Elijah the Prophet

Two great figures in the Bible have inspired Carmelites through their 800-year history. Elijah, the fiery prophet of Carmel, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, have helped the community see how to be contemplative and active; prayerful and prophetic; reflective and apostolic. Elijah and Mary are human models. Just as many of us wonder about the best way to live our lives, they felt paralyzing fear, faced difficult questions, and were hurt deeply because of choices they made.

In the Old Testament, Elijah is a solitary figure found on Mount Carmel, where the Carmelite hermits first settled, Elijah is best known by his challenge to choose one God for Israel -- Yahweh or Baal.

According to the First Book of Kings, chapter 18, Elijah's sacrifice was consumed by fire, which proved to the people that Yahweh was the true God. Undertaking God's work, Elijah started a journey through the desert, but he lost his focus and commitment to the project. Sitting under a bush, he wished to die. But God prodded him to continue his journey to Mount Horeb. There Elijah became aware of God -- not with the usual eye-catching signs of fire and earthquake, but rather as a gentle breeze. Elijah was sent back to his people refreshed.

From Elijah, Carmelites learn to become aware of the presence of God in the unexpected and to be silent enough to hear God's whisper. "God lives in whose presence I stand", says Elijah, and the Carmelites try to follow. (taken from www.carmelites.net)

Mount Carmel is in the Holy Land

Hebrew: הר הכרמל‎

Karem El/Har Ha'Karmel

Name origin: Literally, in Hebrew: God's vineyard/garden

Arabic: الكرمل/جبل مار إلياس‎

Kurmul/Jabal Mar ElyasMountain Range

Name origin: Mount St Elijah in Arabic

Photo shows Mt. Carmel at sunset. From now until the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on July 16th, we will be sharing some of the most interesting history and spirituality of the "Carmelites on Mt. Carmel." Please post your questions!

A little introduction to Mt. Carmel.

The phrase Mount Carmel has been used in three distinct ways:

• To refer to the 39 km-long (24-mile long) mountain range, stretching as far in the southeast as Jenin.
  
• To refer to the northwestern 19 km (12 miles) of the mountain range.
  
• To refer to the headland at the northwestern end of the range.
  
  The Carmel range is approximately 6.5 to 8 km (4 to 5 miles) wide, sloping gradually towards the southwest, but forming a steep ridge on the northeastern face, 525.4 m (1,742 ft) high.

The Jezreel Valley lies to the immediate northeast. The range forms a natural barrier in the landscape, just as the Jezreel Valley forms a natural passageway, and consequently the mountain range and the valley has had a large impact on migration and invasions through the Levant over time.

The mountain formation is an admixture of limestone and flint, containing many caves, and covered in several volcanic rocks

The sloped side of the mountain is covered with luxuriant vegetation, including oak, pine, olive, and laurel trees.

Next posting will talk about Mt. Carmel in the Old Testament.

It will soon be the wonderful feastday of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on July 16th. I would like to share with everyone about her. Keep posted.

Sacred Heart Novena Day 9

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
5. I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements
10. I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.
12.I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART --DAY 9

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly, I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request.)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of....... (here name your request)

Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of..... (here name your request)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us. -- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Promise #12 of the Sacred Heart/Novena Day 8

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
5. I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements
10. I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.
12.I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART --DAY 8

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly, I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request.)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of....... (here name your request)

Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of..... (here name your request)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us. -- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Promise #11 of the Sacred Heart/Novena Day 7

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
5. I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements
10. I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART --DAY 7

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly, I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request.)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of....... (here name your request)

Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of..... (here name your request)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Promise #10 of the Sacred Heart/Novena Day 6

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
5. I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements
10. I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART --DAY 6

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly, I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request.)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of....... (here name your request)

Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of..... (here name your request)

Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque