Today, July 26, is the memorial of Saint Anne and Saint Joaquim. Protectors of the Order of Carmelites. Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through its long history, the Carmelite Order has promoted devotion to Christ’s family as a means of drawing closer to him. Since the official title of the Order (“The Brothers and …
Today, July 24, is the memorial of Blessed John Soreth. Reformer and Prior General of the Order of Carmelites. John Soreth was born in France in 1394 and joined the Carmelite Order. Ordained priest around 1417, he became a doctor of theology in Paris in 1438 and then regent of studies there. He was Provincial …
Today, July 23, is the memorial of Saint Bridget. Foundress of the Bridgettines (Order of the Most Holy Savior). Born in 1303, Bridget was the daughter of Birger Persson, a wealthy landowner and governor/provincial judge of Uppland, and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter. Her family were descendants of the Swedish royal house. She was related to Saint …
Today, July 22, is the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. She was a friend and follower of Jesus. Filled with sorrow over her sin, she anointed Christ, washed his feet with her hair. He exorcised seven demons from her. She was visited by the Risen Christ. There are also arguments about her life after the …
Today, July 21, is the memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi. Doctor of the Church. Lawrence was known for using his intelligence and influence in propagating the kingdom of God. He was named Cesare when he was born in 1559 in Naples, Italy, but changed his name to Lawrence when he joined the Order of …
Today, July 20, is the Solemnity of Saint Elijah the Prophet. Father and Inspirator of the Carmelite Order. The origin of Carmel goes back 800 years before Christ, to a prophet named Elijah, who had a fiery zeal for the Lord. Elijah, meaning “My Lord is Yahweh”, had to face the issues of his day …
Today, July 19, is the memorial of Saint Macrina the Younger. Macrina was born in the year 330 in what is now Turkey. She came from a family of saints. She was the daughter of Saint Emmelia and Saint Basil the Elder; sister of Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, and Saint Peter …
Today, July 17, is the memorial of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine & Companion Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne. During the anti-clericalism of the French Revolution, the monasteries and convents were suppressed. Consequently, the Discalced Carmelite nuns were arrested in June 1794, during the Reign of Terror. They were led in a cart through the streets …
Memorial of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine & Companion Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne Read More »
Today, July 16, is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early …
Today, July 15, is the memorial of Saint Bonaventure. Doctor of the Church. Bonaventure was born in 1221. Little is known about his early years, except for the fact that his parents were Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria di Ritella. He healed from a life-threatening childhood disease, thanks to the intercession of St. Francis of …