“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.”… Read More...
As to persons living in the world, they shall find in this devotion all the aids necessary in their state of life: peace in their homes, consolation in their work, the blessing of heaven upon all their enterprises, comfort in their sorrows, a secure refuge during life and especially at the hour of death. It is plainly evident that there is no one in the world who will not receive all kinds of heavenly blessings if they have a true love of Jesus Christ manifested by a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. – St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Simplicity in life and in our spiritual life is what our loving God desires for us. God, Who is holiness and simplicity itself, and Who made us in His Own image, urges us by His grace in our souls, to become like Him. The lesson of simplicity is really all about detachment and trustful abandonment to God and His Providence – all for love’s sake and for the life that we must share with God. It’s about love!
In WEBSITE NEWS we give the history and describe the beautiful symbolism behind devotion to the Infant of Prague, as well as spiritual reading suggestions and suggestions for Advent.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share pictures of our projects from the last few months, especially new gowns we made for the renovation of our own Infant of Prague statue. Read More….
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….
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….
In these few short years, when we have seen so many changes in the “landscape” of the world – personally, socially, culturally, politically, morally, emotionally – we felt it very fitting and timely this Lent to give further emphasis to devotion to the Holy Face and its original and ongoing purpose.
In WEBSITE NEWS we have added several images of the Holy Face to our selection of religious art. Each image has a special history and background.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we recently enshrined an image of the Holy Face in our new oratory. We also introduce the four puppies that were born at the Monastery last month. Read more…
Fasting, the ancient practice of Lent, has a history importance and meaning that is underestimated and not known by many of us Catholics today. It was by breaking a type of “fast” appointed by God that Adam and Eve committed original sin, and it is by this practice that we strike that the very root of the evil in our souls. By looking more closely at this and other Lenten practices, we hope to diminish some of the proverbial "gloom and doom" of Lent, and help you to see this Season for what it is, a grace and a great gift - a much needed medicine which stings, but heals the soul. We also touch on devotion to the Holy Face, a devotion important to many Carmelites including Saint Therese.
In WEBSITE NEWS we have recommendations for spiritual reading (another important practice in Lent), including the “cross and crown” books (available for a limited time only since these books are out of print).
In COMMUNITY NEWS we touch on our latest building/home improvement project, a small mud room outside our kitchen door. Read More….
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….
“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….
The Church dedicates this entire month of June to the Sacred Heart, encouraging her children to this devotion, which is, simply enough, devotion to the love of Our Savior, of which His Heart is the symbol. “My Son, give Me your heart,” God says to all souls (Proverbs 23:26). We visit the miracle of Lanciano, one of the most astounded and scientifically verified miracles of all time, where Our Lord showed us a cross-section of that Heart in the most Blessed Sacrament.
In WEBSITE NEWS we explain the features and improvements we incorporated into the new website which has finally launched.
COMMUNITY NEWS shares some of the stories and adventures we encountered creating the new site, as well as some other projects – completing our hermitage and keeping up with the gardens. Read More….