Carmelite wisdom to encourage & inspire
Discalced Carmelite historian Peter-Thomas Rohrbach shows us how our First Reading for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) fits within the Carmelite legend of Elijah and Elisha and the Carmelite tradition, which indicates that we have inherited their double spirit.
Father Paul-Marie of the Cross explains the meaning of the Marian title, "Beauty of Carmel." For Carmelites, Mary is the brightness of eternal light...
It is hardly surprising to learn that the poet Jessica Powers was a great hymn writer, too. One of the hymns that she wrote for the Carmelite liturgies appears on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In it, she mentions the gift of the scapular.
Simon, an Englishman, died at Bordeaux in the mid-thirteenth century. He has been venerated in the Carmelite Order for his personal holiness and his devotion to Our Lady.
Carmel desired to bring together in one single memorial its own martyrs who, in different locations in Spain, bore witness during the long and bloody Civil War (1936-1939). Mentioned in this memorial are Father Angel Maria Prat Hostench, O. Carm., killed with his community in Tarrega in 1936, and Father Lucas of St. Joseph O.C.D., killed with his fellow friars in Barcelona, also in 1936. In this memorial, we also remember the groups from Lérida, Tarragona, Toledo, Olot, Terrasa, etc.
Blessed Baptist Spagnoli served generously in the leadership of the Carmelite Order at the beginning of the 16th century. He was vicar general of his congregation six times, and in 1513 was elected prior general of the whole Order. In his treatise on patience, he wrote, "the word of scripture proved to be a solid bulwark against my anxieties."
The house of Bethany was the delight of Jesus when He was on earth; ; it was His favorite dwelling. There He was intimately known by Lazarus, served by Martha and madly loved by Mary.
Throughout the weeks of Lent, Saint Luke and the Carmelite saints will introduce us to the mystery of Divine Mercy in preparation for the great Easter feast. In Week Three, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection says that God in his mercy lets us make up for lost time so that we can return to him in trust and abandonment. "He is always ready to receive us lovingly."
"When I love, it is forever. A Carmelite never forgets. From her little cell she accompanies the souls she has loved in the world."
"He made a document, I saw the writing: it is in all languages... A founder!… my heart leaps with gladness. [The Carmel of Nazareth] is endowed!"
I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph and earnestly recommended myself to him...It is an amazing thing the great many favors God has granted me through the mediation of this blessed saint, the dangers I was freed from both of body and soul.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote a small play about the flight into Egypt and St. Joseph has a speech in the play about God's goodness and mercy. God "will magnificently reward not only the striking things done for Him, but also the simple desires to serve Him and love Him, because He sees everything."
St. Joseph placed before my eyes all the graces with which God had favored me
I began to have devotion towards several saints, but, before all, to the holy angels and to St. Joseph, whom, in my childlike simplicity, I took to be an angel.
Throughout the weeks of Lent, Saint Luke and the Carmelite saints will introduce us to the mystery of Divine Mercy in preparation for the great Easter feast. In Week Two, St. John of the Cross invites us to move from despair to joy and to rely on God’s mercy.
All the Sisters with their veils raised came to greet me with such affection that I was embarrassed. They asked me when I was coming. I told them in May. Then one went to look at the calendar... It turned out the seventh was the Feast of Saint Joseph, and they commended me to him.
I see that God does grant the prayers of His Carmelites since baby and mama are doing so well... I’m sure Saint Joseph will finish his work and you’ll be able to nurse your little darling.
Right now, various ones are trying to find some way for me to be interned in a German priory of our Order... I have put the entire matter into the hands of St. Joseph who took the Virgin...
Throughout the weeks of Lent, Saint Luke and the Carmelite saints will introduce us to the mystery of Divine Mercy in preparation for the great Easter feast. In Week One, St. Teresa of Avila testifies to the reality of mercy and shows us the way to fall in love with God: to desire his mercy more and more.
Throughout the weeks of Lent, Saint Luke and the Carmelite saints will introduce us to the mystery of Divine Mercy in preparation for the great Easter feast. On Ash Wednesday, we contemplate God's merciful love with St. Thérèse.
Carmelite Quotes 
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