Category: Christmas and Advent

“All of Life is Advent”

“All of Life is Advent”

All too often, November finds many of us racing into the celebratory mood of Christmas, without a thought of Advent, that preparatory season of light penance and prayer. Father Delp, who wrote from his WWII cell in Nazi Germany, had many beautiful reflections on this holy season that are applicable today: "Advent is a time of being deeply shaken, so that man will wake up to himself…. Perhaps what we modern people need most is to be genuinely shaken, so that where life is grounded, we would feel its stability; and where life is unstable and uncertain, immoral and unprincipled, we would know that, also, and endure it… erhaps that is the ultimate answer to the question of why God has sent us into this time, why He permits this whirlwind to go over the earth, and why He holds us in such a state of chaos and in hopelessness and in darkness… More, and on a deeper level than before, we really know this time that all of life is Advent."

We don’t forget, during this month of November, our brethren the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Briefly meditating on their sufferings reminds us of the need to pray for them: “Purgatory, in all truth, the workshop of infinite justice. Divine severity and rigor are exercised there with an intensity that, to us on earth, is unknown... On the other hand, purgatory is the masterpiece of the heart of God, the most marvelous artifice of His love.”

In WEBSITE NEWS we touch on the history and symbolism behind the Advent wreath, a beloved Catholic custom during these days before Christmas. We also introduce our new relic badge of Our Lady of Guadalupe, briefly remember the story of this great apparition and patron of the Americas, as well as studying the intricate symbolism contained in Her image.

COMMUNITY NEWS contains the completion of our new shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. Read more…

Practice of the Presence of God

Practice of the Presence of God

The practice of the presence of God, remaining always in God’s presence, is a beautiful practice that will aid us in our spiritual life and help us prepare for the feast of Christmas. Brother Lawrence, a humble Carmelite Lay-brother, was a mast of this method of prayer. “Although he passed his life in retirement, still there is nobody in any state of life who cannot draw great profit from learning about his conduct. He will teach persons engaged in the world to address themselves to God, to ask His grace for doing their duty, even while they are performing their business.” – Practice of the Presence of God

In WEBSITE NEWS we look forward to Christmas, remembering that so many of the Christmas customs we have spring from our Catholic Faith and have deep Christian symbolism. We especially look at the custom of having a Nativity set and the history behind the Christmas tree and Christmas ornaments. We have also expanded our offering of Liturgical music.

Christmas preparations are busy in Carmel, and we document just a few of them in our COMMUNITY NEWS. Read More….

An Advent Novena

An Advent Novena

The “Christmas Novena” is a beautiful short prayer to help us prepare for the great feast of Christmas, Starting on the Feast of St. Andrew. St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, was known for his great love of the Cross and is a reminder to us where what the Nativity was only the beginning of, Christ’s act of Redemption. “O good Cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord; long have I desired you, ardently have I loved you, unceasingly have I sought you out; and now you are ready for my eager soul.” – St. Andrew

Early December we have the Feast of two Carmelite Martyrs, Blessed Denis of the Nativity and Blessed Redemptus of the Cross.

In WEBSITE NEWS we review the history behind the Miraculous Medal, and study the deep symbolism and lessons contained in its design – a design made by the Blessed Mother Herself! We also added an Advent chaplet to our site.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we update you on our many projects, and deal with a subject that is constantly being enquired about. “Please tell us how you became Sisters.” Every person’s path, story behind their vocation, is unique. Read More….

The Law of Praying is the Law of Believing

The Law of Praying is the Law of Believing

The liturgy, as Saints and Doctors of the Church so often instruct, is the most fruitful source for individual spiritual life, personal prayer and progress in our union with God. This is vividly brought before us at this time of year, as we end the liturgical year and begin another. The liturgical texts of Advent bring before our minds and hearts the sentiments we should have as we prepare for the two-fold coming of Christ, both at Christmas and then again at the end of time: “The Lord shall come to save the nations, and the Lord shall make heard the glory of His voice in the joy of your heart.” (Isaias 30:30)

In WEBSITE NEWS we give suggestions for Christmas gifts, including many new books for children that have been added to our site.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we share our joy with you at one of our Novice’s final profession and veiling. The ceremony of receiving the black veil is both a symbolic and moving one. Read More….

Advent and the Christmas Gift

Advent and the Christmas Gift

Advent once again, and we recall the beautiful lessons it teaches us - the preparation for the renewal of the First Coming of our Lord in hiddenness and mercy, and the preparation for His Second and Final Coming in judgment. In this Advent letter, we tell you about Stephene, a customer who became a friend and shared with us a Christmas poem she wrote about having a gift to give to Our Lord Himself on His birthday.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we share are story of trying to stain some stores in freezing weather as well as preparations for Christmas. Read More….

Advent and the Liturgy

Advent and the Liturgy

Beginning another liturgical year is meant to bring us all back to a vivid remembrance of God's purpose and plan of Redemption—and the call to holiness that His redemptive work has won for us. "Now during the season of Advent, our Lord knocks at the door of all men's hearts—at one time so forcibly that they must notice Him, at another, so softly that it requires attention and vigilance to know that Jesus is asking admission. He comes to ask them if they have room for Him, for He wishes to be born in their house.” – Abbot Dom Gueranger

In WEBSITE NEWS we give some good gift ideas for Christmas.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we give answers to some of the questions most frequently asked us by our readers: What do the Sister eat? What do the Sisters read? Do the Sisters use medicine and medicinal herbs like the monasteries of old? Read More….

Advent and the Angelus

Advent and the Angelus

"Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come to save us!" This urgent plea, taken from Psalm 79, is the constant prayer of this season of Advent and its liturgy. Although in our days, the ringing of the Angelus bell throughout each day is not as common as in past ages, what better way is there than to meditate on the coming of the Redeemer in this prayer.

In WEBSITE NEWS we give gift suggestions.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrated the first profession of another of novices. Read More….

A Christian Advent and Christmas

A Christian Advent and Christmas

Secular society, and its heavily commercial influence, pulls people into a worldly, month-long party with pretty much constant revelry and merry-making. Let us attend, then, to the words of our Divine Master Himself, who cautioned those He loves: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be overburdened with self-indulgence and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly, as a snare. For come it will upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. Watch, then, praying at all times…” (Luke 21:34-36)

In WEBSITE NEWS we give several ideas for valuable gifts of Faith.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we share details from the two sisters clothing ceremonies and we also made special banner for the feast of Christ the King. Read More….

Our Guardian Angels

Our Guardian Angels

Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels, and we remember some of the important functions of these, our greatest friends. As Carmelites, we have a special devotion to them.

In WEBSITE NEWS we prepare for Advent with Advent wreaths and Advent calendars.

COMMUNITY NEWS shares news of another clothing ceremony, “Carmelite engineering,” and the special ceremony of our renewal of vows. Read More….

End of the World

End of the World

People are not only wondering about tomorrow, but about the last tomorrow—the end of time, the end of all things, the day when God sends His angel to announce, “Time is no more!” For in world events, do we not all hear the echo of Christ’s own words? There will be “wars and rumors of wars … nation will rise against nation…there will be pestilences and famines and earthquakes…But all these things are the beginnings of sorrows…iniquity will abound, the charity of the many will grow cold…”

In WEBSITE NEWS we give ideas for meaningful Christmas gifts.

COMMUNITY NEWS find us creating another shrine on our grounds, this one to Our Lady of Fatima, besides dealing with some critter infestations on the grounds and some stories shared from our recreations. Read More….