Blog | Carmelite Spirituality
St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross
These two, although years apart in age and in their lived experience of religious life first met when Teresa, beginning the foundation of her second reformed Carmel, was 52 years of age and John newly ordained as a priest was 25.
What is a Vocation and How is it Different from a Job?
During this onset of adulthood, we begin thinking about a vocation, a career, a chosen path of life. This too can be scary, exhilarating, or downright emotional. We’ve all be there. And for anyone who hasn’t been there yet, be assured the day will come for you, too.
Why Consecrated Chastity?
Several years ago a voice was heard bellowing out in an airport waiting area,
“Chaste for 45 years!”
The surrounding space was electrified as heads turned toward us as I stood facing a non-Christian gentleman who had asked me if we practiced chastity and then posed to me the question of “How long have you been a Sister?”
Henceforth You Will Be Called
Just as God gave man dominion over the birds of the air and the fish of the sea and empowered him to name them, so Our Lord, in His love and power, names us with “a new name” as we enter the consecrated life.
Why Mary?
Why do we honor and show such regard for Our Blessed Lady? Why Mary? The number one reason is Jesus himself…
Getting To The Heart of the Matter
In our devotion to the Sacred Heart we reflect on Jesus in His humanity. John Paul II had reminded us that “In the Heart of Christ, man’s heart learns to know the genuine and unique meaning of his life and of his destiny…” Thus the devotion to the Heart of Jesus is for us as Carmelites a very real part of our pilgrimage to the Father for we can only come to Him through Jesus.
What is the Carmelite Charism? (Pt. 2)
Every religious community is unique because it lives out the charism or gift of the Holy Spirit, that vision of how to follow Christ imparted to its founder or foundress, to fulfill a need in the upbuilding of the Church and which determines the life of the community and the mission entrusted to it…
Why does my faith walk seem so lonely to me at times?
When times grow hard and the light grows dim, in times of testing and trial, it is then that the virtue of faith comes into action. Belief can be a powerful motivator, and a deep faith keeps us moving through the darkness.
What is a Charism? (Pt. 1)
In Chapter 10 of John’s Gospel Jesus tells us that He came that we might have life and have it to the full. Jesus does not measure His gifts; He gives over and above. He draws us to Himself by Truth, Beauty and/or Goodness. No one of these aspects can be expressed completely by one charism. A charism can only reflect back to us one facet of God’s perfection, yet even that facet itself is never exhausted…
Pray Always?
“Seriously? Pray always?” That is not an uncommon reaction to St. Paul’s admonition to pray always without ceasing. Does he know what we’re up against?