“James of Vitry has compared the contemplatives of Carmel to busy bees. Over the great moors they fly in their quest for honey. Away from the dust and grime of life, in the cool and open spaces, they collect their honeystore. For worldlings it is an arid place and uninviting, but for them the desert …
“Through the parable of the two standards, St. Ignatius taught his disciples to see life in terms of battle: the following of the great leader for the greatest of all causes. The same idea is contained in the chapter of the Rule we have been considering. For if the spirit of the Order is characterised …
“But armor is to protect us; we need weapons for the warfare. For a sword we have, sixthly, the word of God. It must be in our hearts and on our lips. All is to be done in His name. God’s holy name is the watchword given to us by our Rule.” Bl. Titus Brandsma …
“The fifth piece is the helmet of salvation, symbol of hope and confidence. The helmet protects the head – with it we can walk with head erect and no fear can overcome us.” Bl. Titus Brandsma What do you think of this quote? Write it on the comment section. 📸 Ritche T. Salgado, O.Carm.
“Then the shield of faith. Only a living faith can sustain us against attack. Without a living faith, our vocation is meaningless. Our faith is the source of all power. It is the faith which gives us our life’s purpose and direction. Half-faith can accomplish little. But a living faith is a creative and an …
“The second piece of spiritual armor, the breastplate, protects the most vital part of the combatant. Your breast must be protected with holy thoughts. They must fill your heart and strengthen it inwardly and defend it as with impenetrable armor. The cuirass of righteousness is the third piece we put on. It is difficult to …
“Thirdly, let me remind you of a third chapter of the Rule, which recalls so vividly the crusading spirit. That particular chapter is full of the noise of battle. But it is no longer the battle against the Saracens, but against a more terrible enemy of the holy land, of our own souls. It bids …
“A second point emphasized by the Rule is silence and recollection as a necessary condition for a life of prayer. Active recollection, by which we put ourselves and keep ourselves in the presence of God, has always been regarded as the essential preparation for communion with God in the mystic life. Just as the Prophet …
“In order to appreciate better in what this training consists, let us consider in brief three points emphasised by our Rule. The introduction reminds us that many of the things in the Rule are common to all who bind themselves by the three vows, to lead a life of perfection. But it brings the Vow …
“Carmel, unlike the children of our day, is not afraid of the mystical life. The spirit of the Order does not regard it as doing violence to nature but knows that nature in the last analysis is destined for such perfection. Nor is the mystical way the only way. Great sanctity may be achieved without …