Here is Bishop Zavala with Sister Marie Vianney of St. Therese (left-Christina Johnson) and Sister Peter Therese of the Heart of God (right-Amanda Broussard),

We thought everyone would like to see this photo of Bishop Zavala with our sisters in initial formation as Carmelite Sisters. It was taken the day Sister Peter Louise of the Heart of God and Sister Marie Vianney of St. Therese began their novitiate.

Sister Lucia of the Holy Spirit, OCD, pronounced her perpetual profession of vows on Sunday, July 19, 2009, in the Motherhouse Chapel in Alhambra, California. Father Adam Gregory, OCD, was the main celebrant of the Mass of Profession. This photo shows Mother Regina Marie, OCD, Superior General, receiving the vows of Sister Lucia.

Join us in thanking God for the grace of Sister Lucia's vocation to the consecrated life as a Carmelite Sister of the Most Sacred Heart. More photos can be found on the RECENT EVENT section of our website.

On July 16, 2009, Miss Amanda Broussard became a novice. This photo shows Mother Regina Marie, OCD, Superior General, giving Amanda her new name of Sister Peter Louise of the Heart of God.

More photos can be found on RECENT EVENTS section of this website, including a photo with Bishop Gambino Zavala who presided at the Rite of Initiation into the Novitiate.

Congratulations, Sister Peter Louise of the Heart of God!

On July 16, 2009, Miss Christina Johnson received her new name as she became a novice. In this photo, Mother Regina Marie, OCD, Superior General is giving Christina her new name! Join us in thanking God for the grace of Sister Marie Vianney's vocation to the consecrated life.

Congratulations, Sister Marie Vianney of St. Therese!

Our postulants become novices today!

Rejoice with us! Today, July 16, 2009, the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, our two postulants receive their new names as they become novices.

We hope to have a slide show up under RECENT EVENTS on this website very soon!

Keep tuned in. And thank God with us for the great grace of a vocation to the consecrated life!

Sr. Timothy Marie, OCD

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Ninth Day - July 15

Prayer:The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel

Mother of our King,

Blossoming Vine,

Peerless and fair,

Splendor of Heaven,

To your children of Carmel,

Mother Divine,

Favors grant ever,

None like to you,

Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Prayer for Every Day
July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Eighth Day - July 14
Prayer:
The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel
Mother of our King,
Blossoming Vine,
Peerless and fair,
plendor of Heaven,
To your children of Carmel,
Mother Divine,
Favors grant ever,
None like to you,
Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Seventh Day - July 13

Prayer:

The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel

Mother of our King,

Blossoming Vine,

Peerless and fair,

plendor of Heaven,

To your children of Carmel,

Mother Divine,

Favors grant ever,

None like to you,

Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Prayer for Every Day
July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Sixth Day - July 12
Prayer: The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel
Mother of our King,
Blossoming Vine,
Peerless and fair,
Splendor of Heaven,
To your children of Carmel,
Mother Divine,Favors grant ever,
None like to you,
Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Prayer for Every Day
July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Fifth Day - July 11
Prayer: The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel
Mother of our King,
Blossoming Vine,
Peerless and fair,
Splendor of Heaven,
To your children of Carmel,
Mother Divine,
Favors grant ever,
None like to you,
Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Prayer for Every Day
July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Fourth Day - July 10

Prayer: The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel

Mother of our King,

Blossoming Vine,

Peerless and fair,

Splendor of Heaven,

To your children of Carmel,

Mother Divine,

Favors grant ever,

None like to you,

Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Third Day - July 9

Prayer: The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel
Mother of our King,
Blossoming Vine,
Peerless and fair,
Splendor of Heaven,
To your children of Carmel,
Mother Divine,
Favors grant ever,
None like to you.Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Prayer for Every Day
July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

Second Day - July 8
Prayer: The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.
Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel

Mother of our King,

Blossoming Vine,

Peerless and fair,

Splendor of Heaven,

To your children of Carmel,

Mother Divine,

Favors grant ever,

None like to you.Star of the Sea.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the suffering and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your Son, and that my heart is sealed with your holy Scapular. Hear my prayer and if it be for the glory of God, your honor and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena. Amen.

First Day - July 7

Prayer: The beauty of Carmel and the Glory of Lebanon are given to you in your Immaculate Conception, O Blessed Queen of Carmel! I also rise from the sea of this world, not like you all pure and Immaculate, but full of sin. Help me, look upon me with your eyes of mercy. Amen.

Here mention your petition: ___________________________________

Flower of Carmel
Mother of our King,
Blossoming Vine,
Peerless and fair,
Splendor of Heaven,
To your children of Carmel,
Mother Divine,
Favors grant ever,
None like to you.
Star of the Sea.

The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel had its beginnings in the late 12th Century. Among those who went on crusade to fight for control of the Holy Land, some laid down their arms and took up a life of prayer and penance. One such group of penitents came together near the Spring of Elijah at the foot of Mt. Carmel. They built themselves a common oratory, which they dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. While they shared some things in common, for the most part they lived as hermits, spending their days in solitude, silence, simple work, and prayer.

This early community grew and soon sought formal approval for itself. In 1209 it approached the local bishop, Albert Avogadro, Patriarch of Jerusalem. He composed for them a letter which briefly summed up their way of life. In it he also exhorted them to diligence in work and silence and to vigilance in prayer. This letter is known as the Rule of Carmel.

From these humble beginnings the Order continued to grow, making its way back to Europe where new communities were founded. Having become international in scope, it soon felt the need for not just local but papal approval. Pope Honorius III granted this approval in 1226, renewed by Pope Gregory IX in 1229.

As the Order prospered, it began to assimilate itself to a new movement in religious life, the Mendicant Movement, inaugurated by St. Francis of Assisi. This movement stressed small communities of friars (“brothers”), not large communities of monks. It founded religious houses in towns and cities in order to be nearer to the people and minister to their needs, rather than in remote, rural areas, where on went “to flee the world.” It enjoined its members especially to the work of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care in imitation of the of the itinerant Christ and his small band of Apostles.

Accordingly, the Rule of Carmel was revised to accommodate the Carmelite Order to this new style of religious life. These revisions received papal approval in 1257 by Pope Innocent IV. The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel is regarded, therefore, as one of the Mendicant Orders of the Church. Its roots, though, lay in the life of solitude, silence, penance, and prayer inaugurated by those first hermits living near the Spring of Elijah at the foot of Mt. Carmel. (taken from Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.)