Carmelite wisdom to encourage & inspire
On 30 January 1226, Pope Honorius III signed the bull "Ut vivendi normam," which approved St. Albert's Rule and guaranteed the existence of the Carmelites. Tradition indicates that the Virgin Mary herself appeared in a dream to the Pope, recommending the approval of the Order, and announcing the sudden death of two of its principal enemies.
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The apostolic visitation of Discalced Carmelite religious caused many headaches for St. Teresa of Avila. Today is the anniversary of Pius V’s decision to entrust those visitations to the Dominican friars.
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On the anniversary of St John of the Cross’s canonization, we read a quote from St Edith Stein’s “Science of the Cross,” which recounts an assault on John from an angry lover whose girlfriend John converted.
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In the waning hours of 13 December 1591, St. John of the Cross predicted his death at midnight. Fr. Iain Matthew, O.C.D. and St. Edith Stein provide us with the account of John's holy death.
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Discalced Carmelite scholars Kieran Kavanaugh and Iain Matthew help us to trace the origins and outcome of St. John of the Cross’s planned mission to Mexico, where the Discalced friars first arrived in 1585.
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In 1829 Sr Stanislaus of the Child Jesus from the Carmel of Baltimore received this prayer from her Jesuit spiritual director: “No more my sins shall tempt me to despair, My Father pities and forgives and hears a child's repenting prayer.”
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On 29 November 1638, Blesseds Denis of the Nativity and Redemptus of the Cross were martyred at Aceh, Indonesia. Learn about their mission to the Sultan and St. Teresa of Avila’s prophetic words written 60 years earlier.
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On 28 November 1568, the Discalced Carmelite friars began their new life in Duruelo. St Teresa wrote: “the first Mass was said in that little stable of Bethlehem, for it doesn't seem to me the house was any better.”
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St. Thérèse replies on this date in 1896 to two letters from Maurice Bellière—his anguished plea in July from the barracks in Caen and his grateful 14 October thank-you after his return to the seminary.
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In St. Edith Stein’s biography of St. Teresa of Avila, we read this bold statement: “One who loves feels compelled to do something for the beloved.” It describes not only St. Teresa of Jesus but St. Teresa Benedicta, too.
Saint Edith Stein was born on this date in 1891, the youngest of seven children. Sister Teresia Renata, her novice mistress tells us about the beginning of Edith’s “life in a Jewish family” as seen from the Carmelite perspective.
Edith Stein was canonized in Rome on 11 October 1998. In this blog post we share excerpts from the homily of St John Paul II and images that reflect her life and mission.
On 6 October 1571 St Teresa left the Carmel of Medina del Campo to return to Avila as prioress of the Monastery of the Incarnation, where she was once a member. Fr Kieran Kavanaugh explains this trying situation, including the reasons why an Apostolic Visitation was needed and the concrete human and financial challenges facing Teresa.
Saint Teresa of Avila died in the arms of her nurse and companion, Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew, at 9:00 in the evening on the 4th of October in the year 1582 in the Carmel of Alba de Tormes. We recount the events of that monumental day.
St. Teresa of Avila received Viaticum on the evening of 3 October 1582 in Alba de Tormes. Her confessor and first biographer, Francisco de Ribera, S.J., captured her words: “Oh my Lord and my Spouse, now the desired hour is come.” Learn more about those moments.
St Raphael Kalinowski was aware of the news, even as he aged. We note that he greatly distrusted the Russian Church: "From Moscow with caution! You cannot trust her sincerity." And when delinquents attacked a Carmelite procession in Rome, he wrote, "how long, O Lord?!"
St. Thérèse's biographer Conrad de Meester, o.c.d. reminds us that her “last breath came with her last words: “My God, I love you.” Now love had taken full possession of her being.”
When Uncle Isidore Guérin died on this date in 1909, Céline was crushed in spirit, anguished that she could not be at her family’s side. She wrote to her cousin Jeanne, “if only you knew… how cruel the Rule seems at moments such as these...” But then she paused to reflect: “nothing of what we do for God is cruel” but sometimes it’s very painful, she added.
We recall the birth of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine on this day in 1752, sharing important details about the “Act of Consecration”—not a vow of martyrdom—that she proposed to her spiritual daughters, the Discalced Carmelite nuns of Compiègne.
The Servant of God Herman Cohen was the first to lead a pilgrimage to Lourdes on 20 September 1858. Hundreds of people joined him in front of the grotto, although it was still blocked off by barricades and the civil authorities forbade close access to the site. He made quite an impression on St. Bernadette.
!["I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph and earnestly recommended myself to him. [...] I don’t recall up to this day ever having petitioned him for anything that he failed to grant."](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/336879821_1374507696727108_3000064146961560788_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=GeKBPoaKfMcAX9XXZx1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfDmBYblWOwsYQvUyHlJnRrInTp75BauFCPmLcEA6oDkAA&oe=641F987B)
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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
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