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…

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Model of the Interior Life

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Model of the Interior Life

Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has as its particular trait dedication to the interior life. What is the interior life? What is its importance and how do we grow? How is the Blessed Mother a perfect model and teacher for us? The liturgical Feast days of the past few months (Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, and Sacred Heart) follow closely upon the Paschal Season and Pentecost. These three mysteries encapsulate as precious fruits of the Redemption, providing sure direction for our spiritual life.

In WEBSITE NEWS we give many reading recommendations for aid in the interior life. We also introduce our eBay store as a payment solution for U.K. and E.U. customers.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we review some projects from the past few months: vestment projects, raising a litter of puppies and others. We also take a brief look at our time. Read More….

In His Likeness

In His Likeness

In these few short years, when we have seen so many changes in the “landscape” of the world – personally, socially, culturally, politically, morally, emotionally – we felt it very fitting and timely this Lent to give further emphasis to devotion to the Holy Face and its original and ongoing purpose.

In WEBSITE NEWS we have added several images of the Holy Face to our selection of religious art. Each image has a special history and background.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we recently enshrined an image of the Holy Face in our new oratory. We also introduce the four puppies that were born at the Monastery last month. Read more…

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

“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….

Prince of Peace

Prince of Peace

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…

Defend Us in Battle

Defend Us in Battle

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…

Trust in Divine Providence

Trust in Divine Providence

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….

A Sign of Contradiction

A Sign of Contradiction

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….

Be Converted to Me with All Your Heart

Be Converted to Me with All Your Heart

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…

Independence Through Submission

Independence Through Submission

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…