THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

A BLINDING LIGHT

Photo: R. Massaro (C)2017 Spirit Singing-St. Paul Church North Canton, Ohio

Scripture tells us that St. Paul was blind for three days after a light from the sky brought him to his knees as he fell to the ground. The voice of the Lord spoke directly to him, telling him to go into the city. Saul obeyed.

...As he traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed about him. He fell to the ground..."Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?...I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting...(Acts 9:9)

Paul, a military man, who was used to giving orders, was suddenly obeying the voice of Jesus and others around him after this life-changing experience. He was able to trust those around him to lead him into the city. Once in the city, waiting to be told what to do, Saul has a vision: a man coming to him and healing him of his sudden blindness. 

St. Paul's conversion story should make us pause and think of how the Lord became the center of our life. Was our conversion experience as dramatic as Paul's? Or was it a gradual change of heart that led us to follow the Lord? Whether it's the story of St. Paul, or another saint, or a friend or family member, a person's spiritual conversion should leave us amazed and grateful for how the Holy Spirit works to convert the hearts of men.

Sometimes, others around us become that blinding light for us. They speak truthfully and sometimes harshly to us about our sinfulness and lack of virtue. Sometimes, it is the Holy Spirit that sheds the blinding light on us in our time of prayer. He convicts us of sin, encourages us in virtue, or sheds light on Scripture or Church teaching for us. St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) speaks of this sometimes painful light as "self-knowledge." It is the gift of the Holy Spirit who shows us who we truly are before the Lord. Hopefully, we respond in humility and not run in fear from the truth and give up on prayer.

The conversion of St. Paul reminds me of the prophet, Elijah. While St. Paul experienced an audible voice of the Lord, a voice that was heard by those around him, Elijah, the man of prayer, heard the voice of the Lord within his heart. For those of us who are seeking the Lord in prayer on a daily basis, we strive to hear His voice in our heart. We look for a word from Him, telling us what we should do, or we wait for a word of encouragement, or an admonition, or His gift of consolation. We are receptive to whatever He wishes to give us in the time of prayer.

We can recall that when we were first converted to the Lord, we needed the help of others to lead us, just as St. Paul needed his men to lead him into the city. Paul needed the wisdom of others to guide him, just as we need confessors and spiritual directors to lead and guide us. Paul was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit!  We who are baptized and confirmed Christians must go forth and evangelize just as Paul did. Sometimes the mission field is in our backyard with family, friends, and coworkers. Let us share the amazing grace of God with others.

"Amazing Grace...I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see!"





Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

CARMELITE SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. ELIJAH

PROPHET AND FATHER OF CARMEL

JULY 20

Photo: R. Massaro (c) 2017 Spirit Singing-Carmelite Shrine Niagra Falls

The prophet Elijah appears in Scripture as a man of God who lived always in His presence and fought zealously for the worship of the one true God. He defended God's law in a solemn contest on Mount Carmel, and afterwards was given on Mount Horeb an intimate experience of the living God. The inspiration that was found in him from the very beginnings of the Order so pervade its whole history that the prophet may deservedly be called the founder of the Carmelite ideal. (From the Carmelite Proper)

Holy Father, St. Elijah, pray for us!

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

JULY 16

THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

HAPPY FEAST DAY TO ALL CARMELITES!

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2017 Spirit Singing-St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio


NOVENA-DAY 9

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O blessed Finder of Grace, Mother of Life, Mother of Salvation! May we through thee have access to thy Son; and may He, Who was given us through thee, receive us through thee. May thy integrity and innocence excuse before Him the stain of our corruption; may thy abundant charity cover the multitude of our sins, and thy glorious fruitfulness supply our want of merits. Our Mother , our Mediatrix, our Advocate, reconcile us to thy Son, commend us to thy Son, present us to thy son; by the grace with which thou art honored, obtain that He, who through thee put on our weakness, may, through thee, make us partakers of His bliss and glory. Amen.

Antiphon

Hail, Flower of Carmel,

Hail, frutiful Vine!

Hail, ever Immaculate Queen, 

In whom all virtues shine.

O Mother mild, implore thy Son,

To hear our prayers now,

And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

(From a novena dated 1931)

FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2017 Spirit Singing-St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio


DAY 8

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O most glorious and ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel, faithful Protectress of all those who wear thy holy Scapular, behold thy poor servant humbly prostrate at thy feet, deploring his misery and imploring thy prayers, and beseeching thee to protect him through the stormy ocean of this tempestuous world; hear my prayers then, O refuge of sinners, and after this our exile show unto us the Blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O most clement, O most loving, O most sweet Virgin Mary!

Antiphon

Hail, Flower of Carmel,

Hail, frutiful Vine!

Hail, ever Immaculate Queen, 

In whom all virtues shine.

O Mother mild, implore thy Son,

To hear our prayers now,

And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

(From a Novena dated 1931)

FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R Massaro (C) 2017 Spirit Singing-St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio



DAY 7

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O most Holy Mary of Mt. Carmel, pray for me, I beseech thee, that through the merits of thy Son, I may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and that I may serve Him faithfully in this life, and hereafter see, love, and enjoy Him in the kingdom of His glory. Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, One God, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Hail, Flower of Carmel,

Hail, frutiful Vine!

Hail, ever Immaculate Queen, 

In whom all virtues shine.

O Mother mild, implore thy Son,

To hear our prayers now,

And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

(From a Novena dated 1931)

FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2017 Spirit Singing-St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio


DAY 6

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O Mot Glorious and ever Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel, I offer unto thee this day, all my thoughts, words and actions: I am weak and infirm, dejected and cast down at every tribulation, and terrified at the dismal prospect a review of my own interior gives me. All is misery, a continual propensity to vice, and repugnance to virtue. O Mother of Mercy and refuge of sinners, thou wilt not reject a contrite and humble heart. Intercede for me, I beseech thee, that I may so live in this sinful world, that at the hour of death I may be worthy to be admitted into the Regions of Bliss. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, One God, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Hail, Flower of Carmel,

Hail, frutiful Vine!

Hail, ever Immaculate Queen, 

In whom all virtues shine.

O Mother mild, implore thy Son,

To hear our prayers now,

And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA TO OUR LAD OF MOUNT CARMEL

(From a Novena dated 1931)

FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R. Massaro (c) 2017 Spirit Singing-St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio



DAY 5

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O Most Glorious Virgin Mother, who, by favor of thy Divine Son hast so great power in heaven and on earth, enlighten my blindness and strengthen my resolution. The zeal thou hast in promoting the welfare of thy sacred Order, and the part thou takest in seeing the grace of our Redeemer abound in us, give me a right to thy interest in this my request; and when that awful hour of death approaches, be to me, I beseech thee, a tender Mother, and by thy prayers dispose thy Son Jesus Christ favorably in my regard. Amen.

Antiphon

Hail, Flower of Carmel,

Hail, frutiful Vine!

Hail, ever Immaculate Queen, 

In whom all virtues shine.

O Mother mild, implore thy Son,

To hear our prayers now,

And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

(From a Novena dated 1931)

FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2017 Spirit Singing-St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio

DAY 2

O Glorioius Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, vouchsafe to impart to us, Thy unworthy servants, a small portion of that heavenly grace with which Thou has been pleased to sanctify Thy servant Mary; adn grant that, through her intercession and protection, we may be shilded against all temptations, and be secure from all our enemies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Hail, Flower of Carmel,
Hail, frutiful Vine!
Hail, ever Immaculate Queen, 
In whom all virtues shine.
O Mother mild, implore thy Son,
To hear our prayers now,
And at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

(From a Novena dated 1931)

FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2017 Spirit Singing St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio

DAY 1

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear thy holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Saviour, choose thee for my Patroness, that through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Let us pray...

O Almighty and Eternal God, who didst adorn the holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration  may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affection from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee, Who livest and reignest, one God world without end. Amen.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS