The Apostles’ Retreat

The Apostles’ Retreat

It was during these days of the “first retreat” between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost that the Apostles underwent the last and most difficult part of their spiritual training. The season of Pentecost is the season of sanctification. Throughout our life, it is our turn to “fight the good fight” and carry Christ’s truth and victory banner into the world.

We also remember the anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima and all her message means for the modern world.

In WEBSITE NEWS we give suggestions for reading during this holy Liturgical season, introduce some new images of Blessed Mother, and give an update on our attempts to update the rosary ordering process on our website.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we finally finished the big vestment project we have been working on for the last four years – a solemn vestment set for Easter. We share pictures and stories of how a solemn set like this is made. Read more…

Blessed Easter!

Blessed Easter!

The light of the Resurrection is eternal! No darkness may reverse or conceal it. Christ, our Victim and our Savior, reigns, “despite His enemies”. May this serene and holy light penetrate the souls of all the redeemed and renew the Church of our Risen King. Read more…

Head of the Holy Family

Head of the Holy Family

Happy upcoming Feast of St. Joseph! Today, we wish to highlight St. Joseph’s special patronage of families. Every Catholic knows that St. Joseph is the patron of families and family life. His exalted vocation, by God’s singular design, was to be the father-on-earth of God the Son Incarnate – and to be head of the Holy Family. St. Joseph guides everyone, he prays for everyone, he is everyone’s patron saint!

In WEBSITE NEWS we introduce a new relic badge for the Holy Family, as well as scented candles, St. Joseph books, and Easter books

In COMMUNITY NEWS we give an update on the community for the past few months. Read More….

Candlemas

Candlemas

This feast marks the official end of the “Christmas season,” and serves as something as a fulcrum between the first part of the liturgical year, Christmas and Epiphany, and the second part, Lent, Passiontide, and Easter. For while the joy and charm of Christmas and the Birth of the Christ Child are renewed with prayers that proclaim Him “the Light of the World,” this event in Our Lord’s life was His “Offertory” – the prelude to His sufferings and redemptive work. It is also the day designated for the special blessing of candles, an important Sacramental for the Church.

We also introduce new our new offering of scented candles and give suggestions for Lenten reading. Read more…

Holy Simplicity

Holy Simplicity

Simplicity in life and in our spiritual life is what our loving God desires for us. God, Who is holiness and simplicity itself, and Who made us in His Own image, urges us by His grace in our souls, to become like Him. The lesson of simplicity is really all about detachment and trustful abandonment to God and His Providence – all for love’s sake and for the life that we must share with God. It’s about love!

In WEBSITE NEWS we give the history and describe the beautiful symbolism behind devotion to the Infant of Prague, as well as spiritual reading suggestions and suggestions for Advent.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we share pictures of our projects from the last few months, especially new gowns we made for the renovation of our own Infant of Prague statue. Read More….

King and Center of All Hearts

King and Center of All Hearts

In times of worldwide unrest, we instinctively look for answers and for someone to lead us out of it; a leader who could pacify the unruly chaos that rules society and so troubles humanity. The sublime prayer of the Litany of the Sacred Heart addresses Our Lord with many worthy titles that both proclaim and petition His Heart’s mercy to help, guide and lead us. One of these is Heart of Jesus, King and Center of all hearts, have mercy on us!

In WEBSITE NEWS We share devotionals related to the Sacred Heart, including many different images for enthronement in the home.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we review some of the events in the Monastery the past few months, from the late Winter storm to our latest vestment project. Read More….

Our Lord in the desert
Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline

Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline

The time of Lent is perhaps the only time that some people think to take stock of their lives with some measure of seriousness. That is a good thing – and this “taking stock” is meant to become a habit in the spiritual life. Indeed, it is something serious Christians do every day. It is called examination of conscience. How do we make a good examination of conscience?

In WEBSITE NEWS we introduce a new book Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline, as well a new Passin of Christ relic badge, Gregorian chant streaming, and Pastel colored Easter candles.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we remember many deceased persons related to our Carmel. Read More….

Look Up, Lift Up Your Head

Look Up, Lift Up Your Head

Throughout the important Feastdays celebrated this past month (Christ the King, All Saints Day, Commemoration of the Poor Souls), one cannot help but turn one’s thoughts to one’s own eternal destiny. The joys of Heaven, the purifications of Purgatory….all are brought before our minds just as the Liturgical Year comes to a climax. It is the intention of Holy Mother Church that we turn our meditations towards our death and judgment, and ultimately the Last Judgement, which is both the theme of the last few Sundays of the year and the focus of the penitential season of Advent.

Meditating on the Last Judgement, and even our own death, has a very specific and salutary purpose in the spiritual life: it serves as both warning and consolation.

In WEBSITE NEWS we explore some of the meaning Catholic meaning behind popular Christmas customs and give recommendations for Spiritual Reading. Read more…

Ecce Mater Tua

Ecce Mater Tua

The greatest gifts are often given to us in the midst of trouble and sorrow. We may not recognize them at the time, but later on, when time has passed, we gain some understanding of the treasures bestowed in sorrow. Behold the hill of Calvary and the Holy Cross – no treasure can compare with the wealth of good that came to all the world, for all time, to every soul from Love Crucified. With redemption and the victory over sin and death, we also received a Mother. In the history of the Church, God’s Mother and ours has revisited her sorrows by visiting earth – always with a message of compassion for our peace. What can we learn from our compassionate and sorrowful Mother?

In WEBSITE NEWS speak briefly about the rosary, St. Therese, and our new St. Michael relic badge.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrate the First Profession of one of our novices. Read more…