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
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...
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week | Home Away from Home
By: Sister Mary Louise, OCD I recently received a note from a student that made me chuckle and then brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. A certain 14-year-old wrote, "Sister, I know I can be immature and disruptive in class. If it seems like I am acting as if I were...
Walking with Grace into 2021
We are counting our blessings as we close out 2020. Regardless of circumstances, we always have the choice to count our blessings, to be grateful. It’s a life perspective that starts to then shift how we receive and give to others. This is not about positive...
Blessings
We invite you to listen to our rendition of Blessings, from our CD, Mercy Rushes In. Singing is praying twice and as close out 2020, let us count our blessings which come in all shapes and sizes this year. Available on Amazon, iTunes!
Beginning the New Year
“The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.” John 1:9 Many of our sisters love to hike in the San Gabriel Mountains and there is one particular hike that we take in the summer or early fall which spans the entire day. One year we took...
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...
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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