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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. Living in the Presence of God can be a daunting task in this busy hectic world we live in. The top of the ocean may be swarming with rough and crashing waves but if we go a little deeper we will find the tranquil calm. It is similar...
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Our light has come,the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” Isaiah 10:1 Today the Church celebrates the great feast of the Epiphany, our God manifesting Himself to the world. Is this important? Well, we...
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. Each culture has its treasure trove of beloved saints and well-loved prayers. And, being of Irish descent myself, allow me to ring in the New Year of 2020 with a traditional, Irish prayer. I think you may have already heard it, perhaps...
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. JOY is a special word. It’s not quite the same as happiness. Definitely not the same as pleasure. There is something profoundly deep hidden within the word “joy”. I wonder why, and I also wonder if other people have felt this subtle...
By: Sister Mary Colombiere As the earth lay sleeping in the chilly throes of death, a light breaks forth and in the silence of that night, the Word leapt down from heaven Thus opens the season of Advent preparing us for the revelation of God-with-us, which will become...
By Sister Mary Colombière, O.C.D. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”2 Timothy 3:12 “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.”Tertullian These first verses may not sound very inviting, but do not stop reading!...
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. So you ask me outright: “What are you willing to die for?” Well, that’s one question I’ve never been asked before! This will take some thought before I can answer. Do you mean to die for as in DIE? Die for something like a person or a...
By: Sister Mary Colombiere, O.C.D. How often as a child did you hear the words, “Do you wanna play?” One of childhood’s favorite games was ‘Hide and Seek’. Which did you prefer? To be the one to hide and look for a place that you thought would not be discovered? Or to...
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. Sacrifice is defined as something that you give up, or as a loss, usually for the sake of a better cause. The word sacrifice originally had a religious meaning, coming from the Latin sacra and facere meaning “to perform sacred...
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D.St. Paul exhorts us to: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18).Whoa, you mean me? In this busy fast-paced world? Prayer...
Sister Mary Colombière, O.C.D.How do you get to know someone better?When my Dad first became interested in my Mom, he learned where she lived and then went to her home hoping to visit with her. However, my grandmother was not too keen on his attempt to get closer to...
By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D. Saint Teresa of Avila’s personality exuded passion and vibrancy. Shaker and mover. Trailblazer. Leader. Motivator. Her life personifies those fiery words first uttered by the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel: “With zeal have I been...
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D.Life is a journey. We were not conscious of our beginning but we can prepare for the Grand Finale! Here are a few tips to take along the way.This final journey of life is one we take alone, yet God gives us the opportunity to accompany...
By: Sister Carmelina, O.C.D. “Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel? … I can only imagine when all I would do Is forever, forever worship You …” (Bart Millard) The greatest consolation when a loved one, or we ourselves, encounter or approach...
By: Sister Jeannine Marie, O.C.D. In this Year of the Family, we have traveled through all the stages of life. We now approach what many believe to be – The End. This may work on movie screens, but deep within each human being, there is an unspoken certainty that this...
Excerpts taken from To Love Me In Truth and Early Chronicles. Father Leroy Callahan knew of Mother Luisita’s hope for a retreat house, and like Mother Margarita Maria, he never forgot it. Once the congregation became established in the diocese and after the passing of...
