Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris of St. Thérèse, OCD is a Discalced Carmelite of the Province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a contemplative order of friars with a charism of “seeking union with God through friendship with Jesus Christ in the spirit of Mary.” Fr. Michael-Joseph is the Subprior and Director of Postulants in the Community of Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin.

After studying philosophy at St. John’s University in NY and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, Fr. Michael-Joseph was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC in 2011. He served for 4 years as a Parochial Vicar in Rockville, MD and one year as an Assistant University Chaplain.

In 2016 Fr. Michael-Joseph entered initial formation with the Discalced Carmelites and made his first profession of vows in 2018. He studied Carmelite spirituality in both Ávila and Madrid, obtaining a License in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical University of Comillas in 2022. He professed his final vows with the Carmelites in February of 2023.

In addition to appearing on Ascension Presents, Fr. Michael-Joseph is a member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies (ICS) and also a host of the ICS Publications podcast, Carmelcast. In his leisure time, he likes reading the Spanish mystics and hiking.