St. John of the Cross describes with exquisite beauty the goal of every Christian: “the soul's aim is a love equal to God's. [...] In the strong union of glory,” he adds, “her love will be God's love.”
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Quote of the day, 10 December: Thomas Merton
As Thomas Merton discerned his vocation in 1941, he wrote in his journal on 4 November, “Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for me that I may refuse my God nothing…”
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Quote of the day, 4 December: Carmel in America
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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Quote of the day, 20 August: Blessed Georg Häfner
In Germany, the Discalced Carmelite family observes the memorial of Blessed Georg Häfner, priest of the Würzburg diocese who was martyred at Dachau on this date in 1942. His most famous quote, "We do not want to curse anyone..." comes from a letter to his parents three days before his transfer from Nazi detention in Würzburg to the concentration camp at Dachau. We have a translation of that tender letter in our quote of the day.
Quote of the day, 24 July: St. Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa of Avila is overflowing with love and praise as she begins her commentary on the Lord's prayer. "O my Lord, how You do show Yourself to be the Father of such a Son; and how Your Son does show Himself to be the Son of such a Father! May You be blessed forever and ever!"
Quote of the day, 21 July: St. Raphael Kalinowski
At the end of his canonical visitations to the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Poland, St. Raphael Kalinowski would offer words of encouragement to each monastery: "Love is strong as death. And just as nothing can resist death, love gives strength to triumph over every challenge. Then you don’t feel pain, and if you do you welcome it. From this fire of God’s love the flame of love of neighbor arises.
Quote of the day, 27 June: Jessica Powers
God fills my being to the brim with floods of His immensity. I drown within a drop of Him whose sea-bed is infinity....
Quote of the day, 25 June: St. Teresa of the Andes
St. Teresa of the Andes had a lively devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In this prayer from 1917, she writes, "may your Heart be my refuge, my hope, my consolation, my solitude."
Quote of the day, 23 June: Blessed Mary Josephine
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..."
Quote of the day, 10 June: St. Thérèse of Lisieux
On 10 June 1914 Pope Saint Pius X signed the decree introducing the cause for the beatification and canonization of Thérèse of the Child Jesus that was submitted by the Diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux.
Quote of the day, 26 May: St. Teresa of Avila
On the vigil of the Ascension in 1578, St Teresa writes to Padre Jerónimo Gracián and tells him about the "woman from Medina" who was sent to reset her broken left arm. "The cure involved a real struggle both for the woman and for me..."
Quote of the day, 30 April: St. John of the Cross
An recurring theme in the writings of St. John of the Cross is his counsel on how to achieve union with God; in other words, how to become a saint. In the Ascent of Mount Carmel, he explains in concrete terms the need to conform our will to God's will and to detach our soul from all things in order to go to God.
Quote of the day, 17 March: Jessica Powers
One may kneel down and make a plea with words from book or breviary... But some day, hidden by His will, if this meek child is waiting still, God will take out His mercy-key and open up felicity, where saltiest tears are given right to seas where sapphire marries light
Quote of the day, 11 March: St. John of the Cross
Since God ordains things differently from what we may have in mind, we must conform ourselves to his will. They have made me prior of this house in Granada, and it is a place very apt for the service of God. His Majesty does everything for the best.
Ukraine: In God’s hands
The Discalced Carmelites who remain in Ukraine look to the martyr Saint Edith Stein for inspiration and discernment because she was willing “to live and die in the hands of the Lord, as God wills and when God wills.” Father Józef Kucharczyk, OCD gives us an update and thanks us for our prayer and financial support.
Quote of the day, 2 March: Blessed Chiquitunga
Jesus, my Jesus! [...] You see my weaknesses, my cowardice, my fears, my miseries! [...] I'm afraid of sacrifice, of the Cross.
Quote of the day, 14 January: Père Jacques de Jésus
All that comes from God is wise and loving. We have only to accept his will with thanksgiving and adoration; it is what is best for us.
Quote of the day, 25 September: St. Teresa of the Andes
Jesus told me that He wants me to suffer with joy. This costs me so, but it is sufficient that He asks this, so that I'll try to do it.
Quote of the day, 24 August: St. Edith Stein
St Edith Stein tells the story of how "a small group of nuns and visitors" in 1560 began to discuss with St Teresa the idea of establishing a new monastery in Avila
Quote of the day, 3 August: Père Jacques de Jésus
Since God is all-powerful, his will embraces everything that happens in the world and in our lives.
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