For greater things you were born
“The soul of each Carmelite raises herself to Christ, who is her heaven,
while her shadow falls in charity upon earth doing good to all people.”
– Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa
The Contemplative
Spirit of Carmel
with Apostolic Works
For greater things you were born
“The soul of each Carmelite raises herself to Christ, who is her heaven,
while her shadow falls in charity upon earth doing good to all people.”
– Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa
Our Sisters are located across the United States!
The Carmelite Sisters are currently promoting a deeper spiritual life among God’s people through healthcare, education and retreats in 12 sites from California to Florida.
BLOGS
Need a Savior
by Sister Meredith, O.C.D. About ten years ago during Advent, I heard this hymn for the first time, “Rorate Caeli”, and although I had no clue about its meaning, something stirred within me. I felt all my emotions move with the somber, yet hopeful chant as the notes...
Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Sister Laetitia Therese, O.C.D. It was December 12. I had recently become absolutely convinced that Our Lord was calling me to religious life, but as I drove to school that morning, I prayed about my family. What was going to happen to them? Didn’t they need me...
My Heaven is You, My God and You are in my Soul
By Sister Meredith, O.C.D. “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.” Before I came to faith in Jesus Christ, it seemed on the surface, I had it all together. I had a promising...
Be the Light
BE THE LIGHT that shines out brightly bringing and reflecting God's love to others. How needed it is in our world today. Lord, Jesus, we love You, we trust in You, be our Light
The Real Stuff of Holiness
The Real “Stuff” of Holinessby Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. In my book, time is an elusive thing. So is the memory. Both are hard to tangibly grasp. Both can seem restrictive. Neither is guaranteed. Both also offer a boatload of opportunity. Time and memory are two...
A Sign of Contradiction
by Sister Isabelle, O.C.D. Lift high the Cross!!! There we can see what it looks like to love even unto death. There we can see what God is to the core – PURE LOVE. As we watch the firefighters work day and night to save our lives, we can see His love incarnate once...
Back to School: Why We Do What We Do
By Sister Mary Louise, O.C.D. Back to school. Usually that phrase brings to mind a set of familiar routines and predictable procedures. For much of America and even the world, that is not the case this year. Whether you are heading back to in-person or distance...
First Disciple
By: Sister Mary Colombiere The devotion of the Brown Scapular originates in the history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel when Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock in the 1200s presenting to him the scapular and promised: "This is a privilege for you and your brethren:...
The Gift of Our Mothers
As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, our sisters share their remembrances of what their own mother’s taught them. We’d like to share their blessings with you.
Will You Let Her Immaculate Heart Triumph this Mother’s Day?
by: Sister Isabelle, O.C.D. On May 1st, about one week before Mother’s Day, our Archbishop Jose Gomez re-consecrated our country to Mary. With deep filial love he called to mind her promise at Fatima, that in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph. There she also...
Stand Your Ground
by: Sister Isabelle, O.C.D. Has it crossed your mind that what we are experiencing these days is similar to what it was like to live during a World War? The “greatest” generation of those who lived through the Second World War has much to speak to us of the unity,...
Sense of Humor
What Kind of Rice Is That?!By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. I signed up to make creamy chicken soup with wild rice for our sisters’ Easter Sunday lunch. To show how clueless I am in the kitchen, I figured the rice comes in a box and the chicken comes already cooked...
Plunge into the Merciful Heart of God
By Sister Isabelle, OCD Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in YOU! These are the last words that our religious family says together each night as we kneel before Jesus in the Tabernacle. Kneeling with Mary at the foot of the Cross, with our arms outstretched...
Gift of Priesthood
Praying for priests is central to our vocation as Carmelites. On Holy Thursday, the day we commemorate the Institution of the Eucharist and of the Priesthood, we hold our priests in prayer in a special way. Praying with the words of St. Therese: "This is the vocation...
The Joy that Nothing Can Take Away
By Sr. Isabelle “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:20- 22) Jesus is calling us to a deep level of courage as we walk with Him this...
Have you heard the Call?
A vocation to the consecrated life is a specific call from God to a specific person. It is real. It is compelling. It is an invitation. The same invitation given to the apostles – “Come, follow Me.”
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If you live near or in Alhambra and are interested in volunteering at our retreat center, click here!
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