SPIRITUAL LIFE DICTIONARY

HUMILITY

Definition: A moral virtue prompting in its possessor  an appreciation and external expression of his true position with respect to God and his neighbor ; opposed, therefore, both to pride and to immoderate self-abjection.

The Catholic Dictionary by Donald Attwater

"Humility is Truth"
St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)

As Secular Carmelites, we are seeking union with God through contemplative prayer.  St. Teresa teaches us that prayer brings self-knowledge. It can be very spiritually and physically painful when the Lord reveals to us the truth about ourselves: our sins, faults, and imperfections.  Let us not lose heart. It is false humility to think we cannot overcome our faults and failings. St. Teresa gives us a very simple description of humility: "Humility is truth."  May the Holy Spirit give us the courage to see ourselves as we really are and the humility to submit to his saving action in our lives. 

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF HUMILITY 

ACCORDING TO ST. BENEDICT

The motto of the Benedictines:
Ora et Labora (Pray and Work)

Note:  Although these teachings were directed to monks, we can benefit from St. Benedict's wisdom on this holy virtue.

1.  The fear of God ever present to the mind and causing us to keep
     the commandments.

2.  Obedience, or the submission of our will to God's.

3.  Obedience to Superiors out of love for God.

4.  Patient obedience even in the most difficult things, bearing 
     injuries without murmur, even and above all, when humiliation  
     comes from Superiors.

5.  The avowal of secret faults, thoughts included, to the Superior, 
     apart from sacramental confession.

6.  The willing acceptance of all privations, of menial offices, 
     considering oneself unworthy of even such tasks.

7.  To consider oneself in all sincerity as the lowest of men. This 
      is a degree of humility rarely found.

8.  Avoidance of singularity: to do nothing out of the ordinary, but 
     to be satisfied with what is sanctioned by the common rule...

9.  Silence: to know how to remain silent as long as conversation is 
     not addressed to us, or as long as there is no good reason 
     to speak.

10.  Moderation of laughter: St. Benedict does not condemn 
       laughter in so far as it is an expression of spiritual joy...

11.  Reserve in speech: when one speaks, it must be done quietly 
       and humbly...

12.  Modesty of behavior: to walk, sit, and hold oneself erect; to 
       practice modesty of the eyes without affectation, to keep one's 
       thoughts fixed on God...
The Spiritual Life by The Very Reverend Adolphe Tanquerey, No.1130

More on the virtue of humility by a modern-day Saint, 

St. Jose Maria Escriva:

St. Jose Maria Escriva's Seventeen signs of a lack of humility:


1.  Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do
      or say.

2.  Always wanting to get your own way.

3.  Arguing when you are not right or when you are insisting     
     stubbornly or with bad manners.

4.  Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity 
     does not demand you to do so.

5.  Despising the point of view of others.

6.  Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on 
     loan.

7.  Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honor or 
     esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you 
     own.

8.  Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation.

9.  Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good 
     opinion of you, or contradict you.

10. Making excuses when rebuked.

11.  Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he 
       may not lose the good opinion he has of you.

12.  Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have 
       spoken well of you.

13.  Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you.

14.  Refusing to carry out menial tasks.

15.  Seeking or wanting to be singled out.

16.  Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words   
       that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your 
       professional prestige…

17.  Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…

CARMELITE QUOTE

PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY

From the writings of St. John of the Cross:

...One should be distrustful of ceremonies unapproved by the Catholic Church; and the manner of saying Mass should be left to the priest who represents the Church at the altar, for he has received directions from her as to how Mass should be said. And persons should not desire new methods as if they knew more than the Holy Spirit and his Church. If in such simplicity God does not hear them, let them be convinced that he will not answer them no matter how many ceremonies they invent. For God is such that if people live in harmony with him and do his will he will give them whatever they want, but if they seek their own interests it will be useless for them to speak to God.

And regarding other ceremonies in vocal prayers and other devotions, one should not become attached to any ceremonies or modes of prayer other than those Christ taught us. When his disciples asked him to teach them to pray, Christ obviously, as one who knew so well his Father's will, would have told them all that was necessary in order to obtain an answer from the Eternal Father. And, in fact, he taught them only those seven petitions of the Pater Noster, which include all our spiritual and temporal needs, and he did not teach numerous other kinds of prayers and ceremonies...

The Ascent of Mount Carmel Chapter 44, No. 3-4

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

PRAYER TO ST. TERESA OF JESUS

THE V CENTENARY OF ST. TERESA OF JESUS

Saint Teresa of Jesus, holy mother,
wholehearted servant of love,
teach us to walk with determined fidelity
along the path of interior prayer,
attentive to the presence of the Blessed Trinity,
the Lord, dwelling deep in us.

At the school of Mary our Mother,
strengthen within us these foundations;
a genuine humility,
a heart free from attachment,
and an unconditional love for others.

Share with us your intense apostolic love
for the Church.
May Jesus be our joy,
our hope and energy,
an unquenchable fountain
and our most intimate Friend.

Bless our Carmelite family.
Teach us, make your prayer our own;
" I am your; I was born for you.
What is your will for me?"
Amen

"La Madre"
by Michelle Haklin








Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

FEAST OF OUR LADY

MATER ADMIRABILIS

(Wonderful Mother)

OCTOBER 20

Photo Source: Wikipedia

 In 1844, a young French novice, Pauline Perdrau, received permission from the Mother Superior to paint Our Lady in a niche located in a corridor that opened on the cloister. Now, Pauline was a very determined, but a “not so good” painter, the sister explained to us, and she had never done a fresco before. So even after spending hours every day for months on the image, the completed work was also “not so good.” In fact, it was so ugly that the Mother Superior hid it from sight by covering it with a curtain. Read more...


PRAYER TO MATER ADMIRABILIS

O Mother of Jesus, we come to you as to a living spring to quench our thirst, or as to a fire to warm our hearts.

You are the light of dawn that dispels our darkness, the Mother always attentive to the distress of her children.

O Mother most Admirable, life is often hard,nor is it easy to tread the path of duty with unwavering step.

It is not easy to love our neighbor, our brother, as Jesus would have us love him, to keep our souls unchanged amid the changing chances of life, to love creatures and yet keep our hearts for God alone,to be little and humble when pride rises up within us.

It is difficult to walk steadily toward the God of light, through dark and misty ways.

There are days when everything is a burden;but you, O Wonderful Mother, can make everything easy.

You make our way easy by making our love stronger.

It was love that impelled you, on the threshold of your high destiny, to utter your “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.”

That word, once given, you never took back. You never resisted suffering but opened yourself to its action, humbly and sweetly offering it to God.

O Mother, may your example be my strength.

O most sweet Mother, give me a valiant heart,and when my love grows weak, give me, your child, something of your own love, that I may learn again from you what true love means.

(From the Society of the Sacred Heart)

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

HAPPY FEAST DAY OF OUR HOLY MOTHER

ST. TERESA OF JESUS

ANNUAL CLOTHING AND PROFESSION MASS 

SECULAR CARMELITES AKRON, OHIO

COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 13

Photo: R. Massaro (c)2013 SpiritSinging
Shrine of Padre Pio-Barto, PA.



THE HOLY FATHER WILL CONSECRATE THE WORLD
TO OUR LADY'S IMMACULATE HEART
 ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2013

READ MORE...

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

CARMELITE QUOTE

ST. TERESA OF JESUS (AVILA)

FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 15

ON HUMAN PRAISE

Concerning the peace the world gives through honors. I don't think I have to say anything for you; the poor are never honored very much. What can do you great harm is praise--for once it starts it never ends--if you are not careful, so as to humble yourselves more afterward. The most common way will be by telling you that you are saints, in such exaggerated terms that it seems the devil teaches these words. And indeed he must sometimes. For if the words were spoken in the person's absence, they could be tolerated. But spoken in the person's presence, what fruit can they bear? Only harm, if you are not very cautious.

For love of God I ask you that you never seek peace for yourselves through these words of praise, for little by little they could do you harm and make you believe that the truth was spoken or make you think that now everything is accomplished and that you have done your part. You should never let a word of praise pass without it moving you to wage war interiorly, for this is easily done if you acquire the habit.
Meditations on the Song of Songs, No. 11 & 12


Enjoy the "Living Flame of Love" (Poem by St. John of the Cross)
performed by the Malone University (Canton, Ohio) Chamber Choir.








Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

FROM THE BOOK OF SIRACH

FEAR THE LORD

Photo: R. Massaro (C)2013 SpiritSinging
Our Lady of Consolation Carey, Ohio

You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy,
   turn not away lest you fall.

You who fear the Lord, trust him,
   and your reward will not be lost.

You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,
   for lasting joy and mercy.
                                            (Sirach 2: 7-9)


Those who fear the Lord
   disobey not his words; those who love him
   keep his ways.

Those who fear the Lord seek to please him,
   those who love him are filled with his law.

Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts
   and humble themselves before him.
                                         (Sirach 2: 15-18)

VISIT THE MONASTERY OF SAN RAFAEL CALIFORNIA

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Please pray for our members who will be clothed in the habit of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and for those who will make Temporary and Final Profession.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY

FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 7

Photo: R. Massaro (c) 2013 Spirit Singing
International Pilgrim Virgin Statue at St. Edward Ashland, Ohio

On October 7, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the yearly feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Known for several centuries by the alternate title of “Our Lady of Victory,” the feast day takes place in honor of a 16th century naval victory which secured Europe against Turkish invasion. Pope St. Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was invoked on the day of the battle through a campaign to pray the Rosary throughout Europe. Read more...


PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY:

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: (Mention your request).

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, 
dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God's holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should 
not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual "Bouquet of Roses" because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your 
prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.







Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds