St. John of the Cross with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Beginning to Pray Special

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St. John of the Cross with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Beginning to Pray Special – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss the relationship between St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. St. John initially considered joining the Carthusians due to his inclination toward the contemplative life. However, after encountering St. Teresa and her vision for the reform of the Carmelite order, he changed his vocation. St. Teresa convinced him that the renewal of the Church’s mental prayer and contemplation would be achieved through the reform of the Carmelites.

St. John of the Cross’ insights on the diversity of gifts within the Church are also mentioned, emphasizing the complementarity of different religious orders.

For The Ascent of Mt. Carmel Audio Book visit this Discerning Hearts page

For commentary on various sections of The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by Dr. Lilles’ visit this Discerning Hearts page

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.