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
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...
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:...
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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