Category: Church History and Customs

Remembrance of the Holy Souls

Remembrance of the Holy Souls

This SPECIAL EDITION of our newsletter is dedicate to the Poor Souls in Purgatory as the month of November will shortly be upon us. A custom here at the Chapel is to place the names of our deceased family members and other loved ones on the altar to be remembered at all of the Masses here during the entire month. We invite you to do the same!

If we knew we could still help those we love who have departed from this world, wouldn’t we want very much to do it? Learning more about this doctrine can up us help them, and we give several reading suggestions on this topic. Read More….

The 5th Centenary of St. Teresa of Avila

The 5th Centenary of St. Teresa of Avila

A few centuries ago, this feast day was instituted to celebrate the victory of one of the greatest Christian battles in history, the battle of Lepanto. This year also marks the 5th Centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila, a cause to celebrate for all Carmelites! St. Therese, and the Holy Angels and also remembered during this month of October.

In WEBSITE NEWS we’ve added two new chaplets to our website, the chaplet of St. Raphael (known as the healer and also “the matchmaker” and patron of those seeking a spouse) and the chaplet of St. Peregrine (patron saint of cancer sufferers).

In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrate the final profession of one of our Sisters. Keeping up with canning and gardening is a challenge at this time of year! 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….

Divine Providence

Divine Providence

Who among us is without personal, family, health, and economic troubles these days? How should we all face these trials, sometimes so overwhelming and so humbling? The Christian’s answer lies in the beautiful mystery of Divine Providence. There is a divine purpose in whatever occurs in our lives, and we must strive to see that purpose in every person, every event, every joy, and every pain that we experience.

In WEBSITE NEWS we have been concentrating on our scramentals apostolate. Just what are sacramentals? We always like to explain what they are by borrowing a definition most familiar to Catholics of all ages: A sacramental is an outward sign, instituted by Christ through His Church to give grace.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we have finished the new shrine to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and are busy preparing the garden for winter. Read More….

St. Bartholomew’s Day

St. Bartholomew’s Day

This feast day marks a special one for Carmel, since it is the day that Our Holy Mother St. Teresa founded the first Monastery of the reform 444 years ago. We mark the anniversary with a special procession in thanksgiving for our Carmel.

In WEBSITE NEWS “build a custom rosary” has continued to be improved, now allowing for side medals. We have expanded our offering of crucifixes and other religious art.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrated the clothing ceremony of one of our novices, whose family came all the way from Poland to attend. Read More….

Novena in Honor of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Novena in Honor of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

We come to you this time with an invitation. It is an invitation to pray with us during a novena of Masses being offered from September 7-15. We are asking no favor for ourselves or for anyone. We are having this novena of Masses offered in reparation to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We added a chaplet in honor of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary to our website, and we have finally completely moved into our new building! We also try to answer a frequently made demand from our readers…the vocation stories of the Sisters. Read More….

The Advent Wreath

The Advent Wreath

A time-honored and holy custom of Advent is the family Advent wreath. We discuss the meaning behind this Catholic sacramental and how to use it.

The building progress has continued and we are looking forward to an upcoming clothing. One adventure was moving the very heavy outdoor Saint Joseph statue to a more prominent place in the garden. The construction men were happy to help us move St. Joseph to his new home! Read More….

Receiving the Brown Scapular

Receiving the Brown Scapular

We are happy to share the joyful news of the Reception of the Holy Habit of Mount Carmel. Clothing Day is always a most joyous day, a truly family day and, for the new Carmelite bride, a day of beginning in earnest the life of consecration to Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. We describe the different parts of the habit and why we wear them, especially the brown scapular.

We designed a new Brown Scapular having all the traditional, time-honored symbols and message of this favored sacramental of Holy Mother Church, including washable woven emblems and 100% wool, and if you do not already own and wear a scapular, we urge you to learn more about it! Read More….