Meditations from Carmel

The Place of Splendor

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Little one, wait.
Let me assure you this is not the way
to gain the terminal of outer day.

Its single gate
lies in your soul, and you must rise and go
by inward passage from what earth you know.

The steps lead down
through valley after valley, far and far
past the five countries where the pleasures are,

and past all known
maps of the mind and every colored chart
and past the final outcry of the heart.

No soul can view
its own geography; love does not live
in places open and informative.

Yet, being true,
it grants to each its Raphael across
the mist and night through unknown lands of loss.

Walk till you hear
light told in music taht was never heard,
and softness spoken that was not a word.

The soul grows clear
when senses fuse; sight, touch and sound are one
with savor and scent, and all to splendor run.

The smothered roar
of the eternities, their vast unrest
and infinite peace are deep in your own breast.

That light-swept shore
will shame the data of grief upon your scroll.
Child, have none told you? God is in your soul.

** Sr. Miriam of the Holy Spirit – 1945

The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers Edited by Regina Siegfried and Robert Morneau. ICS Publications 2131 Lincoln Road, NE Washington, DC 20002-1199 Reprint of the most extensive anthology of this noted Carmelite poet, which she approved five weeks before her death. Includes introduction by Bishop Morneau.

Listening in the Dwelling places of the Interior Castle

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:16:00 -0500

Though our podcast library is quite large and will fill a good amount of space on your ipod, it is once again time to get back to podcasting after our summer break. We thank you for your patience and hope your meditations have been filled with the beauty of our Creator!

To slowly break back into production here we thought we might alert our listening audience to a wonderful new Audio Conference

Series. It is a set of conferences entitled, "Listening in the Dwelling places of the Interior Castle" and was a retreat given by Dr. Susan Muto, PhD from the Epiphany Association in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The retreat was given during this past Lenten season and it was to be a "companion" to Dr. Muto's book, "Where Lovers Meet: Inside the Interior Castle" published by the Institute of Carmelite Studies. The formative talks were given to both the Carmelite Nuns at the Carmel of St. Joseph and to our OCDS community.

The complete Audio series is a 10 CD Book and runs approximately 10 hours and can be purchased through the Epiphany Association. Their Toll Free phone number is 1-877-324-6873.

You can listen to a brief excerpt on the embedded MP3 below or by following this link.

Epiphany Association
820 Crane Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15216-3050
412-341-7494 (Phone)
412-341-7495 (Fax)
1-877-324-6873 (Toll Free)
info@epiphanyassociation.org

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 9

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 18 Jul 1982 19:00:00 -0500

It is always sad when you come to the end of a Novena like this one to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The beautiful habit of making your pilgrimage to the Carmel of St. Joseph with the prayerful intention of love and devotion to Our Lady is just so awesome and wonderful that it is a habit you don't want to break! It is a good and generous thing that the Sister's daily invite all to their chapel for Eucharistic Adoration of Our Blessed Lord -- and may the faithful know that the Holy Rosary is prayed EACH night of the year at 7:45 p.m. in the chapel so you can keep your Novena going!

Tonight Mt. Carmel was especially blessed to have celebrating the final night of Novena Masses the new Archbishop of St. Louis, his Excellency Robert Carlson. The Archbishop told a story of his recent adventure 3,000 miles away in the mountains of Columbia where on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel he celebrated another Novena. The novena was celebrated with a Carmelite Community of Nuns which have been established there since 1584! The Carmel is in a little village some 3 1/2 hours from Bogota.

"And so from South America to St. Louis we bridge two cultures and two different ways of honoring our Blessed Mother. And so tonight as we celebrate this mass we ask that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel would place the Archdiocese of St. Louis under her protective care," said the Archbishop.

Wow! That certainly is a most wonderful blessing for our city of St. Louis. We are so very thankful for the Archbishop to call upon our Mother and her maternal care under the most beautiful title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. It is her beautiful and loving mantle which wrap us in safekeeping and as we wear the garment of her brown scapular, we pledge our devotion to her. Surely it is known that a most important mission of Carmelites to pray especially for Priests. And so we will continue to do so for the Archdiocese and the world.

The Bishop was assisted tonight by Deacon Anthony Yates and the Rosary was led by Kenrick Glennon Seminarian, Peter Fonseca. The choir was from St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Brentwood.

You can pray along to the Most Holy Rosary and Benediction here.
You may listen to Archbishop Carlson's Homily here.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 8

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500

It is the second to last night of this beautiful outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and it has been an unusually refreshing July Night with cool temperatures in the high 60s! What a blessing for St. Louis!!! The Rev. Mark Chrismer Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart, Valley Park celebrated mass tonight and he was accompanied by the Filipino-American Friendship Choir and their lovely voices.

You may Listen to Father's Homily Here.

We invite you to Pray along to the Joyful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary and Benediction prayers here. The Rosary is traditionally led by one of our most wonderful Seminarians from Cardinal Glennon College Seminary. You will recognize the voice tonight as seminarian, Charlie Samson.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 7

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500

The rosary is a very powerful weapon in the fight against Satan said Monsignor Cronin's in his homily on The Blessed Virigin Mary Queen of Peace. He asked us to pray to God through the intercession of our Lady for three favors.

First, for the Spirit of Love which binds us together to live as one family in peace. Two, to give us the gifts of Unity and Peace which Christ gave, and only Christ can give, through His death and resurrection. And thirdly, for tranquility. To be able to stand before the forces within and without and to be able to have peace knowing that we are not alone.

Our Blessed Mother teaches us that one of the ways to be able to receive peace is through penance. Put simply, through self-denial. By giving ourselves in prayer and uniting ourselves to Christ on His cross. What wonder's can take place if all of us can more perfectly love the Lord, His church and its teaching and our Blessed Mother. What gifts we have as Catholics and how much we need to proclaim them!

Monsignor's homily here.

You can listen in and pray along to the Rosary and Benediction here.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 6 – THE FEAST DAY!

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500

It was just after the first reading from the Book of Kings where Elijah is upon Mt. Carmel looking for a sign across the ocean on this feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel when the skies upon St. Louis started to change dramatically. As Elijah witnessed a little cloud like a man's hand is rising out of the sea, so did many of the clouds surrounding the Monastery look mysterious. Never fearful Our Lady's children were wrapped safely under her mantle and as the thunder sounded and the lightning flashed, never a drop of rain fell upon her feast day outdoor mass celebration.

How awesome it was to have Father Daniel Chowning, OCD from the Discalced Carmelite Hermit Community in Hinton, West Virginia here for Our Lady's feast. He spoke in his homily about the beauty of Our Lady noting that wherever there is beauty there is God. "Mary is resplendent with Heavenly beauty because God dwelt within her and from her womb came Jesus Christ," he said. He then explained how when St. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin Mary on July 16, 1858 which was her last apparition, she said that Mary was more beautiful than ever. And, afterwards she said, "Once you see the beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you want to die to see it again."

Father reminds us that prayer, that intimate loving relationship with God who dwells within us and when we open ourselves up to that relationship we are transformed, we come to know that we are loved. And once we know we are loved by God, this creates beauty within us. It also allows us to see the beauty in other people and the beauty of the world around us. Intimate prayer with God allows God to imprint His beauty, and His goodness and His love in us. And, to bring out the beauty and the goodness and the love with which He has created in us. Because He created out of love and for love, woven into the very fibers of our being is an image of the Trinity, a God of love, a God of relationship.

Father's homily was so wonderful and you can hear it here (along with some thunder-rumblings!)

The Luminous Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary and Benediction service can be heard here.

Happy Feast day!!!

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 5

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Wed, 14 Jul 1982 19:00:00 -0500

Father Daniel Chowning, OCD from the Discalced Carmelite Hermit Community in Hinton, West Virginia was the celebrant again tonight for the fifth night of masses celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the Carmel of St. Joseph. He spoke tonight on the topic of the Mary, the Immaculate Conception.

Father wonderfully told the story of St. Bernadette in Lourdes and explained that in 1854 the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated by Pope Pius IX. Interestingly though, Father spoke of the Carmelites celebrating this tradition as far back as 1306!

Father explained how our vocation is to imitate Mary and to become transformed into the mystery of God through prayer. "To pray is to open ourselves up to God's transformation.... For in the very depths of our being is woven an image of God of Love."

You may listen to Father's homily here.

You are invited to pray along the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary and Benediction here.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 4

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Tue, 13 Jul 1982 19:00:00 -0500

St. Louis was a busy town tonight with two big events. Downtown, Busch Stadium was hosting Major League baseball's All Star game. Certainly many televisions were tuned into the action, however, more wonderful than baseball, the Carmelite Nuns continued their hosting the Annual Outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel at their Monastery grounds a few miles west of the game. The faithful gathered in chapel to pray the Rosary and then spread out to the front lawns for another beautiful evening of prayer.

Tonight we were blessed to have Father Daniel Chowning, OCD from the Discalced Carmelite Hermit Community in Hinton, West Virginia celebrating the mass. We are most thankful that Father will be with us until the Feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. His homily on Mary of Nazareth was so inspiring as he demonstrated how the Blessed Virgin lived out an ordinary life of faith and discipleship. Mary, in great example to us, lived this "ordinariness" with "extraordinary holiness". She lived a hidden daily life working, caring and loving Jesus and Joseph. She washed and cooked and cleaned and surrendered to the Holy Will of God with complete trust in His plan.

Father explained that "When we love one another, when we care for one another, when we try to live a life of patience, of gentleness and of care for the people around us in our homes ... all the little things we do in our lives are charged with Divine Grace and it is there that God comes to meet us. It is there that we grow in the deepest holiness."

His homily is inspiring and you can listen here (please excuse the occasional breeze distorting the sound -- and enjoy the cicada's singing!)

Father was assisted at Mass by Deacon Norman Werner and the choir was from St. Mark's parish.

The Most Holy Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) and Benediction

Father Chowning's Homily

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 3

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 12 Jul 1982 19:00:00 -0500

Celebrating Mary, the Cause of our Joy, the Reverend Father David Skillman led the third night of masses in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel here at the Monastery. Father Skillman is the Associate Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish but has been serving at the annual outdoor novena since he was a Seminarian!

The Choir tonight was from St. John the Baptist and the mass was assisted by the Deacon James Holbrook. It was another cool and beautiful evening on the front lawns of the Monastery grounds. Seeing many young souls at mass was wonderful especially to see them honor our Mother with their devotion after receiving Holy Communion. May she smile upon their young hearts as she leads them to her Son, our Lord.

Please Pray along with us to the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary and Benediction.

You may Listen to Father Skillman's homily here.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena – night 2

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 11 Jul 1982 19:00:00 -0500

While the day in St. Louis was quite stormy and many big thunderstorms passed over the city, early evening brought a clearing of skies. With hopeful hearts the decision was made to celebrate mass outside for the Novena to Our Lady. The faithful gathered on the front lawns after praying the Rosary and praying Benediction in chapel and as mass began a cool breeze comforted all.

Celebrating mass with the theme of "Mary, Mother of Divine Hope" the Rev. Timothy P. Elliott, Pastor, St. Gianna Parish was accompanied by the Deacon Albert Vaughn. The St. Gianna Parish Choir full of children's voices led all in song.

You may listen and pray along to the Rosary here.

You may listen to Father's homily here.

Annual Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel - night 1

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sat, 10 Jul 1982 19:00:00 -0500

Last night we began the Annual Outdoor novena in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the Carmel of St. Joseph here in St. Louis. In an effort to let you pray this novena with us we will be sharing photos and audio from each night of the Novena. You may listen and pray along with us in the Rosary and Benediction services which are held in the chapel before the Novena begins on the front lawns of the Monastery. Then you may listen to the homilist from each mass.

The theme of Saturday evening's mass was Mary, Disciple of the Lord. Mass was celebrated by Father Michael Houser the Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish. Father Houser was assisted in mass by Transitionary Deacon Anthony Ochoa. The choir was a selection of beautiful voices from the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus who also reside in St. Louis.

Rosary and Benediction

listen to the homilist

The Cloister

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sat, 26 Jun 1982 19:00:00 -0500

Nobody lives in this shining house but God,

though shadowy figures tremble to and fro.

Over these cool grey stones that suffering made

only the pierced feet of the Master go.

Afire went through this place and gutted it;

a living flame of love

over the ruins a fog of silence spread.

Nobody comes here but the pale young Christ

Who loves a shelter uninhabited

– Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit

For a Child of God

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 20 Jun 1982 19:00:00 -0500

The saints and mystics
Had a name
For that deep
Inwardness of flame,
The height or depth
Or ground or goal
Which is God’s dwelling in the soul.
Heaven
Because God is there
All day and when
You wake at night
Think of that place
Of living light,
Yours and within you
And aglow
Where only God
And you can go.
None can assail you
In that place
Save your own evil,
Routing grace.
Not even angels
See or hear,
Nor the dark spirits
Prowling near.
But there are days
when watching eyes
could guess that you
hold Paradise.
Sometimes the shining
Overflows
And everyone
Around you knows.
Child has no one ever told you
God is in your soul.

time – 4:00

Pool of God

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:59:19 -0500

There was nothing in the Virgin’s soul

that belonged to the Virgin–

no word, no thought, no image, no intent.

She was a pure, transparent pool reflecting

God, only God.

She held His burnished day; she held His night

of planet-glow or shade inscrutable.

God was her sky and she who mirrored Him

became His firmament.

When I so much as turn my thoughts toward her

my spirit is enisled in her repose.

And when I gaze into her selfless depths

an anguish in me grows

to hold such blueness and to hold such fire.

I pray to hollow out my earth and be

filled with these waters of transparency.

I think that one could die of this desire,

seeing oneself dry earth or stubborn sod.

Oh, to become a pure pool like the Virgin,

water that lost the semblances of water

and was a sky like God.

– Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit (Jessica Powers)

Beautifying my soul with His teachings…

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:48:53 -0500

Beautifying my soul with His teachings…
St. Teresa of the Andes
Letter # 141 to Amelia Montt Martinez

October, 1919

“May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with your soul.

There are only a few more days left before my taking the habit. And the days seem so long while I wait to be clothes with it.

I am the happiest person with my vocation and never tire of thanking God for having brought me to this little corner of heaven. I live for God alone. My soul concern is to know Him that I may love Him more. I have begun the life of heaven here on earth, a life invented and thought of by God through all eternity; a life of love alone and of ceaseless praise. If you could see but for an instant what’s in the soul of this Carmelite postulant, you’d understand the happiness of living always near the tabernacle. Alone with Him in His aloneness, I am there at the chapel grates or in my humble cell. There is nothing between Him and His creature now. I hear His divine voice always. I gaze on always and contemplate His infinite beauty. I feel always the beating of my God’s Heart, begging me for love because He knows that love contains everything; sacrifice and souls.

Sister dear, without doubt, as Jesus Himself said to Magdalene, He has chosen for me “the best part.” A Carmelite is to be concerned with her God alone. She’s to live no longer on earth, but in God. She is to move and to work and to breathe far from people, far from earthly things. We are to remember the world but only in order to pray for it and for people but without letting ourselves be influenced by them, without breathing in their impure atmosphere. Jesus has imprisoned me here to unite Himself with me, nothing disturbing this gaze, this vision of this adorable Face of His which one day I shall possess in its fullness there in heaven. I often imagine that I am like a queen; for while others serve the King in the apostolate of action, I, like a queen, am by His side, listening to Him, contemplating Him, praying together with Him, and joining Him in His own suffering. He exchanged His own feelings with my own by divinizing them. He surrounds me with His divine light, beautifying my soul with His teachings.”

Letters of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Discalced Carmelite. Translated by Michael D. Grifin, O.C.D Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033. All Rights are Reserved to the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the Washington Province. Copyrighted 1994.

This is a Beautiful Time

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0500

“This is a beautiful time, this last age,
the age of the Holy Spirit.
This is the long-awaited day of His reign in our souls through grace.
He is crying to every soul that is walled:
Open to Me, My spouse, My sister.
And once inside, He is calling again:
Come to Me here in this secret place.
Oh, hear Him tonight crying all over the world
a last summons of love to a dying race.

Acres we are to be gathered for God: He would pour
out His measureless morning
upon divinized lands, bought by blood, to their
Purchaser given.
Oh, hear Him within you speaking this infinite love,
moving like some divine and audible leaven,
lifting the sky of the soul with expansions of light,
shaping new heights and new depths,
and, at your stir of assent,
spreading the mountains with flame, filling the hollows with Heaven.”

- Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit (Jessica Powers)

My Desires

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri)

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart

“My desires are infinite. . . I have often made them known: firstly, the salvation of souls, of all the souls now on earth and of those which will exist until the end of the world; then that divine love may reign in every soul; that those consecrated to God, especially priests, may reach the height of sanctity to which their vocation calls them; to obtain baptism for infants; that Purgatory may free its captives and may be closed for ever by souls being taught how to fly straight to heaven on leaving this world; that physical and bodily pain may be consoled, soothed, and to a great extent abolished. Yet these desires, like Saint Teresa’s become very grievous when I reflect that Jesus Himself could not obtain the salvation of all souls, nor make Himself loved by all, nor save them all from the tortures of Purgatory or from Limbo. I am troubled by the profound mystery of God s will being frustrated in His wishes by the contrary designs of His creatures, and I pray: “Father, since this is so, I entreat Thee to grant as far as possible the longings of the Heart of Jesus, for all His desires are mine,” and this brings me peace.

This was, for a long time, my only way of hearing Mass. When the sacred Host was up raised after the words of Consecration, I used to say: “Father, behold Thy beloved Son in “Whom Thou has set all Thy pleasure; hear Him!” This “Hear Him!” which expressed all my longings, meant: “Grant all He asks; realize all His desires!”

– Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart

TIME: 5:30

MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART CARMELITE NUN OF LISIEUX. 1882-1914 ”I am the lowly herald of the “LITTLE QUEEN. With an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916 Authorised translation from the French.

Garments of God

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:00:05 -0500

“God sits on a chair of darkness in my soul.
He is God alone, supreme in His majesty.
I sit at His feet, a child in the dark beside Him;
my joy is aware of His glance and my sorrow is tempted
to rest on the thought that His face is turned from me
He is clothed in the robes of His mercy, voluminous garments -
not velvet or silk and affable to the touch,
but fabric strong for a frantic hand to clutch.
and I hold to it fast with the fingers of my will.
Here is my cry of faith, my deep avowal
to the Divinity that I am dust.
Here is the loud profession of my trust.
I need not go abroad
to the hills of speech or the hinterlands of music
for a crier to walk in my soul where all is still.
I have this potent prayer through good or ill:
here in the dark I clutch the garments of God.”

– Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit

Back-ache

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:00:01 -0600

“I want to describe how the Master has made me find joy in the cross. After my profession, folio wing the advice that had been given me, I hastened to the “bleeding Flower of Calvary ” and plucked it continually with the cross for its stem. This cross was the daily, perpetual mortification of our austere life: austere indeed for one who refuses nothing to the good God and who is perfectly faithful to the Rule and duty. I no longer sought for imaginary crosses and dreamt of them no more, and as I received each day the grace to bear my daily cross, I carried it cheerfully, finding by experience that the first step is the hardest, and that the generous acceptance of a light cross brings with it a deep peace which gives strength for greater and harder mortifications.

Fasting tried me very much, I found it very hard to work in the morning on fast-days, as I was obliged to do for several years while I had sole charge of the refectory and swept and dusted it. The weight of the Breviary at Matins gave me a back-ache which was so increased by the weight of our mantle on feast days that as a rule, my prayer only consisted in offering to God my poor back, which occupied all my thoughts. When, later on, I was forbidden to perform the penance of the Rule in such matters as fasting, want of sleep, and other things, illness supplied their place. I was very glad, as, had it been left to me, I should have preferred, except in certain moments of temptation, to take no care of my health and to keep my Rule exactly.”

MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART CARMELITE NUN OF LISIEUX. 1882-1914

”I am the lowly herald of the “LITTLE QUEEN. With an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916 Authorised translation from the French.

Blessed Mary of the Angels - Acts of Virtue

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 31 Jan 2000 18:00:01 -0600

Interior Acts of Virtue and Affections…

“Ah, how great it your goodness my Jesus! Although I have so deeply offended You, You still wish to clothe Yourself with human flesh, and to take on Yourself all my sins, in order to obtain their pardon for me. I deserved to see You sitting in the tribunal of Divine Justice, as a judge angered against one capable of so many failings; and behold! I find You, instead, in the bosom of Mary, a Savior full of indulgence for my sins. O Lamb of God! How efficacious the sweetness of Your love should be in softening the hardness of my heart! I am more sorry for my sins than for any other evil. I detest them with all my strength, because they are opposed to Your infinite bounty. You deserve to be loved above any other good, O Divine Infant. I wish to be inflamed with a supreme love for You, that I may have a true sorrow for my sins. Deign to imprint on my heart such repentance that I may prefer to die rather than ever to offend You again.

Holy Spirit, to You I have recourse; with the help of Your grace I firmly resolve never again to offend my Savior.”

Blessed Mary of the Angels was born in Turin, Italy, in 1661, she died, after spending her whole life there, in 1717. In 1675 she entered the Discalced Carmelite Convent of St Christina, and several times filled the offices of Prioress and Novice Mistress. She underwent continual spiritual trials, but was constant in her ardent love of God. She was outstandingly faithful to prayer and particularly devoted to St Joseph, in whose honour a convent was founded through her good offices at Moncalieri.

Blesssed Mary of the Angels Discalced Carmelite (1661-1717) A Biography. Rev. G.O’Neill, S.J., M.A. R&T Washbourne, LTD. 1,2 & 4 Paternoster Row, London 1909

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Giddy Depths

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

"Our Teresa preferred love to all the other divine attributes; to her, love was seen in all the rest of God s perfections. I feel sure that she meant by this, that Love, if I may venture to say so, is more than a divine attribute: Love is God Himself, since Saint John said "God is love". Therefore, if God and Love are one, it is not difficult to prove that we can expect nothing from God but gentleness, affection, mercy, devotion, kindness, and compassion; we may feel sure that we have naught to fear from His severity or His justice unless we commit the sin against the Holy Ghost which cannot be forgiven, and that sin is to despise and reject Love. The faithful children of God should never harbour a dread of divine chastisement and judgment, which are only meant for those who are His enemies.

After all these beautiful thoughts, I am as weak and as miserable as possible; I lament about nothing and almost fall into despair about some trifle, which convinces me that the light comes from above and that if the Saviour abandoned me for an instant I should sink into vice and be lost eternally. When I feel on the edge of the abyss and dread lest I should become dizzy, I say the prayer of Blessed Margaret-Mary:

"O loving Heart! I put all my trust in Thee for I fear all from my weakness, but I hope all from Thy mercy! and after this act of confidence I am completely reassured."

MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART Carmelite Nun of Lisieux. 1882-1914 Book written from a circular letter sent to Carmelite convents on her death. Authorised translation from the French, with an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916.

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Giddy Depths

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Giddy Depths

“For some days, I have under gone a singular trial during which my will, calm and at peace, has witnessed a violent onslaught delivered against my soul by the demon of pride. It reminded me of the war between the good and bad angels: an accursed voice exclaimed within my heart I would rather possess nothing than possess all from God: rather would I be annihilated than receive beatitude and eternal glory as an alms- given out of compassion.

I clung by my will close to Him I loved, anxiously awaiting the end of the battle without feeling the blows, resisting without effort; indeed I even smiled at the furious attack, anticipating that it was the fore-runner of great graces, in which hope I was not mistaken. In a short time I found myself united to God in a way new to me and the words of our Lord to Saint Teresa when He raised her to the spiritual nuptials perpetually reocurred to me: “Show zeal for My honour like a true bride.” A zeal for souls and a longing to spend myself for my divine Bridegroom consumed my heart.

During prayer on the evening of the third day I entered the interior of my soul, and seemed to descend into the giddy depths of an abyss where I had the impression of being surrounded by limitless space. Then I felt the presence of the Blessed Trinity, realizing my own nothingness, which I understood better than ever before, and the knowledge was very sweet. The divine Immensity in which I was plunged and which filled me had the same sweetness. My joy at seeing my own nothingness equaled my indignation at it during those three days.

This grace gradually grew weaker, but lasted for a long while. For many months I never opened a book during prayer; it was enough for me to descent into the abyss. My soul resembled a tiny shell floating peaceful and solitary upon a shoreless ocean. What a joy it was! Now I often say to myself; “let me descend!” but the scene is changed: I can not longer find the deep abyss nor the infinite space around me – “The good God has come to the surface.”

TIME: 7:00

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart, Carmelite Nun of Lisiuex 1882-1914

“I am the lowly herald of the LITTLE QUEEN”

With an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B.

THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916.

Authorised translation from the French

Blessed Mary of the Angels - How we are to attract Jesus to our souls.

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Preparation for the Feast of Christmas
Pious Reflections and Affections I
How we are to attract Jesus to our souls.

“Purity is so pleasing to God that His Divine Son, having resolved to become man by the operation of the Holy Ghost, wished to be born of a Virgin Mother. We all know with what an abundance of graces and with what extraordinary purity God was pleased to adorn the body and soul of Mary, in order to make of her a dwelling worthy of the Word who was to become flesh in her chaste womb. Hence, if we wish to induce the Incarnate God to be born spiritually in our souls, the proper way to do this is to secure purity of conscience for ourselves by banishing from our hearts even the smallest faults and cultivating in them all the virtues. Therefore we should be careful, during these holy days, to mortify our senses by a perfect exterior modesty, in order to obtain interior recollection and also to induce the Divine Child to be bon in our hearts. For this purpose we must take care that our souls be not disturbed by any passion, since at the birth of Jesus peace was proclaimed. In two words, the Incarnate Word is born in the soul which cultivates piety and produces virtues.”

Blesssed Mary of the Angels Discalced Carmelite (1661-1717) A Biography. Rev. G.O’Neill, S.J., M.A. R&T Washbourne, LTD. 1,2 & 4 Paternoster Row, London 1909

Novena to St. John of the Crosss

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Day One

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised, and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint, from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your companion in glory. Amen.

First Day: Unwavering Faith
Prayer:

My glorious father St. John of the Cross; overflowing with love for Mary and for the cross of her divine Son by which you merited to become the protector of afflicted souls, obtain for me from Jesus and Mary, I beseech you, an unwavering faith and a love of the cross so deep and so valiant that no
possible misfortune will ever be able to separate me from the love of my God. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (makerequest).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 2:

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Second Day: Spirit of Penitence

Prayer:

Glorious St. John of the Cross, you preserved to death in unspotted
brilliancy the radiant whiteness of your baptismal innocence, while
nevertheless practicing the most cruel and persevering penance. In honor
and imitation of this crucifying love, I entreat you that I may share your
mortified and penitential life so that, even in this world, I may receive
the grace to atone for my many sins, purify my soul, and acquire merit, that
I may also enjoy heaven’s glory with you. Obtain for me also the special
grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the
glory of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 3:

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Third Day: Holy Enlightenment

Prayer:

O my beloved father St. John of the Cross, your continual prayer merited for
you the name of Ecstatic Doctor, favored with special graces in the guidance
and direction of souls. I humbly beg you to enlighten my soul and to give
me a relish for holy meditation that, detached from earthly things, I may
love God alone and desire heaven only. Obtain for me also the special grace
I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory
of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 4

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Fourth Day: Holy Patience

Prayer:

Great St. John of the Cross, model of patience and generosity, for the glory
of God and for the propagation of the holy reform of Carmel, you endured
grievous trials and undertook heavy labors, finding, as did St. Paul, joy in
opprobrium. Obtain from our Lord for me the grace of unalterable patience
in adversity that I may thereby glorify God, have cleansed my souls of every
stain, advance in the practice of solid virtue, and obtain at last the crown
promised to those who suffer for the love of God. Obtain for me also the
special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be
for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 5:

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Fifth Day: Protection from Temptation

Prayer:

Dear St. John of the Cross, you exercised dominion over the powers of hell,
often obliging them to relinquish the souls, as well as the bodies of their
victims. Have compassion on me; ask God to preserve me from the temptations
and deceits of these wicked spirits, not only throughout my life, but above
all at the hour of my death, that persevering to the end in the grace and
love of God, I may possess Him with you forever. Obtain for me also the
special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be
for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 6:

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Sixth Day: Purity of Soul and Body

Prayer:

Great St. John of the Cross, favored by our Lord and the glorious Virgin,
His mother, in reward for your angelic life and with the precious gift of
chastity, you converted many souls held captive by the most shameful
passions. Obtain for me some share in so priceless a gift that, pure and
chaste in soul and body, I may reach heaven where nothing stained may enter
and where choirs of virgins follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Obtain for me
also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena,
if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 7

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Seventh Day: Humility

Prayer:

Blessed father St. John of the Cross, in you was joined the most profound
humility to the most sublime knowledge of the ways of God. Obtain for me
real humility of heart, making me love humiliation and contempt that,
despairing worldly vanity, I may learn from you to esteem only God and
heavenly things. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your
intercession during this novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my
salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 8

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Eighth Day: Comfort in Affliction

Prayer:

St. John of the Cross, my glorious protector, in your lifetime you were the
father of the poor, the consoler of the afflicted and the assured refuge of
the suffering; you worked miracles of charity for all, miracles which you
repeat even now by means of your holy images and relics. Deign also to be
my consoler and my father; comfort me in my sorrows and aid me to see in
every cross a pledge of divine mercy that, through the cross, I may gain
heaven. Obtain for me, too, the special grace I ask through your
intercession during the novena, if it be for the glory of God and for my
salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 9

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus
crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,
and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so
burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments
and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which
your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain
from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to
bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure
means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,
from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so
that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your
companion in glory. Amen.

Ninth Day: Holy Abandonment

Prayer:

O my loving father St. John of the Cross, to imitate more perfectly our
Lord, you generously renounced every consolation, even the spiritual; prayed
to suffer and to be despised for God’s sake; and finally died suffering,
happy to be condemned by men. Obtain for me the grace of abandonment to the
Will of God that, placing all my joy and my hope in the passion of my
Savior, I may at last rest eternally with you in His glory. Obtain for me
also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena,
if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:21:31 -0600

Mother Isabel of the Sacred Heart - Chapter 41 Her life at Carmel.

“The light which has filled my soul since I entered the “Little way” has not come from books but from the Holy Ghost, although I have had neither ecstasies nor visions. My prayer time always passed either in dryness and in struggling against distractions, in trying to forget the pains in my stomach, or in keeping my mind at rest in the presence of God Whom I felt within my heart. I think that the latter was a form of prayer of quiet, an obscure contemplation in which, as with our saint, “the Master instructed me without the sound of words.” I felt with delight that He was beautifying my soul. I was like a flower endowed with consciousness and able to love and enjoy the sun which had made it bloom and given it colour.

Without seeing anything with the eyes either of the body or the soul I realised that God was present, I felt His gaze bent on me full of gentleness and affection, and that He smiled kindly upon me. I seemed plunged in God.

My imagination was submissive and did not act. I did not hear any noise that might be going on around me. My soul looked fixedly into the gaze invisibly bent on me and my heart repeated untiringly “My God, I love Thee!” While reiterating it with obscure but deep joy, I longed that the divine gaze, the spiritual Sun, should cause the virtues to flourish in my soul, and was conscious that my longing was granted and that this profound peace and simple act of love concealed an in comprehensible activity. Sometimes, remembering that our Mother, Saint Teresa, said that when we feel we are so near the King we should make our petitions to Him, I used to plead for souls; but as a rule I did not pause for that, being convinced that to repeat My God, I love Thee! pleased Him better and included all the rest.”

TIME 5:00

MOTHER ISABEL OF THE SACRED HEART
Carmelite Nun of Lisieux. 1882-1914
Book written from a circular letter sent to Carmelite convents on her death. Authorised translation from the French, with an introduction by Dom Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. THE KINGSCOTE PRESS, 3 DYER S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.G. 1916.

Blessed Françoise d’Amboise

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:52:59 -0600

From the Exhortations of Blessed Frances to her nuns

“Whatever the troubles and difficulties that weigh you down, bear them all
patiently and keep in mind that these are the things which constitute your
cross. Offer your help to the Lord and carry the cross with Him in gladness
of heart. There is always something to be endured, and if you refuse one
cross, be sure that you will meet with another, and maybe a heavier one. If
we trust in God and rely on His help, we shall overcome the allurements of
vice. We must never let our efforts flag nor our steps grow weary, but must
keep our hearts under steady discipline.

Consider the afflictions and great trials which the holy Fathers endured in
the desert. And yet the interior trials they suffered were far more intense
than the physical penances they inflicted on their own bodies. One who is
never tried acquires little virtue. Accept then whatever God wills to send,
for any suffering He permits is entirely for our good. Christ assures us in
the Gospel, “Who wishes to follow me must deny himself. He must be
forgetful of self; he must regard himself as nothing; he must despise
himself and desire to be despised by others.”

The attitude derives from Our Lord’s command that we are to take up his
cross and follow Him. We are to accept sufferings of mind and body for love
of Him, just as He bore His sufferings for love of us. It is true that the
Jews lifted the cross from our Savior’s shoulders, but this was out of
concern lest He die from blows and exhaustion before reaching the place
where He was to be crucified.
And when they laid the weight on Simon’s shoulders he submitted most
unwillingly, even though aware that he was not destined to die on the cross
he carried. Christ, by contrast, willingly and gladly carried His cross and
died upon it, breathing forth His soul at last into His Father’s hands. Let
us follow Him and imitate all He did.

You have various afflictions which constitute your cross. Bear them
willingly to the very end, when you will finally yield your soul to God.
Give Him praise and thanks for calling you to His service. Scorn no-one,
for it is God’s will that you love each one of your neighbors as you do
those of your own community. Strive to curb all unruly instincts within
you. To this end try one remedy today and another tomorrow, so that
gradually you will subdue your unruly impulses, and when the Lord sees your
good will and your perseverance, He will give you the support of His grace,
enabling you to sustain to the end the burdens of religious life. Through
His love nothing will be too difficult for you to bear.”

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila - day 1

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila
by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
( Pray especially beginning
on October 7 and ending on
October 15 , the Feast of St. Teresa.)

Day 1

O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Amen.

4:00 minutes

For the rest of the Novena to St. Teresa of Avila please follow the links below.

St. Teresa of the Andes - spouse of my soul…

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

“My Jesus, I love You. I am totally Yours. I give myself completely to Your divine will. Jesus, give me the cross, but give me the strength to carry it. It matter not whether You give me the abandonment of Calvary or the joys of Nazareth. I only want to see You contented. I doesn’t bother me to be unable to feel, to be insensible as a rock, because I know, my sweet Jesus, that You know I love you. Give me the cross. I want to suffer for You, but teach me to suffer by loving, with joy and with humility.

Lord, if it please You that the darkness of my soul becomes deeper, that I not see You, it will not bother me because I want to fulfill Your will. I want to spend my life suffering to make reparation for my sins and those of sinners and so priests will be sanctified. I do not want to be happy, but for You to be happy. I want to be like a soldier so that at every moment You can dispose of my will and preferences. I want to be courageous, strong and generous in serving You, Lord. You are the Spouse of my soul. ”

Vocal and Mental Prayer…St. Teresa of Avila

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

St. Teresa of Avila - The Way of Perfection Chapter 24

“Now then, let us speak again to those souls I mentioned that cannot recollect or tie their minds down in mental prayer or engage in reflection. As a matter of fact there are many persons seemingly terrified by the mere term “mental prayer” or “contemplation,” for as I have also said, not everyone walks by the same path.

Well, what I now want to counsel you about (I can even say teach you, because as a Mother, having the office of prioress, I am allowed to teach) is how you must prayer vocally, for it’s only right that you should understand what you’re saying. And because it can happen that those who are unable to think about God may also find long prayers tiring, I don’t want to concern myself with these. But I will speak of those prayers we are obliged as Christians to recite (such as the Our Father and the Hail Mary) so that people won’t be able to say of us that we speak and don’t understand what we’re speaking about – unless we think it is enough for us to follow the practice in which merely pronouncing the words is sufficient. What I would like us to do, daughters, is refuse to be satisfied with merely pronouncing the words. For when I say, “I believe,” it seems to me right that I should know and understand what I believe. And when I say, “Our Father,” it will be an act of love to understand who this Father of ours is and who the Master is who taught us this prayer.

Well, god never allows us to forget the Master who taught us this prayer, and with so much love and desire that it benefit us. He wants us to remember Him often when we say the prayer, even though because of our weakness we do not remember Him always.

Now with regard to vocal prayer, you already know that His Majesty teaches that it be recited in solitude. This is what He always did when He prayed, and not out of any need of His own but for our instruction. It has already been mentioned that one cannot speak simultaneously to God and to the world; this would amount to nothing more than reciting the prayer while listening to what is being said elsewhere or to letting the mind wander and making no effort to control it. There can be exceptions at times either to bad humors – especially if the person is melancholic – or because of faint feelings in the head so that all efforts become useless. Or it can happen that God will permit days of severe temptation in his servants for their greater good. And though in their affliction they are striving to be quiet, they cannot even be attentive to what they are saying, no matter how hard they try; nor will the intellect settle down in anything, but by the disordered way it goes about, it will seem to b in a frenzy.

Whoever experiences the affliction these distractions cause will see that they are not his fault; he should not grow anxious, which makes things worse, or tire himself trying to put order into something that a the time doesn’t have any, that is, his mind. He should just pray as best he can; or even not prayer, put like a sick person strive to bring some relief to his soul; let him occupy himself in other works of virtue. This advice now is for persons who are careful and who have understood that they must not speak simultaneously to both God and the world.

What we ourselves can do is to strive to be alone; and please God it will suffice, as I way, that we understand to whom we are speaking and the answer the Lord makes to our petitions. Do you think He is silent: Even though we do not hear Him, He wpeaks weel to the heart when we beseech Him from the heart.

And it is good for us to consider that He taught this prayer to each of us and that He is showing it to us; the teacher is never so far from his pupil that he has to shout, but he is very close. I want you to understand that it is good for you, if you are to recite the Our Father well, to remain at the side of the Master who taught this prayer to you.

You will say that doing so involves reflection and that you neither can nor want to pray any other way but vocally; for there are also impatient persons who like to avoid any suffering. Since such individuals do not have the habit, it is difficult for them to recollect their minds in the beginning; and so as to avoid a little fatigue, they say they neither can nor know how to do anything else that pray vocally.

You are right in saying that this vocal prayer is now in fact mental prayer. But I tell you that surely I don’t know how mental prayer can be separated from vocal prayer if the vocal prayer is to be recited well with an understanding of whom we are speaking to. It is even an obligation that we strive to pray with attention. Please God that with these remedies we shall recite the Our Father well and not end up in some other irrelevant thing. I have experienced this sometimes, and the best remedy I find is to strive to center the mind upon the one to whom the words are addressed. So, be patient and strive to make a habit out of something that is so necessary!”

The Way of Perfection, Chapter 36. The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila Volume Two. Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. ICS Publications Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C. 1980 ISBN 0-9600876-6-4 (v. 2)

Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - final night

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Sunday, July 20 - The Blessed Virign Mary, Gate of Heaven -
Rev. Timothy P. Elliot, Pastor St. Giana Parish, Lake St. Louis

It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of our wonderful novena of masses and prayers in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel! Certainly many graces were shown upon the faithful who not only attended the Novena with love and prayerful hearts but who also endured the 107 degree heat tonight! (though that temperature was only a rumor and not confirmed!)

Father Timothy Elliot spoke about the importance of understanding and discerning what things in life are good and what things are evil. He reminds us that the Devil is very clever to make things "appear" good to us, but if we examine them through the eyes of faith and love of Christ we will see differently. In his homily, Father speaks quite frankly on the subject of honoring morality and embracing a culture of life.

You can here his homily here below.

May the graces and strength bestowed on us through prayer in love of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and in honor of her most beautiful, humble and holy example to the world shine as a beacon of holy hope as she leads all her beloved children to her Son, our Lord and our Eternal Savior and King. Praise be Jesus Christ, Now and Forever!!!

Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel

O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.

O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.

Amen

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - 8th Night

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Saturday, July 19 - The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians
Rev. Noah A. Waldman, Newly Ordained, Associate Pastor, Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish in St. Charles

It was another beautiful St. Louis evening and as the sun set and Holy Mass began, a cool breeze gently comforted us all on the front lawns of the Carmel of St. Joseph here in St. Louis, Missouri. Newly ordained Priest, Fr. Noah Waldman spoke so very beautifully about Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, his beautiful understanding and love of Carmelite spirituality and about Our Lady Help of Christians.

Of particular beauty is Father's prompting to us to consider the holy life of Our Lady and her life with the young St. John after he was entrusted with the care of our Holy Mother from the dying Christ on the cross.

The "Filipino-American Friendship Choir" uplifted us with their beautiful singing throughout the evening. Thank you!

Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel

O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.

Amen

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - 7th Night

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Friday, July 18 - The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Hope
Rev. Edward G. Nemeth, Newly Ordained, Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Parish in Imperial

For the 7th Night of the Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Father Nemeth spoke to us about the Blessed Virgin Mary as our Mother of Divine Hope. His beautiful sermon was briefly muffled by the sound of a car alarm, but please persist in listening for it only last a minute or so!

The photograph of St. Michael shows the newly reclaimed statue which guards the front lawn of the Carmelite Monastery. After a storm damaged his sword, a restoration company came to assess the damage. The found that this statue was actually painted and that underneath the layers of paint lie the most beautiful and very old marble! Through a careful restoration St. Michael now again gloriously guards the Monastery and his guilded sword brightly reflects the sun!

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - sixth night

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The Carmelites best known for their martyrdoms during of the French Revolution are the Martyrs of Compiègne, who were guillotined in Paris in mid-July, 1794. The memorial of the beatified Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne is today, July 17 and we celebrated their memory during the Novena tonight. Newly ordained Priest in our Archdiocese, Fr. Michael Houser was the main celebrant and he spoke beautifully about Peace and the Martyrs.

“The sixteen Discalced Carmelite nuns were condemned to death by the revolutionary tribunal for their fidelity to religious life, for their “fanaticism” (especially for their admirable devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), and for their attachment to constituted authority. These were all considered crimes against the “State” which was adamant about removing all forms of clerical thought from their secular government and rule.” 1

The prioress of these Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Teresa of St. Augustine, offered themselves to the Lord as a holocaust “to placate the anger of God and so that divine peace, brought to earth by His beloved Son, would return to the Church and to the state.”

After their Monastery and lodgings were invaded again in June, their devotional objects were shattered and their tabernacle trampled underfoot by a Revolutionary. This soldier told them that their place of worship should be transformed into a dog kennel!

The Carmelite sisters were taken to the prison to await their trial. There they composed a canticle for their martyrdom, to be sung to the familiar tune of the people at the time. The original writing still exists. It was written in pencil and given to one of their fellow prisoners, a lay woman who survived.

Give over our hearts to joy, the day of glory has arrived,
Far from us all weakness, seeing the standard come;
We prepare for the victory, we all march to the true conquest,
Under the flag of the dying God we run, we all seek the glory;
Rekindle our ardor, our bodies are the Lord’s,
We climb, we climb the scaffold and give ourselves back to the Victor.

O happiness ever desired for Catholics of France, To follow the wondrous road
Already marked out so often by the martyrs toward their suffering,
After Jesus with the King, we show our faith to Christians,
We adore a God of justice; as the fervent priest, the constant faithful,
Seal, seal with all their blood faith in the dying God….

Holy Virgin, our model, August queen of martyrs, deign to strengthen our zeal
And purify our desires, protect France even yet, help; us mount to Heaven,
Make us feel even in these places, the effects of your power. Sustain your children,
Submissive, obedient, dying, dying with Jesus and in our King believing.

Read more on these Carmelites from the sources:

an article: The Mantle of Elijah: The Martyrs of Compiègne as Prophets of Modern Age by Terrye Newkirk, OCDS.

CARMELITE NUNS OF COMPIÈGNE (d. 1794) Blessed, martyrs (D) Valentine Macca

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - Night 5

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Wednesday, July 16 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Rev. John L. Suenram, OCD, Pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

Last evening’s beautiful mass on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was just beautiful. Fr. Suenram spoke to us of the special motherly relationship Our Lady has for her loving Carmelite children. She has clothed us with a special garment of grace and we implore her heavenly protection. Father spoke of the special relationship Our Lady played in the life of St. Therese of Lisieux and how we all are guided by Our Lady’s maternal care.

O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.

O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.

Amen

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - night 4

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Tuesday, July 15 - The Blessed Virgin Mary Pillar of Faith
Rev. John L. Suenram, OCD, Pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

This evening’s Holy Mass was again celebrated by Father John L. Suenram, OCD. Despite difficulties with his microphone halfway through the sermon, a fast thinking Father quickly picked up another microphone and kept on with his homily!

The choir tonight was composed of fellow Carmelites. The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Divine Heart of Jesus. Their mission is to serve the elderly at their St. Agnes Home for the elderly here in St. Louis. How wonderful it is to have them with us! Thank you Sisters!

Also, you may pray along with us the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary which were recited in chapel before mass.

Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel

O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.

Amen

Also, you are invited to pray the Rosary with us!

Our Lady of Mt.. Carmel Novena - Night 3

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Monday July 14 - Holy Mary Queen and Mother of Mercy

Rev. John L. Suenram, OCD, Pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

This evening’s Holy Mass was celebrated by Father John L. Suenram, OCD who came all the way from San Antonio, Texas and the National Shrine of the Little Flower! How wonderful it was to have a Carmelite Friar come and preach to us during this Novena and his special understanding of Carmelite Spirituality filled our hearts.

The youth choir from St. Marks parish was the special choir for this evening. Apparently they have just returned from a visit at the University of Stubenville in Ohio. Their passionate singing was so uplifting!

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - Night 2

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

This evening our Celebrant for the Holy Mass on the Second Night of our Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was Msgr. Richard Stitka who is the Pastor at Annuziata Church here in St. Louis and he also serves at the Chaplin to the Sisters here at the Carmelite Monastery. You can hear Father’s beautiful homily in testimony of Vocations.

Also available here as a podcast is a recording of the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary which was prayed in Chapel before the outdoor mass. The rosary was lead by a Seminarian fromKenrick-Glennon Seminary here in St. Louis and it is followed by prayers for Benediction of the Holy Eucharist and completed with a song entitled “Queen and Beauty of Mt. Carmel”. This is a special favorite song ritually sung here at the Novena each night.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena - Night 1

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Tonights theme: Holy Mary, the New Eve

This is the homily given by Bishop Robert Herman at the first night of the Carmel of St. Joseph’s 60th Annual Outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Dear Bishop Herman graciously came to present the liturgy to us as our Archbishop Raymond Burke has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to become the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome.

Bishop Herman is a powerful homilist and speaks so eloquently about the need for Contemplatives in our modern day society. As this mass is said outside, you will enjoy hearing the cicadas, frogs and other outdoor wild life along with the chime of the Monastery Bells.

We hope you will enjoy this homily from the first night of the Novena! Please come and join us if you can. The rosary starts at 7:30 and mass begins at 8 p.m. For more information please see our website.

Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel

O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.

Amen

Therese of Lisieux - prayer

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus. How great is the power of prayer, it could be called a Queen who has free access at every moment to the King and can always obtain what she asks.

 - Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, chapter 10 & 11

Teresa de los Andes – Letter 109 To Elisa Valdes Ossa

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Teresa de los Andes – Letter 109 To Elisa Valdes Ossa

J.M.J.T.

June 13, 1919

“Do you know which souls enjoy my Kindness most, Our Lord asked? The ones who rely on Me most. Trusting souls run off with My graces. I am all love; and the greatest pain they can give My Heart is to doubt My Kindness. My Heart not only sympathizes, but even rejoices to make up for failings as long as there is no malice involved. If you only knew the work I could do in a soul filled with miseries, provided it allowed me to work there. Love needs nothing. It seeks only that there be no resistance; and ordinarily, what I ask to make a soul holy is that she let Me act. A soul’s imperfections, when given no consent do not displease Me, but call forth My compassion. I love souls so much… A soul’s imperfections should serve as ladders to reach Me through humility, trust and love. I draw near to a soul that humbles itself and I come to its nothingness in order to unite it with Myself.

All these are words of the Sacred Heart. And so, consider your misery, your weaknesses and your infidelities. In a word, distrust yourself, but don’t remain there in your nothingness. Climb up to the Divine Heart, cast yourself upon Him, and His merciful love will strengthen you. When you fail, say in all simplicity to the Heart of Jesus: “Lord, don’t you remember that I can do nothing for myself? You did not sustain me. You, Lord, are at fault that I am so miserable, because you haven’t helped ;me.” In this way you’ll be strengthened; and He is delighted with that kind of trust and distrust. Remember that the Heart of Jesus is you spiritual cradle. There is you nest; there Jesus sings lullabies of peace and love to you. We must be apostles of that Heart’s mercy. We must dissolved the wall of coldness with which they keep Him isolated. On the altar, we must caress and console Him in His mystical agony. There reduced to nothingness, He lives for His creatures’ sake. Only the sanctuary lamp reveals His presence. What love! It is beyond understanding. I ask myself often why all of us don’t go crazy with love for our God. Through the centuries a few souls have stood out for their passion of love: Our Holy Mother Teresa, Magdalen of Pazzi, Blessed Margaret Mary and a few others. Among millions and millions of people, only these have had a great and generous heart. What a shame! How miserable we are: unable to love the only One who is true and good. On His Feast day let us ask of the Divine Heart this madness, that we may live united to Him, sing His mercies and shed tears for His loneliness. May we at least who know Him and who have been drawn to love Him because of His divine Word, Hi captivating Beauty, ,His infinite Goodness, may we at least be grateful to Him. Let us be faithful and loyal. Let’s ascend Calvary with Him. Let’s take from Him Hi cross, His crown of thorns, the fall and vinegar and let’s pierce our own hearts with Longinus’s spear. Let’s be crucified, let’s be hosts for love of Him. Let the Feast of the Sacred Heart begin together to deny ourselves in all things and in every way. I should have begun it from the time I entered this holy mansion, but I’m so miserable. Yet, I am consoled because Our Lord loves and helps me more and more. He sees that I want to love Him but that I still don’t have enough strength in my soul to possess the love as strong as death. Our Jesus is all Heart. And now he has captured mine. He keeps me imprisoned in the furnace of His love. I live in Him. What peace, what sweetness, what silence, what an ocean of beauty encircles that Divine Heart! How He fills me with His tenderness, despite my being so unfaithful to Him. When will that happy day dawn when death, having broken the chains of sin amid which we live, we can finally tell our God: “We will never again offend You, and no one, nothing can separate us from you!”"

Therese of Lisieux - virtue

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Therese of Lisieux - virtue

“The practice of virtue gradually became sweet and natural to me. At first my looks betrayed the effort, but, little by little, self-sacrifice seemed to come more easily and without hesitation. Our Lord has said: “To everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall abound.”

From the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, “Story of a Soul”.

Therese of Lisieux - Mountain of Love

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:31:52 -0500

Therese of Lisieux — Mountain of Love

“If weak and imperfect souls like mine felt what I feel, none would despair of reaching the summit of the Mountain of Love, since Jesus does not ask for great deeds, but only for gratitude and self-surrender.

This is all Our Lord claims from us. He has need of our love– He has no need of our works. The same God, Who declares that He has no need to tell us if He be hungry, did not disdain to beg a little water from the Samaritan woman. He was athirst, but when He said: “Give me to drink,” He, the Creator of the Universe, asked for the love of His creature. He thirsted for love.

And this thirst of Our Divine Lord was ever on the increase. Amongst the disciples of the world, He meets with nothing but indifference and ingratitude, and alas! among His own, how few hearts surrender themselves without reserve to the infinite tenderness of His Love.”

From the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, “Story of a Soul”.

Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit #7 Truth and Simplicity

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:41:35 -0500

Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit

"O Lord, may I come to you by the straight road of truth and simplicity! Grant me a right intention, that single-minded regard of the soul that desires only to please you and is not concerned about how others interpret its actions.
In my dealings with my neighbor, may I always follow the straight road of pure good-will, loving you in your creatures without seeking any natural satisfaction. Let my relationships be inspired by sincerity, sisterly charity and holy freedom.
In the vicissitudes and unexpected events of life, make me know how to walk straight toward wherever you call me without any lingering or disctractions. Teach me to follow the way of the love that does not know procrastination, and of the simplicity which knows no deviation, and of the trugh that knows no subterfuge.
This is the way that pleases you, O Jesus, for you wanted to be called "the straightest way," the way that leads to the Father, for you said; "No one comes to the Father but by me." It is the way by which the Holy Spirit guides us, for he "leads the just along the straight road." Therefore, O God, I beg you with all fervor and desire: "create a pure heart within me and renew your Spirit within me."

4 minutes

Suor Carmela dello Spirito Santo... Unpublished writings. Sister Carmela thoughts of the Holy Spirit, Discalced Carmelite Nun (Born 1903 in Turin-D. 1949) Quoted from Divine Intimacy, Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year By: Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D. Used with permission from the Carmelite Nuns of Pittsford, New York.

St. Teresa of the Andes - letter 36: To Mother Angelica Teresa

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:47:30 -0500

St. Teresa of the Andes - letter 36
To Mother Angelica Teresa
Santiago, September 7, 1918

"I keep myself closely united to Our Lord within the home of my soul. Whenever I go out on the street or to the theater or to take a walk, I tell Our Lord: "My Jesus, although perhaps no one here is thinking about You, but here is a heart that belongs completely to you. I adore You, I love You. Make me Yours always." In this way I keep myself recollected and removed from worldly things and every time we must go out, we must promise to remain united to Our Lord in the cells of our souls."

Time 3:00

Copyright 1994. Letters of St. Teresa of the Andes translated by Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033 USA

Teresa de los Andes - Letter 111 to her Aunt Juana Solar De Dominguez

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:40:11 -0500

Teresa de los Andes
111
Letter to her Aunt Juana Solar De Dominguez
June 23, 1919

"What shall I tell you of my heavenly life? Every day I thank God more for my vocation; which, the more I delve into it, the more beautiful it becomes to me. If I could let you experience the happiness felt when one has no other task in this life than loving and contemplating. When the soul is engulfed in the ocean of Divinity, it loses sight of the world's shores, of that world that is homeland of sorrow and evil! How happy I am living as a prisoner of the Divine Prisoner, consoling Him with my tears, helping Him save souls, praying and suffering! I've begun my eternity already. I have everything. The only thing I lack is to see God face to face.

Let us love Him greatly. He thirsts for our love, because the angels' love isn't enough for Him. And after giving us His Father and His Divinity, Jesus gave us His Mother. He suffered from Bethlehem to Calvary. Shouldn't we have a little bit of love for this Divine Beggar…? May everything we do be done for loves' sake, and let's live forever at the foot of the tabernacle, be it only in spirit, consoling Our Lord in His agony. I'll say more: live in the Heart of Jesus. There, united with Jesus prayer, love and praise offer your works, both perfect and imperfect, to the Most Blessed Trinity. May your soul, be a host of praise and a host of love, sacrificing itself perpetually for the glory of the most Holy Trinity to make known the infinite love and mercy of the God who is Love."

Copyright 1994. Letters of St. Teresa of the Andes translated by Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. Teresian Charism Press Holy Hill 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, WI 53033 USA

St. Therese of Lisieux

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:07:04 -0500

St. Therese of Lisieux - Story of a Soul

"With me prayer is an uplifting of the heart; a glance towards heaven; a cry of gratitude and love, uttered equally in sorrow and in joy. In a word, it is something noble, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites it to God. Sometimes when I am in such a state of spiritual dryness that not a single good thought occurs to me, I say very slowly the "Our Father" or the "Hail Mary," and these prayers suffice to take me out of myself, and wonderfully refresh me."

Time 2:30

Therese of Lisieux - Infinite Beauty

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:36:54 -0500

Therese of Lisieux - Infinite Beauty

“What will be our joy when we communicate eternally in the dwelling of the King of Heaven? It will be undimmed by the grief of parting, and will know no end. His House will be ours for all eternity, and there will be no need to covet fragments from the walls hallowed by the Divine Presence. He will not give us His earthly Home--He only shows it to us to make us love poverty and the hidden life. What He has in store for us is the Palace of His Glory, where we shall no longer see Him veiled under the form of a child or the appearance of bread, but as He is, in the brightness of His Infinite Beauty.”

Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of A Soul CHAPTER VI A PILGRIMAGE TO ROME

Carmela of the Holy Spirit -- Make this my life!

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:37:06 -0500

Carmela of the Holy Spirit -- Make this my life!

"O Holy Spirit, you will be the one who will inspire not only my prayer, but by actions as well, who will rule over my relations with my neighbor, and who will produce within me those wonderful fruits which are your gifts, just as all the virutes are your gifts, since we act in a human way, but in a divine way through you, O Holy Spirit, who are within us. "Those who are moved by the Spirit of God are children of God". This is the true life, the life of the children of God. Oh, make this my life!"

Suor Carmela dello Spirito Santo... Unpublished writings. Sister Carmela thoughts of the Holy Spirit, Discalced Carmelite Nun (Born 1903 in Turin-D. 1949) Quoted from Divine Intimacy, Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year By: Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D. Used with permission from the Carmelite Nuns of Pittsford, New York.

St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle Chapter 2 1-4

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle Chapter 2: 1-4

"I want to say that you should consider what it would mean to this so brilliantly shining and beautiful castle, this pearl from the Orient, this tree of life planted in the very waters of life – that is, in God – to fall into mortal sin; there's no darker darkness nor anything more obscure and black. You shouldn't want to know anything else than the fact that, although the very sun that gave the soul so much brilliance and beauty is still in the center, this soul is as though it were not there to share n these things. Yet, it is as capable of enjoying Hi Majesty as is crystal capable of reflecting the sun's brilliance. Nothing helps such a soul; and as a result all the good works it might do while in mortal sin are fruitless for the attainment of glory. Since these works do not proceed from that principle, which is God, who is the cause of our virtue being really virtue, and are separated from Him, they cannot be pleasing in His sight. Since, after all, the intention of anyone who commits a mortal sin is to please the devil, who is darkness itself, not God, the poor soul becomes darkness itself.

I know a person to whom our Lord wanted to show what a soul in moral sin was like. That person says that in her opinion if this were understood it would be impossible to sin, even though a soul would have to undergo the greatest trials imaginable in order to flee the occasions. So the Lord gave her a strong desire that all might understand this. May He give you, daughters, the desire to beseech Him earnestly for those who are in this state, who have become total darkness, and whose works have become darkness also. For just as all the streams that flow from a crystal-clear fount are also clear, the works of a soul in grace, because they proceed from this fount of life, in which the soul is planted like a tree, are most pleasing in the eyes of both God and man. There would be no freshness, no fruit, if it were not for this fount sustaining the tree, preventing I from drying up, and causing it to produce good fruit. Thus in the case of a soul that through its own fault withdraws from this fount and plants itself in a place where the water is black and foul-smelling, everything that flows from it is equally wretched and filth.

It should be kept in mind here that the fount, the shining sun that is in the center of the soul, does not lose its beauty and splendor; it s always present in the soul, and nothing can take away its loveliness. But if a black cloth is placed over a crystal that is in the sun, obviously the sun's brilliance will have not effect on the crystal even though the sun is shining on it.

O souls redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ! Understand and take pity on yourselves. How is it possible that in realizing these things you don't strive to remove the pitch from this crystal? See that if your life comes to an end you will never again enjoy this light. O Jesus, how sad a thing it is to see a soul separated from this light! May God in His mercy deliever us from so great an evil."

Time 6:30

The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume II Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, and Otilio Rodriguez, OCD ICS Publications

Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit

O Holy Spirit come to me, become my interior Master…Prompt me in everything, remind me of all that Jesus said, guide me take the direction of my whole being, help my weakness, provide for my insufficiency…

Teach me to appreciate every least inspiration of yours! It is more precious than the entire world – even if it were but a very small inspiration such as holding back a word or a glance – because it is a little "calling" an invitation to enter more deeply into divine intimacy; if I correspond to it faithfully, I grow in grace and love … Help me to avoid every slightest infidelity, every little hesitation to refuse nothing … then the light will go on growing, and love will become an abyss that cannot be sounded. But I know that in practice I shall often fall and often be lacking – O God, let it not be willingly! - But you, teach me that even in that case I must recover myself quickly and put myself at once under you influence with an act of love, without letting myself get troubled, or discouraged, since your Spirit is sweet: "Oh how sweet is your Spirit O Lord!

Time 4:00

Suor Carmela dello Spirito Santo... Unpublished writings. Sister Carmela thoughts of the Holy Spirit, Discalced Carmelite Nun (Born 1903 in Turin-D. 1949) Quoted from Divine Intimacy, Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year By: Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D. Used with permission from the Carmelite Nuns of Pittsford, New York.

Saint Therese of Lisieux - PRAYER TO OBTAIN HUMILITY

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Prayer to obtain humility

Written for a Novice

“And yet, dear Lord, Thou knowest my weakness. Each morning I
resolve to be humble, and in the evening I recognize that I have
often been guilty of pride. The sight of these faults tempts me to
discouragement; yet I know that discouragement is itself but a
form of pride. I wish, therefore, O my God, to build all my trust
upon Thee. As Thou canst do all things, deign to implant in my
soul this virtue which I desire, and to obtain it from Thy
Infinite Mercy, I will often say to Thee: "Jesus, Meek and Humble
of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine."

TIME: 2:30

St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul.

St. Therese of Liseiux - interior lights

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

St. Therese of Liseiux - interior lights

"I unconsciously received many interior lights on the best means of pleasing God, and practicing virtue. I have often observed that Our Lord will not give me any store of provisions, but nourishes me each moment with food that is ever new; I find it within me without knowing how it has come there. I simply believe that it is Jesus Himself hidden in my poor heart, who is secretly at work, inspiring me with what He wishes me to do as each occasion arises."

Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of A Soul CHAPTER VIII PROFESSION OF SOEUR THERESE

Time 2:00

Saint Teresa of Avila - the degrees of infused prayer Part 2

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Saint Teresa of Avila - Spiritual Testimonies #59
(written in Seville, 1576)
The degrees of infused prayer
Part 2 (13, 14, 15.16)

An impulse is what I call a desire that sometimes come upon the soul, and even very habitually, without any preceding prayer. But suddenly there comes to it a remembrance of its separation from God, or of some word it hears that refers to this separation. This remembrance is so powerful and has such force sometimes that in an instant the soul seems to be beside itself. It's as though you were suddenly given some unknown and very painful news, or like a great and sudden shock that takes away the mind's discursive power to console itself; the mind remains as if absorbed. So it is here, except that the pain serves such a purpose that the soul comes to know that the purpose is worth dying for.

The fact is that it seems everything the soul understands then adds to its pain, and that the Lord doesn't want it to profit in its entire being from anything else. Nor does its will appear to be alive, but it seems to be in so great a solitude and so forsaken by all that this abandonment cannot be described in writing. For the whole world and its affairs give it pain, an no created thing provides it with company, nor does it want any company but only the Creator; and it sees that having such company is impossible unless it dies. Since it must not kill itself, it so dies with the longing to die that there is true danger of death; an it finds itself at though hanging between heaven and earth. It doesn't know what to do with itself. And from time to time God gives it a knowledge of Himself in a strange and indescribable way so that it might see what it is missing. There is no knowledge on earth, at least of what I have received, equal to this divine knowledge. In the half hour this prayer lasts, there is sufficient time to leave the body so disjoined and the arms so straight that the hands can't even write; and the pains are most severe.

Nothing of this is felt until that impulse passes. The soul has enough to do in experiencing what is happening interiorly. Nor do I believe it would feel heavy bodily torments. Yet it is in possession of its senses, and it can speak an even see – but no walk because the forceful blow of love prostrates it. But unless God gives this impulse nothing is gained even were one to die for it. It leaves the greatest effect and improvement in the soul. Some learned men explain it one way, others another way; none of them condemns it. The soul understands clearly that this impulse is a great favor of the Lord. Were it very frequent one's life would no last long.

In the ordinary impulse there comes this extremely tender desire to serve God, along with tearful wishes to leave this exile. But since there is freedom for the soul to consider that it is the Lord's will that it go on living, it is consoled by this though and offers Him its own life, begging Him that it be fore no purpose other than His glory.

The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila Volume I. Spiritual Testimonies Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez O.C.D. ICS Publications Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C. 1980 ISBN 0-9600876-6-4 (v. 1)

The "O" Antiphons - for Advent starting at Vespers December 17

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:50:26 -0600

The "O" Antiphons

On the evening of December 17 the final phase of preparation for Christmas begins with the first of the great "O Antiphons" of Advent. These prayers are seven jewels of our liturgical song, one for each day until Christmas Eve. They seem to sum up all our Advent longing for the Savior, and each of them ends with a plea for the Messiah to come. As Christmas approaches the cry becomes more urgent.

These 7 short verses, the "O Antiphons" are intoned with special solemnity in monasteries during Vespers, before and after the Magnificat, Mary's prayer of praise and thanksgiving from the Gospel of Luke (2:42-55), which is sung every evening as the climax of this Hour of the Divine Office. The nuns at the Carmel of St. Joseph are using these antiphons as part of a Christmas Novena they are praying after the morning mass for the long awaited coming of the Savior!

Novena Prayer:

O Lord, stir up your might and come! Be our protector and savior. Rescue us from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins, and lead us to salvation. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the light of your coming on earth you who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, Amen.

Prayer to Obtain Favors:
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe O my God! to hear my prayer and grand my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother... Amen!

The O Antiphons -- for Advent starting at Vespers

O Wisdom - to be prayed December 17

O Wisdom. You came forth from the mouth of the Most High and reaching from beginning to end, You ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come and teach us the way of prudence!

O Adonai - to be prayed December 18

O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, You appeared to Moses in the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him Your Law. Come and with outstretched arm redeem us!

O Root of Jesse - to be prayed December 19

O Root of Jesse, You stand for an ensign of mankind; before You kings shall keep silence, and to You all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us and do not delay!

O Key of David - to be prayed December 20

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, You open and no man closes; You close and no man opens. Come and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death!

O Rising Dawn - to be prayed December 21

O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice; come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

O King - to be prayed December 22

O King of Nations and Desired of All, You are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom You fashioned out of clay!

O Emmanuel - to be prayed December 23

O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of nations and their Saviour; come and save us , O Lord our God!

Novena to St. John of the Cross - Day 1

admin@stl-ocds.org (Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, St. Louis, Missouri) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:26:15 -0600

Begins Dec. 5

Day One

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint, from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your companion in glory. Amen.

First Day: Unwavering Faith

Prayer:

My glorious father St. John of the Cross; overflowing with love for Mary and for the cross of her divine Son by which you merited to become the protector of afflicted souls, obtain for me from Jesus and Mary, I beseech you, an unwavering faith and a love of the cross so deep and so valiant that no

possible misfortune will ever be able to separate me from the love of my God. Obtain for me also the special grace I ask through your intercession during this novena if it be for the glory of God and for my salvation (makerequest).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 2:

Beginning Prayer to be said each day:

O glorious St. John of the Cross, through a pure desire of being like Jesus

crucified, you longed for nothing so eagerly as to suffer, to be despised,

and to be made little of by all; and your thirst after sufferings was so

burning that your noble heart rejoiced in the midst of the cruelest torments

and afflictions. Grant, I beseech you, O dear Saint, by the glory which

your many sufferings have gained for you, to intercede for me and obtain

from God for me a love of suffering, together with strength and grace to

bear with firmness of mind all the trials and adversities which are the sure

means to the happy attainment of all that awaits me in heaven. Dear Saint,

from your most happy place in glory, hear, I beseech you, my prayers, so

that after your example, full of love for the cross I may deserve to be your

companion in glory. Amen.

Second Day: Spirit of Penitence

Prayer:

Glorious St. John of the Cross, you preserved to death in unspotted

brilliancy the radiant whiteness of your baptismal innocence, while

nevertheless practicing the most cruel and persevering penance. In honor

and imitation of this crucifying love, I entreat you that I may share your

mortified and penitential life so that, even in this world, I may receive

the grace to atone for my many sins, purify my soul, and acquire merit, that

I may also enjoy heaven's glory with you. Obtain for me also the special

grace I ask through your intercession during this novena, if it be for the

glory of God and for my salvation (make request).

Three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

Day 3: