Born in Springfield, Massachusetts Father John Russell joined the Carmelites in 1953 and professed first vows in August, 1954.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in philosohphy from  St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y. (1957).  After studying at the Carmelite International House and the Lateran University in Rome, Fr. Russell returned to the
United States with a Bachelor’s and a License in Sacred Theology (S.T.B. and S.T.L.).  His first years as a priest were spent in high school ministry, teaching Romance languages. He completed a Master of Arts in educational administration at Roosevelt University in Chicago. In 1970 Fr. Russell began studies at the Catholic University of America, where he completed his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.), His doctoral dissertation was on the development of the theology of revelation in the United States in the decade after Dei Verbum.  Subsequently, he began an association with Immaculate Conception Seminary, the graduate school of theology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, for twenty-two years, teaching Christian Anthropology and a variety of courses in Christian and Carmelite spirituality.

He has published chapters in books and articles in such publications as The Irish Theological
Quarterly, Carmelus, the Downside Review, Church, Pastoral Life, Studies in
Spirituality, Spiritual Life, Review for Religious and others. He has cassette programs
published by Alba House Communications: “Becoming Spiritually Mature”, A Path to a
Contemplative Heart”, “A Journey with St. Therese of Lisieux: Doctor of the Church,”
and “Transforming Nothingness into Fire”.  From 1995-2000 Fr. Russell served as
Spiritual Director at Immaculate Conception Seminary.  He returns as professor of Christian Spirituality and is involved in the ministry of spiritual formation.
 

Father Russell has done primary research on the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse.  He comes to Mount Carmel with extensive study on St. Thérèse and will guide us on a “Walk with St. Thérèse.”

Father Russell  returns to Immaculate Conception Seminary after spending two years as the Carmelite Director of Novices and was elected in June, 2002 to serve as the Prior Provincial of the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. Over the course of his years at Immaculate Conception Seminary, he lived with his Carmelite community in Cresskill, N.J. and was quite involved in parish ministry.