Major Works: Way of Perfection, Foundations, Life, & Interior Castle

b] BIO-SKETCH:

1] Teresa was born at Avila in 1515.

2] As a member of the Carmelite Order she made great progress in the search for perfection
and received mystical revelations.

3] After beginning the reform of her Order she underwent many trials which she intrepidly overcame

4] She also wrote books of the greatest spiritual value which reflect her own experiences.

5] She died at Alba in 1582, at the age of 67. St. Teresa was canonized in 1622, and named a
Doctor of the Church, in 1970.

c] SPIRIT & SIGNIFICANCE:

1] St. Teresa is called by Christ to affect the reform of the Carmelite Order

2] She is placed by Jesus at the very center of the Catholic counter reformation in the 16th Century,
and her Order becomes universal

3] A Catholic's life must be Christ centered and prayer centered

4] Union with God is open to all mankind

5] A Catholic must accept and embrace the commandments of Christ, and put his commandments
into daily practice.

d] THE LIFE OF PRAYER:

1] INTRODUCTION: The following thoughts are taken from a wonderful booklet written
by the contemporary Carmelite Friar, Sam Anthony Morello, OCD, titled "Divine Reading,"
and the practice of Teresian Prayer. Father Morello, writes to approach the subject of Teresian
prayer [that is prayer after the pattern of St. Teresa of Avila] we need a broad perspective. This
is necessary, although surprising, because there is no distinctively Teresian way to pray. There is
not even a uniquely Carmelite way to pray. Carmel's spirituality is rooted in the greater tradition
of Lectio Divina, [literally "Divine Reading"], a particular way of reading and praying over the
Scriptures.
St. John of the Cross writes "Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer
and it will be opened to you in contemplation.** (Sayings,#158]

2] MENTAL PRAYER: St. Teresa writes in her autobiography: "Mental prayer in my opinion is
nothing else than intimate sharing with friends; it means taking time to be alone with Him who we
know loves us." [Life 8,5]

3] VOCAL PRAYER: In a word, vocal prayer is nothing but formulary prayer, praying a pre-
fabricated set of words and sentiments, like the, "0ur Father," or a psalm. Our Holy Mother wants
us to say our prayers well, with understanding, and attentively!

4] MEDITATION: Teresa uses the word in reference to several prayful activities that all qualify as
ascetical prayer or, "Meditation." Meditation for St. Teresa is a category of prayer. It is a prayer
of effort, effort to think about and love the Lord. Meditation is all prayer this side of contemplation.

5] THE CONTEMPLATIVE DIMENSION: Teresian prayer is oriented toward contemplation.
This is another essential quality to appreciate. For St. Teresa, meditation is ascetical prayer; that is,
it depends on our efforts as we exercise our faculties with the help of ordinary grace. Contemplation
cannot be produced by our own efforts; it is completely gratuitous. We can dispose ourselves for it
by the virtues and by praying in a very simplified affective way. But contemplation is an infused
experience of the presence of God that gives light to the soul and warmth to the heart.
Sam Anthony Morello, OCD [ Lectio Divina, ICS Publications]

6] KINDS OF CONTEMPLATION: The Trappist Theologian, Thomas Merton, writes: "There is
really only one kind of contemplation. The word, used properly, in its strict and correct sense
signifies infused or mystical contemplation. This is also called "passive contemplation." It is a pure
gift of God, and God is the principal agent Who infuses it into the soul and Who, by this means,
takes possession of the soul's faculties and moves them directly according to His will."
[Thomas Merton, "What is Contemplation" Templegate Publications]

e] TEACHING EXCERPS:

2] Prayer is the union with God as our Father and our most intimate friend

3] Mysticism; Teresa emphasizes the mystical vocation of the Christian and of every human being

4] Service: Teresa attests to the unity of life, and the mystical dimension of eccelsial service in her
foundation of basic ideas

5] Love: St. Teresa teaches the supreme value of charity. Without charity united with obedience,
nothing worthwhile can be done.

PART THREE: SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS

a] INTRODUCTION

1] St. John of the Cross is one of the great poets and literary figures of 16th century Spain

2] He is regarded by the Church as her greatest and safest Mystical Theologian

3] He ranks with St. Thomas Aquinas as one of the Church's greatest teachers

4] St. John of the Cross is the Mystical Doctor of Love

5] Major Works: The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle,
and Living Flame of Love

b] BIO-SKETCH

1] John de Yepes was born in 1542 at Fontiveros and entered the Carmelite Order in 1563

2] In 1568 he became, at St. Teresa's suggestionn, the first friar of the Order's reform, taking
the name of John of the Cross

3] He was a heroic defender of the reform for the rest of his life

4] He died at Ubeda in 1591, and from that time he has enjoyed great esteem for sanctity and
for the spiritual wisdom to which his writings testify

5] Saint John of the Cross was canonized in 1726 and named a Doctor of the Church in 1926

c] SPIRIT AND SIGNIFICANCE

1] Mystical Contemplation: The supernatural experience of God, in love

2] Union with Thomism: The ultimate framework of knowledge

3] The practical science of contemplation and spirituality

4] The direct path to God: Prayer and Detachment

5] Among the greats of Spanish Literature

d] THE LIFE OF FAITH

1] The definition of the Theological Virtue of Faith is in two parts: Faith is a gift of God, and the
perfection of the intellect

2] St. Paul teaches, "that it is impossible to please God without faith, since anyone who comes to
him must believe that he exists and rewards those who seek him." [Hebrews 11:6]

3] St. John of the Cross teaches that union with God can only be accomplished by faith and love,
and gives the three steps of the journey

4] First, departure which is the "Mortification of the Senses"

5] Second, the journey through "the Dark Night of Faith" and

6] Three, arrival in Union with God which is described as "inexpressible joy"

e] TEACHING EXCERPTS

1] God and God alone is our beatitude

2] The only proximate means of union with God are by faith and love

3] If one is serious, one will have the habitual desire to imitate Christ in all things

4] Whoever flees prayer flees all that is good

5] Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to
you in contemplation

PART FOUR: SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS

a] INTRODUCTION:

2] The Little Way ( A practical way of perfection for all )

3] Patron of the Missions

4] A Saint most Powerful with God

5] St. Therese's parents, Zelie and Louis, have been beatified by Pope John Paul II

b] BIO-SKETCH

1] Therese Martin was born at Alcenon in 1873

2] At the age of fifteen she entered the Carmel at Lisieux

3] She practiced heroic virtues by word and example

4] She offered her life for the salvation of souls and the growth of the Church

5] She died on September 30, 1897, was canonized in 1925, and named Doctor of the Church
in 1997

c] SPIRIT AND SIGNIFICANCE

1] St. Therese's vocation in the Church is "love"

2] Merriment is a sign of spiritual health and maturity

3] Her autobiography, "Story of a Soul", is a masterpiece of simplicity in the spiritual life

4] St. Therese is the little saint of common sense

5] When asked "Why have you come to Carmel?", she answered, "I have come to Carmel for the
salvation of all souls, and to pray for priests"

d] TEACHING EXCERPTS:

1] "it is impossible," I said, " for me to become great, so I must bear with myself and my many
imperfections, but I will seek out a means of reaching Heaven by a little way - very short, very
straight, and entirely new

2] I will spend my Heaven in doing good upon Earth...in heaven God will do all I desire because I
have never done my own will on earth...after my death I will let fall "A shower of roses"

3] To love you must humble yourself

PART FIVE: SUMMARY

a] CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY

2] Daily prayer, study, penance, and reparation

3] Penance is defined as Obedience and Discernment

4] Daily Labor for the Salvation of all Souls, including our own!

5] A Militant Defense of Truth

b] CATHOLIC RENEWAL AND EVANGELIZATION

1] The theology of the Eucharist

2] Papal sovereignty

3] Catholic mysticism is based on Catholic Dogma

4] A daily labor for vocations to the religious life

5] The Propogation oof the faith, by prayer, example, witness, and teaching

c] QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

1] Questions from the audience

2] Questions to the audience

d] THANKSGIVING

e] FINAL PRAYER

Robert J. Albrect, OCDS

June 20, 2001

Home | Apostolate Outline

	Contents: Apostolic Presentation	Revised, June 20,2001 St. Joseph OCDS Community, Clayton, Missouri
	PART ONE: INTRODUCTION	PART TWO: ST.TERESA OF JESUS
	1] Introduce OCD Members & Opening Prayer	1] Introduction
	2] Contents of our Presentation	2] Bio-Sketch
	3] The Order of Carmel Discalced	3] Spirit & Significance
	4] Our Reasons for Being Here Today	4] The Life of Prayer
	5] Disclaimers	5] Teaching Excerpts

	PART THREE: ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS	PART FOUR: ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS
	1] Introduction	1] Introduction
	2] Bio-Sketch	2] Bio-Sketch
	3] Spirit & Significance	3] Spirit & Significance
	4] The Life of Faith	4] The Life of Vocation
	5] Teaching Excerpts	5] Teaching Excerpts

	PART FIVE: SUMMARY
	1] Review of Carmelite Spirituality
	2] Cathofic Renewal & Evangelization
	3] Question & Answer Period
	4] Thanksgiving
	5] Final Prayer

	Robert J. Albrecht, OCDS

	PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
	a] INTRODUCE OCD MEMBERS & OPENING PRAYER
	b] CONTENTS OF OUR PRESENTATION:
	1] Introduction
	2] Saint Teresa of Jesus [Avila] Theme: The Life of Prayer
	3] Saint John of the Cross The Life of Faith
	4] Saint Therese of the Child Jesus The Life of Vocation
	5] Summary

	c] THE ORDER OF CARMEL DISCALCED
	1] The Order was founded in 16th Century Spain, by St. Teresa of Jesus
	2] The Order is divided into three, the Friars, Sisters in Cloister, & the Secular Order
	3] The Order is Worldwide & The Reverend General resides in Rome
	4] Although the Order of Carmel Discalced is involved in Missionary Work Retreats, Religious Education, and many charitable enterprises, the Order is and remains essentially penitentials
	5] A simple form of our identity is called the three premises of St. Teresa.
	+ Union with God in contemplation is adopted as an end
	+ daily prayer, penance, reparation, for the salvation of all souls including our own, is a life commitment,
	+ a Discalced Carmelite is called to be a militant defender of the Truth.

	d] OUR REASONS FOR BEING HERE TODAY
	1] Pope John Paul II call for renewal & evangelization of the Church
	2] The specific call given to our Rev. General Camilo Macisse, OCD
	3] To share our life with others in fraternal charity
	4] To propagate the worldwide mission of the Order of Carmel Discalced
	5] In obedience to the Carmelite Rule of Life
	e] DISCLAIMERS:
	1] We are not recruiting anyone for anything
	2] We are not fund raising
	3] The Order of Carmel recognizes that there are many charisms in the Church, and the world.
	4] We are not in competition with any other charism, or program.
	5] The word discalced means,"unshod or barefoot", which is a symbol of poverty.

	PART TWO: SAINT TERESA OF JESUS:
	a] INTRODUCTION
	1] St. Teresa is the patron saint other country, Spain.**
	2] She is regarded as the greatest spiritual authority in the annals of the Church on, Prayer.
	3] Her foundations of Carmelite Convents in Cloister have spread through-out the world.
	4] She is the only women to found a Religious Order for Men [Friars]
	5] Major Works: Way of Perfection, Foundations, Life, & Interior Castle
	b] BIO-SKETCH:
	1] Teresa was born at Avila in 1515.
	2] As a member of the Carmelite Order she made great progress in the search for perfection and received mystical revelations.
	3] After beginning the reform of her Order she underwent many trials which she intrepidly overcame
	4] She also wrote books of the greatest spiritual value which reflect her own experiences.
	5] She died at Alba in 1582, at the age of 67. St. Teresa was canonized in 1622, and named a Doctor of the Church, in 1970.
	c] SPIRIT & SIGNIFICANCE:
	1] St. Teresa is called by Christ to affect the reform of the Carmelite Order
	2] She is placed by Jesus at the very center of the Catholic counter reformation in the 16th Century, and her Order becomes universal
	3] A Catholic's life must be Christ centered and prayer centered
	4] Union with God is open to all mankind
	5] A Catholic must accept and embrace the commandments of Christ, and put his commandments into daily practice.
	d] THE LIFE OF PRAYER:
	1] INTRODUCTION: The following thoughts are taken from a wonderful booklet written by the contemporary Carmelite Friar, Sam Anthony Morello, OCD, titled "Divine Reading," and the practice of Teresian Prayer. Father Morello, writes to approach the subject of Teresian prayer [that is prayer after the pattern of St. Teresa of Avila] we need a broad perspective. This is necessary, although surprising, because there is no distinctively Teresian way to pray. There is not even a uniquely Carmelite way to pray. Carmel's spirituality is rooted in the greater tradition of Lectio Divina, [literally "Divine Reading"], a particular way of reading and praying over the Scriptures. St. John of the Cross writes "Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.** (Sayings,#158]
	2] MENTAL PRAYER: St. Teresa writes in her autobiography: "Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than intimate sharing with friends; it means taking time to be alone with Him who we know loves us." [Life 8,5]
	3] VOCAL PRAYER: In a word, vocal prayer is nothing but formulary prayer, praying a pre- fabricated set of words and sentiments, like the, "0ur Father," or a psalm. Our Holy Mother wants us to say our prayers well, with understanding, and attentively!
	4] MEDITATION: Teresa uses the word in reference to several prayful activities that all qualify as ascetical prayer or, "Meditation." Meditation for St. Teresa is a category of prayer. It is a prayer of effort, effort to think about and love the Lord. Meditation is all prayer this side of contemplation.
	5] THE CONTEMPLATIVE DIMENSION: Teresian prayer is oriented toward contemplation. This is another essential quality to appreciate. For St. Teresa, meditation is ascetical prayer; that is, it depends on our efforts as we exercise our faculties with the help of ordinary grace. Contemplation cannot be produced by our own efforts; it is completely gratuitous. We can dispose ourselves for it by the virtues and by praying in a very simplified affective way. But contemplation is an infused experience of the presence of God that gives light to the soul and warmth to the heart. Sam Anthony Morello, OCD [ Lectio Divina, ICS Publications]
	6] KINDS OF CONTEMPLATION: The Trappist Theologian, Thomas Merton, writes: "There is really only one kind of contemplation. The word, used properly, in its strict and correct sense signifies infused or mystical contemplation. This is also called "passive contemplation." It is a pure gift of God, and God is the principal agent Who infuses it into the soul and Who, by this means, takes possession of the soul's faculties and moves them directly according to His will." [Thomas Merton, "What is Contemplation" Templegate Publications]
	e] TEACHING EXCERPS:
	2] Prayer is the union with God as our Father and our most intimate friend
	3] Mysticism; Teresa emphasizes the mystical vocation of the Christian and of every human being
	4] Service: Teresa attests to the unity of life, and the mystical dimension of eccelsial service in her foundation of basic ideas
	5] Love: St. Teresa teaches the supreme value of charity. Without charity united with obedience, nothing worthwhile can be done.

	PART THREE: SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS
	a] INTRODUCTION
	1] St. John of the Cross is one of the great poets and literary figures of 16th century Spain
	2] He is regarded by the Church as her greatest and safest Mystical Theologian
	3] He ranks with St. Thomas Aquinas as one of the Church's greatest teachers
	4] St. John of the Cross is the Mystical Doctor of Love
	5] Major Works: The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle, and Living Flame of Love
	b] BIO-SKETCH
	1] John de Yepes was born in 1542 at Fontiveros and entered the Carmelite Order in 1563
	2] In 1568 he became, at St. Teresa's suggestionn, the first friar of the Order's reform, taking the name of John of the Cross
	3] He was a heroic defender of the reform for the rest of his life
	4] He died at Ubeda in 1591, and from that time he has enjoyed great esteem for sanctity and for the spiritual wisdom to which his writings testify
	5] Saint John of the Cross was canonized in 1726 and named a Doctor of the Church in 1926
	c] SPIRIT AND SIGNIFICANCE
	1] Mystical Contemplation: The supernatural experience of God, in love
	2] Union with Thomism: The ultimate framework of knowledge
	3] The practical science of contemplation and spirituality
	4] The direct path to God: Prayer and Detachment
	5] Among the greats of Spanish Literature
	d] THE LIFE OF FAITH
	1] The definition of the Theological Virtue of Faith is in two parts: Faith is a gift of God, and the perfection of the intellect
	2] St. Paul teaches, "that it is impossible to please God without faith, since anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who seek him." [Hebrews 11:6]
	3] St. John of the Cross teaches that union with God can only be accomplished by faith and love, and gives the three steps of the journey
	4] First, departure which is the "Mortification of the Senses"
	5] Second, the journey through "the Dark Night of Faith" and
	6] Three, arrival in Union with God which is described as "inexpressible joy"
	e] TEACHING EXCERPTS
	1] God and God alone is our beatitude
	2] The only proximate means of union with God are by faith and love
	3] If one is serious, one will have the habitual desire to imitate Christ in all things
	4] Whoever flees prayer flees all that is good
	5] Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation

	PART FOUR: SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS
	a] INTRODUCTION:
	2] The Little Way ( A practical way of perfection for all )
	3] Patron of the Missions
	4] A Saint most Powerful with God
	5] St. Therese's parents, Zelie and Louis, have been beatified by Pope John Paul II
	b] BIO-SKETCH
	1] Therese Martin was born at Alcenon in 1873
	2] At the age of fifteen she entered the Carmel at Lisieux
	3] She practiced heroic virtues by word and example
	4] She offered her life for the salvation of souls and the growth of the Church
	5] She died on September 30, 1897, was canonized in 1925, and named Doctor of the Church in 1997
	c] SPIRIT AND SIGNIFICANCE
	1] St. Therese's vocation in the Church is "love"
	2] Merriment is a sign of spiritual health and maturity
	3] Her autobiography, "Story of a Soul", is a masterpiece of simplicity in the spiritual life
	4] St. Therese is the little saint of common sense
	5] When asked "Why have you come to Carmel?", she answered, "I have come to Carmel for the salvation of all souls, and to pray for priests"
	d] TEACHING EXCERPTS:
	1] "it is impossible," I said, " for me to become great, so I must bear with myself and my many imperfections, but I will seek out a means of reaching Heaven by a little way - very short, very straight, and entirely new
	2] I will spend my Heaven in doing good upon Earth...in heaven God will do all I desire because I have never done my own will on earth...after my death I will let fall "A shower of roses"
	3] To love you must humble yourself

	PART FIVE: SUMMARY
	a] CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY
	2] Daily prayer, study, penance, and reparation
	3] Penance is defined as Obedience and Discernment
	4] Daily Labor for the Salvation of all Souls, including our own!
	5] A Militant Defense of Truth
	b] CATHOLIC RENEWAL AND EVANGELIZATION
	1] The theology of the Eucharist
	2] Papal sovereignty
	3] Catholic mysticism is based on Catholic Dogma
	4] A daily labor for vocations to the religious life
	5] The Propogation oof the faith, by prayer, example, witness, and teaching
	c] QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
	1] Questions from the audience
	2] Questions to the audience
	d] THANKSGIVING
	e] FINAL PRAYER

	Robert J. Albrect, OCDS
	June 20, 2001