Holy Souls Mass Remembrance
We share the story of Our Lady of the Bowed Head, a miraculous image of Our Lady that has a special connection to the Holy Souls. And we remind you to submit your names for the November Mass remembrance. Read more…
Our Lady’s Warnings
The Apparitions at La Salette - The messages of motherly warning, which Our Lady gave on the mountain in 1846, concerned the sins particularly offending the good God in the world. But Our Lady’s prophecies did not stop with the immediate punishments soon to befall France. In two “secrets” revealed to the seers, one to Melanie and one to Maximin, Our Mother gave us fore-warnings about what was to happen to the world from that day until the end of time. Our Lady’s message for faithful Catholics in the face of such dire warnings: prayer, penance, conversion, reparation.
In WEBSITE NEWS we introduce the Purple Scapular, and new holy cards.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share news and pictures from our recent projects – the garden, the sewing room, our recent vow renewal – and we reflect on the importance of doing one’s daily duty.Read More….
Sanctity in the Home
The family is the foundation stone of civilization. In and through family life, the Catholic faith is passed from generation to generation. By the proper education and training of children, by hidden, constant practice of virtue, by fidelity to daily duty, Catholic parents form the shape of souls and of society. This is surely why the family is, and long has been, so viciously under attack. Family life, the sanctity of marriage, the very vocation and identity of Mothers and Fathers – for these, Satan does not spare in his efforts to distort, ridicule, pervert and redefine. In this letter we wish to share a few words of encouragement, as well as sources of spiritual renewal, for those of you on the “front lines” leading the battle for Christian civilization – we share audio sermons, excellent books, and more!
In WEBSITE NEWS we honor Our Lady during this month of May with a new Mediatrix of all Graces vintage holy card re-print and a new statue of Our Lady of Good Success. We also have a new chrism scented candle.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share updates and pictures from the past few months. Read More….
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
Our June letter finds us in midst of the “Summer Feasts” – a full and busy season in Carmel. In midst of our many ordinary duties, we have the privilege of praying the Offices and chanting the Masses for one Feast Day after another. As we mentioned earlier, we presently find ourselves between two Feasts that are truly gems of the treasure of the Liturgical year: Corpus Christi and Sacred Heart. Unique in that Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself inspired and demanded their celebration, they proclaim doctrinal truth and express the love and adoration of God’s children in the truth.
In WEBSITE NEWS we have several new items to share, as well as some beautiful reading recommendations for more information on the Sacred Heart and the Holy Eucharist.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we share an abundance of pictures, including the building of our new outdoor St. Therese shrine. Read More….
Jesus Living in Mary
Holy Church dedicates the month of April to the Most Blessed Sacrament, since Our Lord instituted this, the greatest of the Sacraments, in April, on the night before he died. But May is right around the corner, so we wish also to dedicate this newsletter to Our Lady. Most fitting and fortuitous! For the Body and Blood of Jesus in this Sacrament was formed in His Blessed Mother. Jesus and Mary! To Jesus through Mary, for through her, He came to us.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give suggestions for First Communion gifts, including good books to help teach children how to receive this most important Sacrament.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we give an update on the community and all the projects that we have been involved in the past few months. Read more…
The Apostles’ Retreat
It was during these days of the “first retreat” between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost that the Apostles underwent the last and most difficult part of their spiritual training. The season of Pentecost is the season of sanctification. Throughout our life, it is our turn to “fight the good fight” and carry Christ’s truth and victory banner into the world.
We also remember the anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima and all her message means for the modern world.
In WEBSITE NEWS we give suggestions for reading during this holy Liturgical season, introduce some new images of Blessed Mother, and give an update on our attempts to update the rosary ordering process on our website.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we finally finished the big vestment project we have been working on for the last four years – a solemn vestment set for Easter. We share pictures and stories of how a solemn set like this is made. Read more…
King and Center of All Hearts
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….
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Model of the Interior Life
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….
Trust in Divine Providence
In these days when so much of our lives seems outside our control, let us always remind ourselves that just because it is outside of our control does not mean that it is outside God’s control. Let us trust God to be God….that is, let us depend on the fact that He is as almighty, all loving, all knowing, as we say He is - and that nothing can happen to us, the bad as well as the good, that is outside His loving Providence. How does one practice abandonment to Divine Providence, and thereby find great peace of soul in times of affliction.
In WEBSITE NEWS we introduce our new 100% beeswax candles and talk about the candle as both a symbol and Sacramental. Candles have a long tradition in the Church and are given to us directly through the Liturgy.
In COMMUNITY NEWS we review some of the recent Carmelite Feast Days and share pictures from our recent vestment projects as well as our gardens. 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….