Category: Church History and Customs

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
A Pledge of Her Protection

A Pledge of Her Protection

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…

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

In the face of the terrible scandals rocking the Church, we bring to mind some of the words and meditations of the Saints in similar times : “You asked Me to do mercy to the world... you prayed for the mystical body of Holy Church, that I would remove darkness and persecution from it... I promise you, that through the long endurance of My servants I will reform My Spouse (Holy Church, Bride of Christ). This is why I invite you to endure, Myself lamenting with you over the iniquities of some of My ministers....” – Our Lord to Saint Catherine of Siena. The Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross also gives many important lessons in the face of this crisis.

In WEBSITE NEWS we discuss the history and symbolism behind wearing devotional religious rings and have added many new styles to our website. We have expanded our selection of rosary bracelets and give many important recommendations for spiritual reading which highlight Church history and the difficulties the Church has passed through in the past.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we remember the renewal of our vows that is made on September 14th. Read More….

The Sacred Hearts and Fatima

The Sacred Hearts and Fatima

This year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima. In the June apparition, Our Lady showed us Her Immaculate Heart and asked for reparation. We look at a side by side comparison between the apparitions and requests of the Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary, and those made by Our Blessed Mother at Fatima. We also bring to mind the miracle at Hiroshima, that community that miraculously survived the nuclear bombing because of their faithfulness to Our Lady’s message.

In WEBSITE NEWS we look at the history of Sacred Images such as pictures, their importance as sacramentals, their meaning, and the aid that they can be to our spiritual life.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we concentrate on the beautiful procession we were able to have in honor of Our Lady, as well as the many other projects that are keeping us busy. 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….

Easter week 2016

Easter week 2016

Blessed Easter from the Carmelite Sisters! The Paschal Candle is the great sign of Christ Risen, and this beautiful symbol remains with us all throughout the 50 days of the Paschal season. We like to recall a beautiful prayer from the Vigil, just after the great pillar is lit: “May the light of Christ in glory rising again dispel the darkness of heart and mind!”

In COMMUNITY NEWS we review the days of Holy Week, which brought a lot of snow for a very “white Easter.” By popular request we also give an update on Zelie’s progress. Read More….

The Reason for Lent and the Stations of the Cross

The Reason for Lent and the Stations of the Cross

“We should remember that Lent is not an isolated personal affair of our own. The Church avails herself of the whole of the mystery of redemption. Each year, following Christ its Head, the whole Christian people takes up with renewed effort its struggle against evil, against Satan and the sinful man that each one of us bears within himself, in order at Easter to draw new life from the very springs of divine life and to continue its progress towards heaven.” What can we do to fully profit from the immense graces offered to us during Lent? What penances have been recommended?

We focus in particular on a devotion given to us by the Blessed Mother, the Stations of the Cross. We discuss the history of this devotion and how to practice it well. “ There is no practice more profitable for the entire sanctification of the soul than the frequent meditation of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.” - Saint Alphonsus de Liguori

We also study the life of St. Andrew Corsini, a virtually unknown Carmelite Saint, whose Feast Day is around this time.

In WEBSITE NEWS we look at the history and symbolism behind the Pardon Crucifix, a sacramental that was loved and promoted by St. Pius X. We also have several suggestions for good Lenten spiritual reading.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we document the arrival of our latest member, a mischievous and energetic german shepherd puppy names Zelie. We also finished our latest vestment project just in time for the Feast of the Purification. 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….

Defending God

Defending God

“In our time more than ever before, the greatest asset of those disposed toward evil is the cowardice and weakness of good men, and all the vigor of Satan's reign is due to the easygoing weakness of Catholics.” – St. Pius X As we see the world marching on its obstinate path away from God, we take heart in the example of souls who did believe, did hope and indeed loved! And were instruments of good and grace to transform the world, not only in their own time, but in centuries to come. These were the souls who found strength in understanding deeply their own weakness - and God's mighty strength. St. Teresa and St. Therese are two familiar names, but we also remember Blessed Nuno Alvarez, who was a knight become Carmelite, and St. Joan of Arc, who battled for the reign of Christ the King.

During this month of the rosary, in WEBSITE NEWS we remember other types of prayer beads called Chaplets.

These past few months have been full of projects – maintenance projects, landscaping projects, repair projects – and in COMMUNITY NEWS we share pictures of just a few of them. We also answer a question asked by many of our readers, “what are Carmelite recreations like?” Read More….

Freedom and the Martyrs of Compiegne

Freedom and the Martyrs of Compiegne

The day after the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is the feast day of the Martyrs of Compiegne, sixteen Carmelite Sisters who were put to death during the French revolution for remaining faithful to their religious life. We briefly visit their story, which is not well known, and discuss the irony – that though these woman were imprisoned and put to death for their Faith, not many experience the true freedom that they had. What exactly is freedom? To do whatever we want? “Liberty in the eyes of the world, is freedom to disobey as well as to obey, freedom to do evil as well as to do good. True liberty, according to the saints, is not freedom to disobey but only to obey, it is not freedom to do evil, but only to do good... It is the power to say with Satan: "I will not obey." ... If liberty is thus understood, clearly it is impossible to see how Jesus was free, He who never rebelled against divine authority or the commandments of His Father, and who could not rebel against them.” - Fr. Reginald Garrigous-Lagrange

In WEBSITE NEWS we have re-designed our Sacred Heart relic badge and describe the history of this devotion, beginning with Saint Margaret Mary herself. We also give suggestions for good spiritual reading.

All-night Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the highlight of our COMMUNITY NEWS. We also finished a vestment dedicated to St. Therese, the first face we have attempted with embroidery! 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….