Carmelite Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:33:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:25:00 +0000

On this Feast of All Saints, we wish all of you God's choicest blessings and as our foundress, Mother Luista, used to say, "Be what you are supposed to be......a saint!"

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:18:00 +0000

Happy and blessed Feast of St. Therese to all of you!

Know that we keep you and your intentions in our prayers. Our Santa Teresita website will have a "new look" coming very, very soon. Santa Teresita is celebrating its 80th year .... And the vision continues . . . ..

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:14:00 +0000

Novena to St. Therese from September 23 through October 1, 2009 .

Join us in praying a nine-day Novena before her October 1st Feastday!

You will find a short biography of St. Therese at the conclusion of the novena. Pope Pius X called St. Therese the greatest saint of modern time.

Daily Prayer:

O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were -- to that Queen of Heaven “who smiled on you at the dawn of life” Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.
O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen.

DAY ONE
O Therese of the Child Jesus, well beloved and full of charity, in union with you, I reverently adore the majesty of God, and since I rejoice with exceeding joy in the singular gifts of grace bestowed upon you during your life, and your gifts of glory after death, I give Him deepest thanks for them; I beseech you with all my heart’s devotion to be pleased to obtain for me (...mention request here). But if what I ask of you so earnestly does not tend to the glory of God and the greater good of my soul, do you, I pray, obtain for me that which is more profitable to both these ends. Amen.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY TWO
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, who did will that Blessed Therese, being watered by the heavenly dew of your guiding grace, should bloom in Carmel with the beauty of virginity and patience in suffering, grant that I your servant may go forward in the order of her sweetness an may be found worthy to become a devoted and loyal follower of Christ. (Mention request here.)St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY THREE
O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favours our Lord so liberally bestowed on you. I humility and confidence I ask you to help me, for I know God has given you love and pity as well as power. Tell Him, now, I beseech you, of the favour I seek in this novena...Mention you requests here... Your request will crown my petition with success and bring joy to my heart. Remember your promise to do good here on earth. “I shall spend my heaven doing good on the Earth After death I shall let fall a shower of roses.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY FOUR
O Little Flower of Jesus, who at an early age had your heart set on Carmel and in your brief earthly life did become the mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love and of whole hearted surrender to Almighty God, turn your eyes of mercy upon me who trusts in you. Obtain for me the favour I seek in this novena..Mention your requests here...and the grace to keep my heart and mind pure and clean. O dear saint, grant me to feel in every need the power of your intercession; help to comfort me in all the bitterness of this life and especially at its end, that I may be worth to share eternal happiness with you in heaven. Amen.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY FIVE
O Little Flower of Carmel, Almighty God endowed you, consumed by love for him, with wondrous spiritual strength to follow the way of perfection during the days of your short life. Sickness touched you early but you remained firm in faith and prayer was your life. O pray for me that I may benefit by your intercession and be granted the favour I ask in this novena...Mention your requests here. . .
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY SIX
O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress, that I kneel at your feet with perfect confidence and beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessity and obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena...Mention your requests here. Vouchsafe to recommend my request to Mary, the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of Jesus, her divine Son.. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY SEVEN
Therese of the Child Jesus, most loving Saint, in union with you I adore the divine Majesty. My heart is filled with joy at the remembrance of the marvellous favours with which God blessed your life on earth and of the great glory that came to you after death. In union with you, I praise God, and offer him my humble tribute of thanksgiving. I implore you to obtain for me, through your powerful intercession, the greatest of all blessings -- that of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beg of you to secure for me the special favour I seek in this novena...Mention your requests here.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY EIGHT
O glorious St. Therese, who, burning with the desire of increasing the glory of God, invariably attended to the sanctification of your soul by the constant practice of prayer and charity so that, becoming in the Church a model of holiness, you are now in Heaven the protector of all those who have recourse to you in faith, look down upon me who invokes your powerful patronage and join your petition to mine that I be granted the favour I seek in this novena...Mention your requests here...
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

DAY NINE
O St. Therese, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of our Crucified Lord, you who on earth did burn with a love so intense toward your God and my God, and now glow with a bright and purer flame in paradise, obtain for me, I beseech you, a spark of that same holy fire which shall help me to put things of the world in their proper place and live my life always conscious of the presence of God. As I conclude my novena I also beg of you to secure for me the special favour I seek at this time...Mention your reqeust here . .
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us,

Short Biography:

THÉRÈSE MARTIN was born at Alençon, France on 2 January 1873. Two days later, she was baptized Marie Frances Thérèse at Notre Dame Church. Her parents were Louis Martin and Zélie Guérin. After the death of her mother on 28 August 1877, Thérèse and her family moved to Lisieux.
Towards the end of 1879, she went to confession for the first time. On the Feast of Pentecost 1883, she received the singular grace of being healed from a serious illness through the intercession of Our Lady of Victories. Taught by the Benedictine Nuns of Lisieux and after an intense immediate preparation culminating in a vivid experience of intimate union with Christ, she received First Holy Communion on 8 May 1884. Some weeks later, on 14 June of the same year, she received the Sacrament of Confirmation, fully aware of accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit as a personal participation in the grace of Pentecost.
She wished to embrace the contemplative life, as her sisters Pauline and Marie had done in the Carmel of Lisieux, but was prevented from doing so by her young age. On a visit to Italy, after having visited the House of Loreto and the holy places of the Eternal City, during an audience granted by Pope Leo XIII to the pilgrims from Lisieux on 20 November 1887, she asked the Holy Father with childlike audacity to be able to enter the Carmel at the age of fifteen.
On 9 April 1888 she entered the Carmel of Lisieux. She received the habit on 10 January of the following year, and made her religious profession on 8 September 1890 on the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In Carmel she embraced the way of perfection outlined by the Foundress, Saint Teresa of Jesus, fulfilling with genuine fervour and fidelity the various community responsibilities entrusted to her. Her faith was tested by the sickness of her beloved father, Louis Martin, who died on 29 July 1894. Thérèse nevertheless grew in sanctity, enlightened by the Word of God and inspired by the Gospel to place love at the centre of everything. In her autobiographical manuscripts she left us not only her recollections of childhood and adolescence but also a portrait of her soul, the description of her most intimate experiences. She discovered the little way of spiritual childhood and taught it to the novices entrusted to her care. She considered it a special gift to receive the charge of accompanying two "missionary brothers" with prayer and sacrifice. Seized by the love of Christ, her only Spouse, she penetrated ever more deeply into the mystery of the Church and became increasingly aware of her apostolic and missionary vocation to draw everyone in her path.
On 9 June 1895, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, she offered herself as a sacrificial victim to the merciful Love of God. At this time, she wrote her first autobiographical manuscript, which she presented to Mother Agnes for her birthday on 21 January 1896.
Several months later, on 3 April, in the night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday, she suffered a haemoptysis, the first sign of the illness which would lead to her death; she welcomed this event as a mysterious visitation of the Divine Spouse. From this point forward, she entered a trial of faith which would last until her death; she gives overwhelming testimony to this in her writings. In September, she completed Manuscript B; this text gives striking evidence of the spiritual maturity which she had attained, particularly the discovery of her vocation in the heart of the Church.
While her health declined and the time of trial continued, she began work in the month of June on Manuscript C, dedicated to Mother Marie de Gonzague. New graces led her to higher perfection and she discovered fresh insights for the diffusion of her message in the Church, for the benefit of souls who would follow her way. She was transferred to the infirmary on 8 July. Her sisters and other religious women collected her sayings. Meanwhile her sufferings and trials intensified. She accepted them with patience up to the moment of her death in the afternoon of 30 September 1897. "I am not dying, I am entering life", she wrote to her missionary spiritual brother, Father M. Bellier. Her final words, "My God..., I love you!", seal a life which was extinguished on earth at the age of twenty-four; thus began, as was her desire, a new phase of apostolic presence on behalf of souls in the Communion of Saints, in order to shower a rain of roses upon the world.
She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on 17 May 1925. The same Pope proclaimed her Universal Patron of the Missions, alongside Saint Francis Xavier, on 14 December 1927.
Her teaching and example of holiness has been received with great enthusiasm by all sectors of the faithful during this century, as well as by people outside the Catholic Church and outside Christianity.
On the occasion of the centenary of her death, many Episcopal Conferences have asked the Pope to declare her a Doctor of the Church, in view of the soundness of her spiritual wisdom inspired by the Gospel, the originality of her theological intuitions filled with sublime teaching, and the universal acceptance of her spiritual message, which has been welcomed throughout the world and spread by the translation of her works into over fifty languages.
Mindful of these requests, His Holiness Pope John Paul II asked the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which has competence in this area, in consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with regard to her exalted teaching, to study the suitability of proclaiming her a Doctor of the Church.
On 24 August, at the close of the Eucharistic Celebration at the Twelfth World Youth Day in Paris, in the presence of hundreds of bishops and before an immense crowd of young people from the whole world, Pope John Paul II announced his intention to proclaim Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face a Doctor of the Universal Church on World Mission Sunday, 19 October 1997.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:58:00 +0000

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),

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:50:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:07:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:01:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:58:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:04:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:53:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:20:00 +0000

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

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:14:00 +0000

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:58:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:45:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:32:00 +0000

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

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:47:00 +0000

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

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:04:00 +0000

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Prayer for Every Day

July 7 - 15

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:56:00 +0000

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.)

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:31:00 +0000

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)

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:55:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:19:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:12:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Carmelite Sisters) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:40:00 +0000

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