Tag: Catholic Culture and Customs

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….

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….

The Reason for Lent and the Stations of the Cross

The Reason for Lent and the Stations of the Cross

“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….

An Advent Novena

An Advent Novena

The “Christmas Novena” is a beautiful short prayer to help us prepare for the great feast of Christmas, Starting on the Feast of St. Andrew. St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, was known for his great love of the Cross and is a reminder to us where what the Nativity was only the beginning of, Christ’s act of Redemption. “O good Cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord; long have I desired you, ardently have I loved you, unceasingly have I sought you out; and now you are ready for my eager soul.” – St. Andrew

Early December we have the Feast of two Carmelite Martyrs, Blessed Denis of the Nativity and Blessed Redemptus of the Cross.

In WEBSITE NEWS we review the history behind the Miraculous Medal, and study the deep symbolism and lessons contained in its design – a design made by the Blessed Mother Herself! We also added an Advent chaplet to our site.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we update you on our many projects, and deal with a subject that is constantly being enquired about. “Please tell us how you became Sisters.” Every person’s path, story behind their vocation, is unique. Read More….

Freedom and the Martyrs of Compiegne

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?

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….

Advent and the Angelus

Advent and the Angelus

"Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come to save us!" This urgent plea, taken from Psalm 79, is the constant prayer of this season of Advent and its liturgy. Although in our days, the ringing of the Angelus bell throughout each day is not as common as in past ages, what better way is there than to meditate on the coming of the Redeemer in this prayer.

In WEBSITE NEWS we give gift suggestions.

In COMMUNITY NEWS we celebrated the first profession of another of novices. Read More….

Novena in Honor of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Novena in Honor of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

We come to you this time with an invitation. It is an invitation to pray with us during a novena of Masses being offered from September 7-15. We are asking no favor for ourselves or for anyone. We are having this novena of Masses offered in reparation to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We added a chaplet in honor of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary to our website, and we have finally completely moved into our new building! We also try to answer a frequently made demand from our readers…the vocation stories of the Sisters. Read More….