If You Wish to Be Perfect, with Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS

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.