Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,“Hear me, all of you, and understand.Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;but the things that come out from within are what defile.” When he got home away from the crowdhis disciples questioned him about the parable.He said to them,“Are even you likewise without …
“Special attention must be called to the vision of Elias on Carmel. This vision is the foundation of the Marian character of Carmelite spirituality. It was on Carmel’s summit that the Prophet, after sevenfold prayer, saw a little cloud – bearer of the rain which would deliver the parched earth. It is not necessary to …
Today, February 8, is the memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita.She was born to a well-to-do and respected Sudanese family in 1869. She was kidnapped by Arab slave-traders (she was around 7 to 9 years old). Because she was severely traumatized by her abduction, she completely forgot her real name. She was given the name Bakhita, …
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalemgathered around Jesus,they observed that some of his disciples ate their mealswith unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,do not eat without carefully washing their hands,keeping the tradition of the elders.And on coming from the marketplacethey do not eat without …
“Such in brief outline is the Eucharistic tradition of Carmel; with Elias we walk in the strength of that divine bread and since we would draw near to the life of God in prayer, we must be ever mindful of the Savior’s command, ‘Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink …
Today February 7, is the memorial of Blessed Pope Pius IX. Born Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti in 1792 to a noble family, Pope Pius IX began his papacy in 1846. He was the longest-reigning elected pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving for over 31 years. One of his first acts as Pope …
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaretand tied up there.As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.They scurried about the surrounding countryand began to bring in the sick on matsto wherever they heard he was.Whatever villages or towns or countryside he …
“The special cult of the Holy Sacrament has not been confined to Carmel, but we can say that it has always been a constant and important part of our Carmelite tradition. Our Carmelite convents have in many instances been centers of Eucharistic worship. St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi was attracted to the Carmel of Florence …
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.He saw two boats there alongside the lake;the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,he asked him to put out a short distance …
“In the school of Carmel, the mystical contemplative life is the fruit of the Eucharistic life. For the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, the fountain of our life of prayer, the life of Elias provides us with a most striking type. The miraculous bread ministered to him is a perfect image of that Eucharistic food, …