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
Carmelite Musings | Resistance
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. No one likes to be told what to do, when to do it, or how to do it. When this happens, something inside of us puts up resistance, it’s almost like an instinctive reflex. Even little ones seem to thrive on saying the word “no”! ...
Carmelite Musings | St. Therese
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. I did not like St. Therese. At all. First off, prior to the convent, I was a bit clueless about saints. Saints did not feel like real people. Their holy cards always looked a bit too “fake”. I also didn’t know saints belonged to...
Carmelite Musings | Special People
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. What makes someone special? Do you see yourself as a special person? Would you look at your parents and siblings and think they are special people? Your neighbors down the street? Your friends from school, your co-workers? The...
Carmelite Musings | Hiking Life: Attaining the Summit
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. While walking along the mountain paths of Wrightwood, thoughts of life and how I approach life kept filtering through my mind. The altitude, the creaking knees, the inclines (and I mean the INCLINES!), the pace, the fresh air, my...
Carmelite Musings | Self-Knowledge
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. It is likely that many of us think we know ourselves pretty well. And why not? We live in our own skins, don’t we? We know our likes and dislikes, we value our own thoughts, opinions and insights, we like the way we see the world and...
Mother Luisita’s Letter: To Read During Times of Discouragement and Depression
My beloved child, So, you are feeling depressed? And sad? I understand that you are feeling as if your soul is troubled. Is it true? I’d like this letter to be as close as possible to a real face-to-face visit with you. Ay, my child, I can’t agree with you! You can’t...
Carmelite Musings | Glass Half Empty or Half Full?
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. This reflection comes from someone who is not naturally a super optimistic person. Meaning, I tend to see the glass half empty – so when it becomes even emptier, I’m not disappointed. On the other hand, when the glass gets full, my...
Carmelite Musings | Grace-Filled Maturity
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. Age. One of my favorite topics. I’m actually teased endlessly in the convent because of this. Let me tell you why. As I grow older (whatever that means) I find it fascinating. People never look their age to me and if I were to...
Carmelite Musings | Proper Perspective
By Sister Mary Scholastica, O.C.D. This probably happens to everyone, especially as one grows older, but I find myself regularly marveling at how quickly time passes. And somehow in living each day however we choose to live it, it’s forming us, shaping us into the...
A Reflection on Mary, Mother of the Church
By: Sister Laetitia Therese, O.C.D. The Monday after Pentecost, the Church celebrates the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. Instituted by Pope Francis in 2019, it seems very fitting for our times. The state of affairs in our world, our country, our Church, our...
Near to Us
By: Sister Anita Mary, O.C.D. Some years ago, we had the privilege of having Bishop Robert Barron at our Motherhouse on the vigil of the Feast of the Assumption. At Mass, he began his homily by describing how Christians tend to think of the feasts of the Assumption...
Earth Looks down to Heaven
by Sister Jeannine Marie “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me.” Psalm 116 Spiritual Motherhood. Where did it all begin? It was a cold winter night. Joseph had built a small fire with what little wood he could find scattered around...
Joseph’s Consolation
By Sister Isabelle, O.C.D. The rhythmic sound of a man steadily hammering away at work always brings to mind our dear St. Joseph. What a man! St. Joseph was a strong workman as so many good men who labor to provide the basics for their families today. Like them,...
The Healing of Heaven
by Sr Teresa Christine, O.C.D. “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” –C.S. Lewis Our world is in pain. Over the past year, we’ve watched illness, social isolation, economic...
In Thanksgiving
by Fr. Donald Kinney, O.C.D. This February 2, 2021 is a milestone anniversary for the Carmelite Sisters. One hundred years ago in Mexico, Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament and her Sisters became officially affiliated with the Order of Discalced...
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.”
TAKE PART IN OUR MISSION!
DONATE
Donate and Join our Mission:
KEEP IN TOUCH
VOLUNTEER
If you live near or in Alhambra and are interested in volunteering at our retreat center, click here!
If you are interested in volunteering at one of our healthcare facilities and live in or near Duarte, click here! If you live in or near Culver City, click here!