Sunday, December 30, 2012

Feast of the Holy Family


Photo: R.Massaro (c) Spirit Singing-Sorrowful Mother Shrine Bellevue, Ohio 
 
Deuteronomy 5:16

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord, your God, has commanded you, that you may have a long life and prosperity in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you.



 Prayer to the Holy Family:

God our Father, in the Holy Family of Nazareth you embraced our world with great tenderness and love, and renewed family life in the pure and noble dignity you intended from the beginning.

To Mary and Joseph who walked the path of faith with courage and fidelity, you entrusted Jesus, your Son, to grow in stature and wisdom and in favor with all. Enfolded in the love and warmth of that family the beginnings of our redemption took hold.

Lead us to grow in the warmth and gentleness of the Holy Family, that 'gentle image of the Trinity', poor in the eyes of the world, rich in the treasures of heaven, hidden and unknown on the earth, contemplated by the Angels.

Like Jesus, Mary and Joseph who contemplated your will, Father, as it unfolded, may we, too, hold your Word, ponder it in our hearts, and respond with courage and generosity as Jesus makes his home in us.

Deepen our love for one another and enable us to live in peace, united with you and with each other. Inspired by the way of life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, lead us to union with your Divine Son.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.


 


 

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Friday, December 28, 2012

Feast of the Holy Innocents

PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, in You we adore the eternal origin of all life.  Born of God the Father before all time, You were born of the Virgin Mary in time.  In Your humanity and Person You sanctified motherhood from the first instant of conception through all stages, for our salvation.  Recall all people to these divine blessings to appreciate the unborn as person and to enlighten every human being coming into this world.  In Your mercy avert Your just anger from the enemies of life, to allow God's infants to give Him glory and to be crowned with the heavenly life of grace.  From the cross You called, "Behold your Mother."  Amen.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PATRONESS OF THE UNBORN, PRAY FOR US

 


 GuildBrochureCover
 The Sisters of Life
 


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Sunday, December 23, 2012

The O Antiphons-O Emmanuel












Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Advent Meditation on the O Antiphons








Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Monday, December 17, 2012

CARMELITE QUOTE

                                         


                    Photo: (C) R.Massaro Nativity Cave & Chapel (Replica) Nativity of the Lord Jesus Church Akron, Ohio 

 ‘And the Word became flesh.” That truth became a reality in the 
manger at Bethlehem. But it was to be fulfilled in yet another form: 
‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life”. The 
Savior, who knows that we are human beings and will remain human beings who have to struggle daily with weakness, comes to our assistance in a truly divine manner. Just as the human body is in need of daily bread, so also does the divine life in us require constant nourishment. ‘This is the living bread which came down from heaven’. Whoever really takes this as his daily bread, experiences each day the mystery of Christmas. The Word made flesh. And that is doubtless the surest way to maintain constant union with God, to grow each day more firmly and deeply into the mystical Body of Christ.





St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, OCD (Edith Stein)
Excerpt from The Mystery of Christmas-Incarnation and humanity







Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Saturday of Our Lady




"Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and pray for them." 












Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Friday, December 14, 2012

Carmelite Saint of the Day

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS
CARMELITE PRIEST AND 
DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Photo: R. Massaro (C) Spirit Singing

I hope you enjoy this little video I put together on a poem by St. John



The music is by Kyiv Chamber Choir. Watch the video directly from YouTube and find the link to buy the music. 




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Spiritual Direction with St. John of the Cross



From the Dark Night, Chapter 16, No. 1:

We already said that the darkness the soul mentions here relates to the sensory, the interior, and the spiritual appetites and faculties, because this night darkens their natural light so that through the purgation of this light they may be illumined supernaturally. It puts the sensory and spiritual appetites to sleep, deadens them, and deprives them of the ability to find pleasure in anything. It binds the imagination and impedes it from doing any good discursive work. It makes the memory cease, the intellect become dark and unable to understand anything, and hence it causes the will also to become arid and constrained, and all the faculties empty and useless. And over all this hangs a dense and burdensome cloud that afflicts the soul and keeps it withdrawn from God. As a result the soul asserts that in darkness it walks securely.


Does this description of a soul in deep purification by God frighten you?  It appears to be a paragraph full of negatives.  However, those of us in Carmel know that the teachings of St. John are not filled with doom and gloom. They are words of wisdom filled with light and beauty.

The soul described here is being led from attachment to pleasure of the senses and the pleasure and delight that come from spiritual consolations. One who is suffering through this dark night is a blessed soul indeed.  You may ask, "How can one who suffers darkness, dryness, and spiritual abandonment be so blessed?" If you suffer these things, be mindful of our Lord's words: "Many are called, but few are chosen."  Yes, indeed, we only need to look at our society and see that few indeed are chosen to follow Him in intimate friendship and spiritual union, yes, even to the heights of spiritual marriage.

This purification involves all of the powers of the soul: the intellect, the memory, the will.  We can read in this passage that the intellect becomes unable to understand anything and the memory ceases to function! What is happening? The poor frightened soul experiencing this spiritual purification may run to their doctor and say, "I'm getting Alzheimer's!"  It will take a wise and knowledgeable spiritual director to help the soul through this purification.

How do we know one is experiencing a true "dark night?" Many spiritual people love to call any inconvenience or trial a "dark night."  A person in a divinely led dark night will remain faithful to their Catholic faith.  Nothing, not even the gates of this living hell of purification will separate them from being faithful to the Church and their vocation in life. They will remain faithful to prayer, no matter how difficult it becomes.

Another genuine sign one is experiencing a true dark night is that no one around this person will know about it!  Wow! Go figure!  How is that possible?  Haven't we encountered spiritual people who are quick to tell us about every spiritual ache and pain they suffer. We only need to look at the lives of the saints to understand the life of one living in a true dark night. St. Therese is one example.  Many people do not know that she suffered a frightful trial of faith many years before she died. She was so petrified of losing her faith and knowledge of heaven that she wrote the Creed with her own blood; her small effort to show herself and God that she was living by faith and love alone.


Another example in our time is that of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.  A book was written recently, detailing her spiritual dark night that lasted for years upon years.  And who would have known?  She exuded love and peace to all she met. Yet, she traveled this dark night alone in her heart, yet not alone, for she was led by the One whom we know loves us, as St. Teresa would say.  This was not hypocrisy on her part as some have claimed.  This is a true Christian embracing the cross of her spouse in an intimate union of mystery that we should not even try to comprehend. This secret and hidden love between the soul and the Bridegroom is not to be shared. She did not reveal the "secrets of the King."  This love of the soul and the Bridegroom reflects the love between Jesus and the Father. A mystery we will never comprehend.


In this year of faith, let us keep in mind this teaching of St. John of the Cross. The dark night is full of light, because we are led by faith alone.  If we suffer dryness and feelings of being abandoned by God, do not lose heart. He is beginning a good work in us that He will see through to completion. Are we willing and trustful enough to be led by the hand through the dark night of this earthly life?



One Dark Night,

fired with love's urgent longings
--ah, the sheer grace!--
I went out unseen,
my house being now all stilled.
Excerpt from the poem "The Dark Night"
by St. John of the Cross

Let us pray for each other.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Carmelite Saint of the Day

ST. MARAVILLAS OF JESUS, OCD

St. Maravillas: Founded numerous monasteries, even surpassing
the number founded by Holy Mother, St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)



On December 8, 1974, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception,Mother Maravillas was anointed and received Holy Communion. On December 11,1974, surrounded by her community in the Carmel of La Aldehuela, Madrid, she died. At the time of her death, her sisters report that Mother Maravillas kept repeating the phrase: “What happiness to die a Carmelite!” She was beatified by
Pope John Paul II on May 10, 1998.


Read more about this holy Carmelite






Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sunday in the Year of Faith

St. Maravillas of Jesus
Discalced Carmelite Nun
Feast Day: December 11



We only have to live by faith and then everything becomes easy.  Who could see Him acting so kindly towards us, so full of love, so attentive to our needs, and then not live for Him alone and love Him madly?

What does it matter if someone does not feel faith, provided they are living every moment by it?

Always live a life full of faith and trust, letting the Lord steer your boat and even sleep in it if He wants.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

CARMELITE SAINT OF THE DAY


Blessed Bartholomew Fanti, Carmelite Priest



Bartholomew Fanti was born in Mantua: the year is unknown, but in 1452 he was already a Carmelite priest of the Congregation of Mantua. For thirty-five years at the Order’s Church in Mantua he was spiritual father and rector of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for which he composed a Rule and Statutes. He is especially remembered for his love of the Eucharist. He died in 1495.

Prayer
Lord God,
you made Blessed Bartholomew Fanti
outstanding in his zeal for devotion to the Eucharist
and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
May we experience in this regard
the same fullness of spirit that was his.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Scripture Readings
Ezeckiel 34:11-16; Gospel - John 15:9-17.






Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY

Fr. Greg Homeming, OCD
Homily on the Cross according to Carmelite spirituality
speaks of the cross in the life of St. Therese.











Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

DISCALCED CARMELITES

Discalced Carmelite Friars
Tanzania Mission








Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Monday, November 19, 2012

Carmelite Saint of the Day: St. Raphael Kalinowski, priest

Happy Feast Day to all Carmelites!


St. Raphael was canonized in 1991 by Pope John Paul II.  The first Discalced Carmelite friar canonized since St. John of the Cross! 
He died in 1907 at the Carmelite Monastery he had founded in Wadowice, Poland, the same city in which Pope John Paul II was born.

Visit these websites to learn more about this Carmelite Saint:



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
__________________

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Saturday of Our Lady

November 17
OUR LADY OF SION
(QUEEN OF THE JEWS)

The conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne









Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Thursday, November 15, 2012

CARMELITE QUOTE

ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS:




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Carmelite Monasteries



THE DISCALCED CARMELITE NUNS OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
(Click on photo)




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Saturday of Our Lady

(C) Photo: R. Massaro
Mary "was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory when her earthly life was over, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things."Lumen Gentium, 59

If the winds of temptation arise,
if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation,
look to the star, call on Mary.
If you are tossed upon the waves of pride,
of ambition, of envy, of rivalry,
look to the star, call on Mary.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Carmelite Saint of the Day

Bl. Francis Palau y Quer
Born in Aytona, Lerida, on December 29, 1811, Blessed Francis Palau y Quer entered the Carmelite Order in 1832 and was ordained priest in 1836. Civil turmoil forced him to live in exile and outside his community. On his return to Spain in 1851, he founded his "School of Virtue" -- which was a model of catechetical teaching -- at Barcelona. The school was suppressed and he was unjustly exiled to Ibiza (1854-1860) where he lived at El Vedra in solitude and experienced mystically the vicissitudes of the Church. While in the Balearic Islands he founded the Congregations of Carmelite Brothers and Carmelite Sisters (1860-1861). He preached popular missions and spread love of Our Lady wherever he went. He died at Tarragona on March, 1872, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1980.


Visit the Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock, Arkansas


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
_____________________


Friday, November 2, 2012

ALL SOULS DAY

May all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.













Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

CARMELITE QUOTE




ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS:


...Since unpurified souls must undergo the sufferings of fire in the next life to attain union with God in glory, so in this life they must undergo the fires of these sufferings to reach the union of perfection; This fire acts on some more vigorously than on others, and on some for a longer time than on others, according to the degree of union to which God wishes to raise them, and according to what they must be purged of...

And here it ought to be pointed out why so few reach this high state of perfect union with God. It should be known that the reason is not that God wishes only a few of these spirits to be so elevated; he would rather want all to be perfect, but he finds few vessels that will endure so lofty and sublime a work. Since he tries them in little things, and finds them so weak that they immediately flee from work, unwilling to be subject to the least discomfort and mortification, it follows that not finding them strong and faithful in that little '(Mt. 25:21,23), ...he realizes that they will be much less strong in these greater trials.
St. John of the Cross, the Living Flame of Love. Stanza 2, No. 25-27


HAPPY FEAST OF ALL SAINTS!







Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Monday, October 29, 2012

First Profession of Vows of Sr. Rose Marie,C.P. (Passionist)
 


It's not very often one gets to witness a profession of the Passionist Nuns. These still images with music are beautiful. Enjoy!



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Priesthood Sunday in the Year of Faith


Catechism of the Catholic Church
No: 1120

The ordained ministry or ministerial priesthood is at the service of the baptismal priesthood. The ordained priesthood guarantees that it really is Christ who acts in the sacraments through the Holy Spirit for the Church. The saving mission entrusted by the Father to his incarnate Son was committed to the apostles and through them to their successors: they receive the Spirit of Jesus to act in his name and in his person. The ordained minister is the sacramental bond that ties the liturgical action to what the apostles said and did and, through them, to the words and actions of Christ, the source and foundation of the sacraments.

                                               ORDINATION CLASS OF 2012
                                             (Click on each photo to view a quote from the priest)

 Please pray for the following priests who were ordained in May for the Diocese of Cleveland:


                                                                  Fr. Peter Kovacina


                                                                     Fr. John Mullee


                                                                    Fr. Patrick Spicer

It is part of the vocation of Secular Carmelites to pray for seminarians, priests, and priestly vocations.  Let us remember to pray for all those called to ordained ministry on this Priesthood Sunday.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Saturday of Our Lady






                 National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in the
                              United States at Philadelphia






Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Saturday of Our Lady



Consider the sighs which burst from Mary's sad heart when she saw her beloved Jesus laid within the tomb. What grief was hers when she saw the stone lifted to cover that sacred tomb! She gazed for the last time on that lifeless body of her Son, and could scarcely detach  her eyes from those gaping wounds. And  when the great stone was rolled to  the door of the sepulchure , oh, then, indeed, her heart seemed torn from her body.













Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

FROM VATICAN RADIO
 
 
 
 
 




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Monday, October 15, 2012

Carmelite Saint of the Day

                       SAINT TERESA OF JESUS (AVILA)
                                         OCTOBER 15



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds


Sunday, October 14, 2012

SUNDAY IN THE YEAR OF FAITH



THE YEAR OF FAITH ICON
Porta Fidei (Door of Faith)

Group Discussion

(Icon & questions from the Diocese of Toledo:
http://www.toledodiocese.org/index.php/year-of-faith/year-of-faith-2/icon)
1.The icon is entitled, “Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock.” This is taken from Revelation 3:20. In the verse immediately following this line, Jesus says, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” Why is the imagery of a meal important to our relationship with Christ.

2.The door in the image is called the “Porta Fidei,” or the “Door of Faith.” When is the first time that we open this door as Christians?

3.What forces in our society or in our personal lives are preventing us from hearing Jesus’ knock?

4.Jesus enters through the Door of Faith, but He also invites us to venture out through the same door. What can we do to prepare ourselves for our spiritual journey during this Year of Faith? What areas in your life can you share the Good News of Christ with others?

Personal Reflection


1.Do you see the Door of Faith as a barrier or as an opportunity? What is keeping you from removing the obstruction between Jesus and yourself?

2.Pope Benedict XVI writes that “Knowledge of faith opens a door into the fullness of the saving mystery revealed by God.” What do you want to learn during the Year of Faith? Where can you find resources to answer your questions?

3.The Acts of the Apostles recounts the first mission of Paul and Barnabas and how they had “opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” What is your role in the New Evangelization? In other words, how are you called to spread faith in Christ to others?

4.How can the Blessed Mother and the saints help you on your journey of faith?
 


PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Happy New Year!

       THE YEAR OF FAITH AS PROCLAIMED BY POPE BENEDICT XVI HAS BEGUN!

Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity; our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works.
CCC: 198

                                    ___________________________________________


Click on photo for Year of Faith resources
The Vatican's official Year of Faith website
(click on photo)



The United States Council of Bishops official Year of Faith website








Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

                      Novena to St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)
                                   Feast Day: October 15
                             Solemnity for all Carmelites



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, October 6, 2012

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

A Prayer to Mary, As Patroness of America

Photo: R.Massaro
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.

Into thy loving hands, we place the safety, pace, and welfare of our beloved country, which is dedicated to thee under the title of the Immaculate Conception; as its powerful, loving Patroness, protect, defend and restore to this nation a true, just and enduring peace.

Be thou, O most holy Virgin, as in other times of distress, our help, our protection and our safeguard. Amen.




 

Click on photo to view website of National Shrine








Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

CHRIST THE BRIDEGROOM MONASTERY
BURTON, OHIO
NEAR THE GROUNDS OF THE SHRINE
OF OUR LADY OF MARIAPOCH

Please take a moment to visit an excellent blog by the Sisters of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. One of my favorite blogs!




Sr. Julie and Sr. Jessica are tonsured by Bishop John Kudrick



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Sunday, September 30, 2012

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM


Happy Feast Day of St. Therese to all Carmelites!!
 
From Morning Prayer:
 
God our Father,
you have promised your kingdom to those who are willing to become like little children. Help us to follow the way of St. Therese with confidence so that by her prayers we may come to know your eternal glory. Grant this through our Lord. Amen.


CHILD OF GOD

Last Sunday we heard the words of the Gospel from St. Mark:

...They returned to Capernaum and Jesus, once inside the house, began to ask them, "What were you discussing on the way home?" At this they fell silent, for on the way they had been arguing about who was the most important.  So he sat down and called the Twelve around him and said, "If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant of all." Then he took a little child, stood him in their midst, and putting his arms around him, said to them, "Whoever welcomes a child such as this for my sake welcomes me...
(Mark 9:33-37-NAB)

This teaching for Carmelites should immediately  bring to mind St. Therese's teaching on spiritual childhood.  Her life in the monastery was not an effort to become the superior of the community. She wanted to remain hidden, even among her sisters.  This charism of doing small sacrifices with great love and hidden from the eyes of others is in stark contrast to those who are always trying to draw attention to themselves, even in community life.  They don't get it.  They don't get that we must be the lowly foot-washers in life, and be joyful about it!

The Gospel passage from last Sunday also brings to mind another teaching of Our Lord:
..."I assure you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God."
(Matthew 18:1-3)

In the life of Carmel, through our gift of contemplative prayer, we are seeking the purity of heart that belongs to the children of God, the children of the Kingdom.  The children of God do not have room in their heart for ambition, envy, jealousy, revenge, etc.  If we want to go straight to heaven when we die, we must be nothing less than saints-children with pure hearts.  Otherwise, we will live with the church suffering in Purgatory until we are purified.  Let us be open to being purified now-as Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity teaches us, heaven begins now, not when we die.

How can we obtain the purity of heart that St. Therese and all the saints possess? 

St. Therese of the Child Jesus
1.  We must first desire it and have a sincere desire for it. 
When opportunities arise that test our humility and patience, do we immediately fall into the same pattern of responding unkindly.  Or do we make a sincere effort to overcome our faults?

2.  We must protect the door of our heart.
We have a choice with our free will as to what we let enter into our interior castle--the dwelling place of God. We can murmur and criticize people from deep within if we do not guard ourselves well.

3.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot live a life of virtue and holiness without the help and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We need his help to strengthen us with courage and fortitude to do battle against our ego.

4.  We need the help and support of our brothers and sisters in Carmel.  It's not easy to travel the path of spirtuality alone, we need the help of others who are like-minded, people who have the same goal: heaven.

5. We need the help and prayers of Our Blessed Mother. Our Lady, Queen and Beauty of Mt. Carmel knows our needs and our desire for union with her Son. St. Louis de Montfort wrote that the quickest way to Jesus is through Mary. Truer words were never spoken.  If we want to be children in the Kingdom, let us love our Mother, who loves each member of the Body of Christ as her own.

6.  We need the help and prayers of our Carmelite Saints. The lives and teachings of the Carmelite Saints help us to climb the rocky and dangerous road of Mt. Carmel.  They have gone before us, they know the dangers and can help us to prepare for them.

7.  We must remain faithful to a life of prayer.  Prayer is the way that leads to virtue. Without prayer we become like the living dead that the Lord speaks about.  Prayer helps us to see who we really are before God. Prayer helps us to remain humble. Prayer gives us self-knowledge about our faults and failings. Prayer leads to purity of heart.

Let us pray for each other. Yes, sometimes the journey is easy, the Lord sends help and consolation and an occasional downpour of graces, to help us.  But let's face it.  Life on earth is sorrow but mixed with joy. We can be joyful as Catholic Christians because God remains with us! He remains with us in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar!  Let us run to him like children, eager to be with him for all eternity in the Kingdom of God.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds