Carmelite wisdom to encourage & inspire
In one memorable passage from the Ascent of Mount Carmel, St. John of the Cross explains how the Gospel passage concerning the narrow gate or narrow door is an excellent illustration of the Ascent of Mount Carmel: "Indeed the gate is very narrow, more so than you think."
St. Edith Stein explains how the love of Christ impels virginal souls "to descend into the darkest night": in this way, they resemble the Virgin of virgins who, beneath the cross, became the Mother of Grace.
The soul through original sin is a captive in the mortal body, subject to passions and natural appetites; when liberated from this bondage and submission, it considers its escape, in which it is unnoticed, unimpeded, and unapprehended by its passions and appetites, a sheer grace.
A soul ordinarily needs instruction pertinent to its experience in order to be guided through the dark night to spiritual denudation and poverty.
For God’s sake they are able to suffer a little oppression and dryness without yearning to return to those better times
In the hopeful and loving faith, the night begins to know “the rising of the dawn”
John of the Cross, with his own experience, invites us to trust, to let ourselves be purified by God
He knows that even though I don’t have the joy of the Faith, I try at least to do its work
It was night! The dark night of the soul! I felt I was all alone in the garden of Gethsemane
In order to hear God, people should stand firm and be detached
Only faith, hope, and charity can unite the soul with God in this life
How do you experience the light and darkness of God in your life?
Dark Night of the Soul performed by Central Washington University Chamber Choir, accompanied by the composer, Ola Gjeilo
16th c. Spanish co-founder of the Discalced Carmelite friars
A soul ordinarily needs instruction in order to be guided through the dark night
St. John of the Cross gives a reason for dryness in our prayer
Night is the necessary cosmic expression of St. John of the Cross’s mystical world-view.
Remembering the 440th anniversary of St. John of the Cross' nighttime escape from his prison cell in the Toledo
One understands that only the dying of the sensory being is felt and nothing is experienced of the beginning of the new life that is concealed beneath it.
"God darkens all this light and closes the door... now he leaves them in such darkness that they do not know which way to turn in their discursive imaginings.”
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Antonio Mas Arrondo
Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. ~ St. Teresa of Avila
Monasterio de las Batuecas Carmelitas Descalzos
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