Christmas Message from the Prior Provincial and Council Beloved brothers and sisters in Carmel: Thanks be to God, we have been able to live through another year and look forward to welcoming a new one very soon. The gift of life is undoubtedly precious, but perhaps we have not cherished and valued this gift as …
When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.“What did you go out to the desert to see a reed swayed by the wind?Then what did you go out to see?Someone dressed in fine garments?Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuouslyare found in royal palaces.Then what did …
Today, December 16, is the memorial of Blessed Mary of the Angels. Carmelite nun. She was born Marianna Fontanella in Turin, Italy in 1661 to nobility. She was a distant cousin of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. At around six years old, Marianna already knew she had a vocation to the religious life. One day, she planned …
Today, December 15, is the memorial of the Blessed Martyrs of Drina. Blessed Jula Ivanisevic, Berchmana Leidenix, Krizina Bojanc, Antonija Fabjan, and Bernadeta Banja were all members of the Daughters of Divine Charity. They served the poor in the Serbian village of Pale. Anti-Christian Serb soldiers burned their convent in late 1941. The sisters were …
At that time,John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”When the men came to the Lord, they said,“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,‘Are you the one who is to come, or should …
Today, December 14, is the feast of Saint John of the Cross. Carmelite and Doctor of the Church. Born in Fontiveros, Spain in 1542, Juan de Yepes y Álvarez lived in poverty. In Medina del Campo, John was able to study and become an altar boy at a nearby Augustinian nunnery. There, he also cared …
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:“What is your opinion?A man had two sons.He came to the first and said,‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’but afterwards he changed his mind and went.The man came to the other son and gave …
Today, December 13, is the memorial of Saint Lucy. Patron saint of the blind & people with eye problems. Lucy was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family. She consecrated her virginity to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage …
When Jesus had come into the temple area,the chief priests and the elders of the people approached himas he was teaching and said,“By what authority are you doing these things?And who gave you this authority?”Jesus said to them in reply,“I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me,then I shall tell …
The crowds asked John the Baptist,“What should we do?”He said to them in reply,“Whoever has two cloaksshould share with the person who has none.And whoever has food should do likewise.”Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,“Teacher, what should we do?”He answered them,“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”Soldiers also asked …