Blog | Carmelite Spirituality
Formation in Virtue
The name Luisa means “one famous in battle”. It was a name which held what was as yet an unknown significance. Throughout her life, Maria Luisa would wage a battle.
The Deadline That Changed My Prayer Life
Mornings are God’s masterpieces. A new day awakens, filled with potential. The night sky disappears into the heavens, while the sun slowly creeps up out of the distant horizon.
How Can I Get Out of My Patterns of Sin?
How can I deepen my relationship with God when I am stuck in patterns of sin that I can’t seem to break? I’ve asked this question to several people at different times, but I really can’t seem to figure this out or make any progress. I am really grieved over this.
Silence & Solitude
Solitude is not an empty space, a void; it is an encounter with the God who loves us, a love-space where in the mystery of this encounter, so much awaits us.
Sometimes Prayer is So Frustrating
I really struggle to keep a consistent prayer time and to stay focused when I pray. Sometimes it is so frustrating that I just give up. I know this doesn’t help but what can I do?
Spiritually Stuck, Pt 1
I feel like I am stuck in mansion somewhere in mansion one or two. Is this normal? Where do most people get stuck in the journey through the mansions and is there any common way you can suggest that we get unstuck? Maybe I am just impatient. I feel like I should be growing but I am not.
Spiritual Detachment
Dear Sister – I remember St. John of the Cross said that if a bird is tethered to the earth with a small string or a large rope, it won’t fly. It doesn’t matter how significant the attachment, but any attachment will hinder our flight to God. So what is attachment?
Spiritual Detachment, Pt 2
Attachments are often difficult for us to recognize or admit in ourselves. We can become quite adept at rationalization and transferring the responsibility for our situation on someone else or something else.
Introducing The Wrong Carol and Her Family
Spirit of Carmel spent an afternoon amidst the tangible love and faith which abounds in the Coderre home – a time filled with abundant joy and much laughter with the Coderre family. We spoke with Homer and Bertha Coderre, as well as their daughter, Sister Mary Jeanne Coderre, a Carmelite Sister of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.
Love-given, Love-received
“I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know what his master is about. Instead I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you.” John 15:15