Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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

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….

Lent, a Season of Healing

Lent, a Season of Healing

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….

“All of Life is Advent”

“All of Life is Advent”

All too often, November finds many of us racing into the celebratory mood of Christmas, without a thought of Advent, that preparatory season of light penance and prayer. Father Delp, who wrote from his WWII cell in Nazi Germany, had many beautiful reflections on this holy season that are applicable today: "Advent is a time of being deeply shaken, so that man will wake up to himself…. Perhaps what we modern people need most is to be genuinely shaken, so that where life is grounded, we would feel its stability; and where life is unstable and uncertain, immoral and unprincipled, we would know that, also, and endure it… erhaps that is the ultimate answer to the question of why God has sent us into this time, why He permits this whirlwind to go over the earth, and why He holds us in such a state of chaos and in hopelessness and in darkness… More, and on a deeper level than before, we really know this time that all of life is Advent."

We don’t forget, during this month of November, our brethren the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Briefly meditating on their sufferings reminds us of the need to pray for them: “Purgatory, in all truth, the workshop of infinite justice. Divine severity and rigor are exercised there with an intensity that, to us on earth, is unknown... On the other hand, purgatory is the masterpiece of the heart of God, the most marvelous artifice of His love.”

In WEBSITE NEWS we touch on the history and symbolism behind the Advent wreath, a beloved Catholic custom during these days before Christmas. We also introduce our new relic badge of Our Lady of Guadalupe, briefly remember the story of this great apparition and patron of the Americas, as well as studying the intricate symbolism contained in Her image.

COMMUNITY NEWS contains the completion of our new shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. Read more…

Our Lady of Fatima and Our Daily Duty

Our Lady of Fatima and Our Daily Duty

Concluding this year marking the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, we look more closely at Her message, especially that of our daily duty, and what it means for our day to day life. Our Lady was not the first to recommend this practice; it has been the age old practice of the Saints and their road to such sanctity. "To live the Christian life is to live by Christ, to see all things through Him by the light of His grace, to love through His adorable Heart, to pray through His own divine prayer, to work through Him and for Him in order to bring the whole world back to Him, to suffer with Him, and to make up what is wanting to His redemptive Passion. . . . This is not the work of a single day; it requires sustained effort and constant and ever-renewed generosity in the face of our inevitable tendency to backslide... These perspectives should illumine our souls as we perform our daily tasks.” - Fr. Ernest Mura

WEBSITE NEWS introduces the relic badge that we designed to commemorate the centenary. We share with you an excerpt from a sermon given to our community on how to pray the Rosary, and we explore the history behind the green scapular. Read some extensive reviews about a few of our favorite books about St. Therese.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we detail our attempts to complete some new wood inlaid crucifixes, introduce our new puppy, and remember the recent solar eclipse in light of the Miracle of the Sun. Read More….

The Sacred Hearts and Fatima

The Sacred Hearts and Fatima

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….

Septuagesima

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….

Practice of the Presence of God

Practice of the Presence of God

The practice of the presence of God, remaining always in God’s presence, is a beautiful practice that will aid us in our spiritual life and help us prepare for the feast of Christmas. Brother Lawrence, a humble Carmelite Lay-brother, was a mast of this method of prayer. “Although he passed his life in retirement, still there is nobody in any state of life who cannot draw great profit from learning about his conduct. He will teach persons engaged in the world to address themselves to God, to ask His grace for doing their duty, even while they are performing their business.” – Practice of the Presence of God

In WEBSITE NEWS we look forward to Christmas, remembering that so many of the Christmas customs we have spring from our Catholic Faith and have deep Christian symbolism. We especially look at the custom of having a Nativity set and the history behind the Christmas tree and Christmas ornaments. We have also expanded our offering of Liturgical music.

Christmas preparations are busy in Carmel, and we document just a few of them in our COMMUNITY NEWS. Read More….

Prayer and the Rosary

Prayer and the Rosary

We give many lessons from the Saints on how to pray, and how to pray well! How often is it that we overcomplicate prayer, unlike the simple Catechism answer which states “Prayer is the lifting up of the mind and heart to God.” How do we start? How do we combat distractions? What sentiments and ends should our prayer focus on? We also discuss briefly one of the most famous of Catholic prayers, the Rosary – a prayer prayed in the company of the Blessed Mother as She teaches us about the life of Christ. It is lofty, and difficult to pray well!

In WEBSITE NEWS we introduce a new relic badge, that of My Mother My Confidence. Not many know the history behind this image and devotion to Our Lady, one which has a special place in tragic times of war and unrest.

Fall has definitely arrived, and in COMMUNITY NEWS we are busy raking needles, picking peaches, and preparing for winter. Read More….