Category: 2012

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….

St. Therese As She Was

St. Therese As She Was

As September draws to a close, Carmelites all over the world recall with fraternal love and admiration the generous life and holy death of St. Therese of Lisieux, "The Little Flower". But as we know and have remarked in a past newsletter, St. Therese can be misunderstood. The Way of Spiritual Childhood, as she called her "Little Way," has often been mistaken to mean childishness. Another misinterpretation of St. Therese has tried to place her in the defiant age of the mid-twentieth century, and has thus construed odd notions about what she wrote and said about herself. We do our best to describe St. Therese as she was and what really defined her spirituality.

In WEBSITE NEWS we recommend some excellent books on St. Therese.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we have been keeping busy with canning and autumn gardening, as well as vestment repairs. Read More….

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fatima, and The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fatima, and The Immaculate Heart of Mary

The founding Mothers of our Carmel chose the name of our Monastery, Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts, largely because of their devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. At Fatima, Our Lady promised that if her requests were fulfilled, God would grant the world a time of peace, but there can be little doubt that the solemn requests of Our Lady at Fatima have not been fulfilled. What do Carmelites do when faced with this heartbreaking reality?

In WEBSITE NEWS we have added some new books to our site.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we mention the large fire that destroyed many homes only thirteen miles from us. We also tell he special story of an adoption that was arranged between families of the Carmelite Sisters. Read More….

Lent in Secret

Lent in Secret

But before Carmel's yet deeper retreat from the world during these Holy Forty Days, we pass onto you a few lessons the Church offers her children to guide them through this time. "No Lent," the St. Andrew Missal instructs, "is worthy of the name without a personal effort of self-reformation, of leading a life more in accordance with God's commands and an attempt by some kind of voluntary self-denial to make reparation for past negligence.

A wonderful Carmelite Saint who faithfully followed the Savior's example in mortification was St. Teresa Margaret of the Divine Heart.

In WEBSITE NEWS we have expanded our cord rosary options.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we continue our Liturgical sewing work. We also comment on St. Teresa’s words: “God save us from sad-faced saints!” Read More….