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
His Absence Makes My Heart Grow Fonder
Yesterday I was on the phone with one of our dear friends who is wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. She is experiencing great loss at being unable to even make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament during these days of quarantine. After we spoke, my...
Behold Your Handmaid
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.” These words hold within them a depth of mystery one can hardly fathom. We all know that any celebration of Mary is first and foremost a celebration of her Son, Jesus. The feast of the Annunciation is...
Brave Enough to Praise
Have you ever been in awe of how St. Paul and the early Christians could be singing songs of praise from prison (Acts 16:5)? Or how Daniel, after hearing that he was not to worship His God on pain of death, went to his home and facing Jerusalem, “…prayed, giving...
Bless Our Priests, O Lord!
ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIAWe have had the blessing of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being celebrated at our Motherhouse. What a gift! What an interesting experience this has been. During one of our homilies by Father Donald Kinney, O.C.D., it was noted that this time may...
Practical Tips on Silence
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. “Silence is golden, golden…” The lyrics of the popular song by the Four Seasons may not have had silence or solitude in mind but the small phase is still true. Silence is not just an absence of words, it is a preparation to open one’s...
The Quiet Man
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. Many of us are familiar with the classic film, The Quiet Man. John Wayne’s character evoked an inner strength and steady sureness that quickly appealed to the audience. These same qualities are seen in the greatest of quiet souls,...
Rejoice in Hope
By Sister Isabelle, O.C.D. This morning I found myself turning to St. Paul for consolation during these very challenging times. In his letter to the Romans, Paul encourages us saying: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” He even goes so...
Lessons from a Mother’s Heart
By Sr. Jeannine Marie This Lent we are all facing more than the normal challenges of the season. Our everyday routine and the world as a whole seems to have come to a sudden stop. Naturally, this results in feelings of fear, confusion, and helplessness. Mother Luisita...
All Things Green
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. Every year on March 17 the world suddenly becomes – you’re right – Irish! The feast of Saint Patrick, the Parton Saint of Ireland, crosses all religious, ethnic and even age groups to join people together in celebration. In a real...
Sounding Solitude and Silent Music
By: Sister Mary Colombiere, O.C.D. My Beloved is the mountains …The tranquil nightAt the approaches of the dawn,The silent music,The murmuring solitude,The supper which revives, and enkindles love. (Spiritual Canticle – Stanza XIV; XV) The poetry of...
Hidden Virtues Hidden Saints
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. This year the first day of spring falls on March 19, 2020. St. Joseph’s Day! Spring brings a certain stillness to the earth. A waiting. A time of hushed expectancy. Seeds are planted and their growth is a quiet one – a hidden growth...
Practical Tips for Spiritual Motherhood
By: Sister Jeannine Marie "Every woman in the world was made to be a mother either physically or spiritually" (Fulton Sheen). We often do not think of this gift – yes, gift of spiritual motherhood. Here are some practical tips for women to live out their spiritual...
Does God Smile?
By: Sister Mary Colombiere, O.C.D. Does God smile? Have you ever seen a little child look up to its mother and smile? Such a scene captures the relationship between mother and child – the expression of motherhood. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once remarked, “Every time...
What’s In A Name?
By: Sister Mary Scholastica A handful of times in my life, I KNEW with deep conviction that certain things would come to pass. I can’t explain it. I just knew. My vocation to the Carmelite Sisters was one of these “Aha!” God-moments. I knew in an instant I had a...
A Reflection on Spiritual Motherhood
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. “Spiritual motherhood, what in the world is that?” Spiritual motherhood is a topic that more people are becoming aware of within the Catholic Church. Around the United States, retreats and conferences include this subject and new...
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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