Holy Souls Mass Remembrance
We share the story of Our Lady of the Bowed Head, a miraculous image of Our Lady that has a special connection to the Holy Souls. And we remind you to submit your names for the November Mass remembrance. Read more…
Spiritual Father and Guide
The writings of St. John of the cross have proved a help and inspiration to countless souls – “ordinary” Christians, living hurried, active lives with little time for more than the barest obligations of their faith, find in these “incomprehensible” and “too subtle” treatises something applicable to their particular needs. What is this something? To what type of Christian, other than the contemplative, does St. John of the Cross appeal? What message, if any, can this sublimest of mystics have for the world of today?
In WEBSITE NEWS we look forward to the season of Advent, sharing spiritual reading recommendations, and new items to assist in the devotion of Christmas
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share some stories from the last few months, as well as stories about the sacramentals we have shipped to customers through our website.Read More….
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…
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 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….
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….
The Shortness of Time and the Length of Eternity
"Time." What is it? And what is its worth? Understanding time, and its value, is perhaps done best by realizing what time is not: time is not eternity. How often is it that we do not realize the value of the time that we have, time that will not always be available to us. “The present moment is ever filled with infinite treasures; it contains more than you have capacity to hold. “ – Father Pere de Caussade There will come a time for judgment and for eternity. "If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything to change their lives." - Our Lady of Fatima
In WEBSITE NEWS we are excited to introduce a new foundry, Vexilla Regis, which will be manufacturing wood laid crucifixes by hand in the same style (and in fact taught by) the famous Bancel company in France which has since closed. The story behind this undertaking is an interesting one! Also see our new selection of children’s books.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we describe our recent days of retreat and have finally finished the sewing/embroidery project that has occupied us the last two years. The Immaculate Conception vestment was based off one worn by Pope Pius XII, and is the most ambitious embroidery project we have yet undertaken. Read More….
Septuagesima
Septuagesima, though not well known, is an important preparatory Liturgical season for Lent, the season of the examination of conscience. Knowing ourselves better, our sins and where they come from, we are more equipped to do battle and conquer our faults during Lent.
In WEBSITE NEWS we review once again the important of good spiritual reading during this time of penance and share some book reviews from our other customers. We have a new relic badge dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and briefly discuss the history behind this image and devotion.
In WEBSITE NEWS we review once again the important of good spiritual reading during this time of penance and share some book reviews from our other customers. We have a new relic badge dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and briefly discuss the history behind this image and devotion. Read More….
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….
Why must we do Penance?
Once again it is the season of Lent, and we have again taken up the Christian warfare against sin in and around us. The true Christian always has the answer to the question, "Why do we suffer?" And closely related to that question, especially during Lent, is, "Why must we do penance?" The questions remain at the heart of many sorrowful, confused lives - and they are answered by the most sound, consoling responses, all rooted in the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Saints and the holy friends of God give us the key to understanding suffering.
In WEBSITE NEWS we look at the history behind and symbolism contained in the St. Benedict Medals. It is the only medal blessed by the Church with a special exorcism and is very powerful against the devil! Holy water is also a very powerful weapon against temptations, and we briefly discuss its significance, especially in light of the upcoming feast of Easter. Our Lenten newsletters also always contain suggestions for good Lenten spiritual reading.
A beautiful vest in honor of St. Joseph, complete with green velvet and intricate embroidery, is finally finished. We share some of the adventures with you in our COMMUNITY NEWS section, along with an important discovery we made for the Lenten Carmelite diet, fava beans! Read More….