“O Emmanuel!” (God with us) This is the last of the “O Antiphons,” and it will be sung today during Vespers. It is the final heartrending plea of Holy Mother Church before the great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. We must all make this plea our own, perhaps more than ever before in our own lifetimes. Read More….
Most people desire peace. They desire peace of mind and of heart, peace with themselves, in their families and friendships, peace at work and at home. They have a constant yearning for it, but so often, it seems ever out of reach. Perhaps it seems out of reach because many don’t know what peace really is. In this newsletter we discuss what peace is and how it is attained.
In WEBSITE NEWS we remember some chaplets that would be good to pray in these times, most especially the Rosary, which was recommended to us by Our Lady of Fatima: "Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace in the world."
In COMMUNITY NEWS we describe a “normal” day at Carmel, from the time we rise in the morning until the time we go to bed at night. Read more…
We should not forget, during these days of struggle, that a deadly enemy is behind and within all the battles we wage in this world. If we fight this war with Satan alone, we shall surely be defeated. But God promises us that we will not be attacked or tempted beyond our strength, if we look to HIM to be our strength and call upon His aid. St. Michael the Archangel is God’s appointed general in the war against Satan. He has always been invoked as a defender of the Church. More than once he has come to her aid. It would be a mistake to think that he, and all the Angels, have no care, interest, or involvement of our lives here on earth.
In this newsletter we share stories about these, our Heavenly patrons, as well as a prophetic vision that resulted in Pope Leo XIII composing a personal exorcism which he recommended be prayed often in our combat with Satan.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give suggestions for spiritual reading about the angels.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we just recently renewed our vows, and have been keeping busy with several projects. Read more…
In these days when so much of our lives seems outside our control, let us always remind ourselves that just because it is outside of our control does not mean that it is outside God’s control. Let us trust God to be God….that is, let us depend on the fact that He is as almighty, all loving, all knowing, as we say He is - and that nothing can happen to us, the bad as well as the good, that is outside His loving Providence. How does one practice abandonment to Divine Providence, and thereby find great peace of soul in times of affliction.
In WEBSITE NEWS we introduce our new 100% beeswax candles and talk about the candle as both a symbol and Sacramental. Candles have a long tradition in the Church and are given to us directly through the Liturgy.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we review some of the recent Carmelite Feast Days and share pictures from our recent vestment projects as well as our gardens. Read More….
Let us celebrate the joy and victory of Easter, despite all outward circumstances. Know of our prayers for a share in the Paschal joy for all of you.
We also share pictures from our recent clothing ceremony. Read More….
During the weeks of February and March, as each day passed, more and more people from across the globe have been contacting us, asking for prayers in circumstances unprecedented in our lifetime. As ever, holy Church in Her liturgy instructs, comforts and guides us. Our duty as faithful members of Christ is to remain in peace. Read more…
In recent newsletters, we have offered for your interest and devotion a discussion of the Vows of Religious Profession. We have spoken about Poverty and Chastity, both as virtue and vow; and we have tried to relate the important aspect of virtue to the Christian life of every one of us who belong to Christ – the vocation all Christians have to holiness, those who are not professed religious, as well as to Religious.
In this newsletter we consider the last vow of Obedience, the one that people find most difficult! The trouble is that it is hard to renounce what we all cling to most closely, what practically makes up the core of our personality: the independent use of our liberty. But in this is the gift that loving obedience is. Yes, the whole perfection of spiritual life – and the whole of true freedom – consists in the renouncement of self-will, as St. Bonaventure tells us.
We discuss the vow of Obedience as lived in religious life, the virtue as it leads to Faith, and how Obedience heals the very root of sin, and is therefore a good Lenten Penance.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give suggestions for Lenten reading and introduce several new children’s books and Missals.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we are working on sewing projects, including new habits for an upcoming clothing ceremony. We are keeping in our prayers all of those who have effected by the corona virus. Read more…
We share a few thoughts and meditations as we get ready to start the season of Advent and a new Liturgical year.
In WEBSITE NEWS many suggestions for spiritual reading and show samples of some of our new Christmas card designs.
In COMMUNITY NEWS thank God for the blessing of the new building and share some pictures from our daily work. Read more…
We discuss chastity, both as the virtue practiced by all and as a vow taken by religious. We touch on some of the many misconceptions surrounding this important virtue, its importance in these days, and the great virtue it is meant to lead us towards, Charity. Chastity, like poverty, is meant to lead us to perfect detachment and closer union with God.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give ideas for some spiritual weapons that can be used to protect the virtue of chastity.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share some of the projects that have been keeping us busy the past few months, including sewing, gardening, and taking our yearly retreats. Read more…
A very happy feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to you all! As we celebrate this great day we remember some important lessons about the Scapular; “We can truly say that the garment of grace was woven by the blessed hands of Mary, who day by day, moment by moment, gave herself entirely, in union with her Son, for our salvation... She has cooperated in the obtaining the garment of our eternal salvation, the wedding garment in which we shall enter the banquet hall of heaven.”
In WEBSITE NEWS we are happy to see that devotion to the Brown Scapular is spreading, in fact we can no longer keep up with the orders! But we have a solution for this happy problem.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share pictures and stories from moving into the new building, as well as the other projects which have kept us so busy the past few months! Read more…