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
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
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…
Chastity and Charity
We discuss chastity, both as the virtue practiced by all and as a vow taken by religious. We touch on some of the many misconceptions surrounding this important virtue, its importance in these days, and the great virtue it is meant to lead us towards, Charity. Chastity, like poverty, is meant to lead us to perfect detachment and closer union with God.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give ideas for some spiritual weapons that can be used to protect the virtue of chastity.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share some of the projects that have been keeping us busy the past few months, including sewing, gardening, and taking our yearly retreats. Read more…
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…
Poverty of Spirit
We are entering the last and most intense part of Lent, Passiontide. In this newsletter we continue the theme of detachment, only this time from the point of view of Poverty. We discuss both the vow taken by religious, our own practices and customs, as well as the virtue as it is meant to be practiced by all.
In WEBSITE NEWS we announce the launch of our new website and share some of the things that have changed.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph with special thanksgiving – thanksgiving for the conclusion of both the website and new building projects. Read more…
The Divine Sculptor
Time passes and here we are at the beginning of the sacred season of Lent! Often we receive emails asking about Lent: "Dear Sisters, what should I do for Lent? But outside of the Penances we do, there is God’s plan for our souls: His Providential arrangement for each soul, in all that He sends in the way of pain, inconvenience, annoyance, misunderstanding, disappointment, frustration, regret - troubles and problems of all kinds. Rather than active suffering, these afflictions require more passive suffering. We discuss one of St. John’s lesser known writing “The Precautions,” and the detachment that he recommends.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give the history behind the St. Benedict Crucifix which has become known as the Happy Death Crucifix. We also give suggestions for good Lenten reading and an update on our new website.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we give an update on our new building project and share with you some stories and pictures. We hope to move in soon! Read more…
Carmelite All Saints Day
It has long been the custom of Catholic Religious Orders to have a separate day, usually in November, to honor their own particular saints. Today, November 14th, is Carmelite All Saints Day . Again, just as on November 1st, the emphasis is on those whose feast day is not on the regular liturgical calendar, and those "unknown" Saints. We would like to introduce you to a few of these Carmelites - holy, prayerful, apostolic, heroic, and in love with Christ Our Lord: St. Peter Thomas, Blessed John Soreth, Blessed Fances D’Amboise, Sister Marie of Saint Peter, Mother Elias, and many others.
In WEBSITE NEWS we discuss the importance of Patron Saints, and the practice of using or wearing patron Saint medals. Of course there are preparations to be made for the season of Advent, and we are still working on our new website.
The biggest announcement in COMMUNITY NEWS is the start of a new building project. Read More….
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 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….