Carmelite wisdom to encourage & inspire
St. John Paul II wrote that St. Thérèse, Doctor of the Church, “became a living icon of that God who, according to the Church's prayer, ‘shows his almighty power in his mercy and forgiveness’.” Here are two brief quotes on mercy from Thérèse that demonstrate this truth.
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As the Church marks the tenth anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, we read a brief, early homily that demonstrates St. Thérèse’s influence on the pontiff: “Jesus has this message for us: mercy.”
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When a close friend was filled with anxieties before an operation, St Elizabeth of the Trinity wrote to encourage and console her friend: “I am asking God to ease them, to calm them Himself.”
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We recall the birth of Venerable Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament on this day in 1619. Her devotion to the "Little King of Grace" and his statue in the Carmel of Beaune inspired her to have unshakeable trust in the Infant Jesus.
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Brother Lawrence comforts a sick nun, saying: "God indeed knows what we need, and everything he does is for our good." Brother Lawrence urges us to recognize and accept God's loving action.
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"Christ is my utmost need," writes poet Jessica Powers. "I cling with all my strength unto a nail-investigated hand." This poem is a testament to the poetic genius of Powers, known in religion as Sr. Miriam of the Holy Spirit, OCD.
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St. Edith Stein writes, “In faithful trust, we must abandon our souls to the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. It is not necessary that we experience the epiphany in our lives.” Edith urges trust and abandonment.
In a recent web exclusive column published in First Things magazine's online edition, scholar and author George Weigel recounted a conversation with Pope Benedict XVI in September 1997. At that moment, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Weigel recalls that he asked Ratzinger this point-blank question: "Why is Thérèse of Lisieux a Doctor of the Church?" We are grateful to First Things for their permission to publish excerpts of Benedict's magisterial reply.
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“I abandoned and forgot myself, laying my face on my Beloved…” Thank you for joining our St. John of the Cross novena; join us once again for our St. Joseph novena in March 2023.
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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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Brother Lawrence offers concrete advice to those who struggle with besetting sins; he says that we much carefully examine “which sins we commit most often, and which are the most frequent and inevitable of our falls.” Then, “we must have recourse to God with complete confidence at the moment of combat.”
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St John of the Cross has advice for us about asking God for favors: He has “more compassion when He beholds the need and resignation of a soul that loves Him;” in other words, God doesn’t need our opinions about what is best for us!
In one quote we see the foundation of the doctrine of immovable trust in God that was echoed, almost word for word, by St. Thérèse of Lisieux some 200 years later.
On the eve of the solemnity, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity writes to a close friend to assure her of Elizabeth's faithful prayers "during the great novena in preparation for Our Lady of Mount Carmel."
St. Titus Brandsma advises us that when we face difficulties, "Pray with Mary the Mother of the Lord. Turn your eye to God and ask Him what you should do."
Blessed Mary Josephine of Jesus Crucified Catanea was a Discalced Carmelite nun from Naples who had experienced a miraculous healing and had great trust in God's will. We share one of her many famous quotes: "God's will is a kiss of His love..."
We share excerpts from Père Jacques' 1943 retreat conference on Hope and Abandonment: "When we sin against against hope, we effectively say to God: "I reject. You are wicked and heartless. I have no confidence whatsoever in you goodness"..." Père Jacques gives us the antidote and a beautiful prayer that is pleasing and powerful in the eyes of God.
We began the month of May rejoicing with St John of the Cross in the knowledge that "the Mother of God is mine." Today, Bishop Báez reminds us who she is. "Mary reveals herself to us: empty of self, placing all her trust in the Father's mercy."
Titus Brandsma's love for Mary was contagious. He had learned to live "with Mary, for Mary, and in Mary", according to the teachings of Carmel's Marian spirituality and he explained this to his students, directees, and friends.
We remember and celebrate the anniversary of the day Pauline Martin was clothed in the Discalced Carmelite habit, Friday 6 April 1883 in the Carmel of Lisieux
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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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