Carmelite Quote

Photo Source: Wikipedia

St. Raphael Kalinowski

1835-1907

From a letter to his parents describing his call to Carmel:

A year ago there came to me, like an echo, a voice from the grilles of Carmel. This voice was clearly addressed to me and I have accepted it; it was a salvific voice from the infinite mercy of God commanding me. I can only exclaim, 'I will sing the mercies of the Lord forever.'

St. Raphael founded a Carmelite monastery in Wadowice, Poland the city where our late Holy Father, Pope St. John Paul II was born. To learn more about this little-known Carmelite saint, read Saint Raphael Kalinowski: An Introduction to His Life and Spirituality available from ICS Publications. 

Thought for today: Could you describe your conversion/call to Carmel in just a few short sentences as St. Raphael has done? What would you say if someone asked you?

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

CARMELITE SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. RAPHAEL KALINOWSKI, OCD

READ MORE ABOUT THIS SAINT

GRAVE OF ST. RAPHAEL AT THE CARMELITE MONASTERY

CZERNA, POLAND

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

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

Happy Feast Day to all Carmelites!

Comprehensive website of the saint

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:

Online biography of St. Raphael

Photos of St. Raphael-Carmelite Website is in Polish-beautiful photos

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

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Carmelite Quote

From the writings of St. Raphael Kalinowski:

Tomorrow is November 2, the day of the faithful departed. When I was still a boy, I dreamed I would die on All Souls Day. Whether I die on that day or not, no matter what happens, I still confess it is always good. Then I salute you cordially, and I ask you, come what may, to say a De Profundis for my soul.

(From a letter to his friend, Fr. Nowakowski)

(St. Raphael's dream came true, in a way.  He died on November 15, the feast of All Souls of Carmel.)




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Carmelite Quote

St. Raphael Kalinowski, OCD

...If we obey the pope, we obey the Lord Jesus, according to his own words addressed to Peter and the other apostles: "Whoever hears you, hears me" (Lk 10:16).

Therefore, we have the duty to assist the pope, and if we are unable to do it in other ways, let us help with prayers and good works. Let us seek to accomplish with all possible perfection and with the gift of ourselves all the actions of our daily life, even the most insignificant. Let us offer them to the Lord in sacrifice, let us elevate all that we do to a supernatural level, seeking to walk always in the presence of God. In so doing we shall truly belong to the soul of the church, and therefore even the simplest things will be transformed into the sublime; our renunciations and sacrifices, made for the love of God and neighbor, will increase the holiness of the Church with an exemplary Christian life, keeping in mind that we Carmelites belong to the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us willingly make ourselves living stones of the Church, willing servants of our brothers and sisters on this earth, so that we can, after our death, participate in the glory of God forever.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds
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Carmelite Quote

(click to enlarge)

Read more about St. Raphael Kalinowski

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie

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Carmelite Quote

(click to enlarge)

Tomorrow we will celebrate the feast of St. Raphael Kalinowski, canonized by Pope John Paul II. His quote today is certainly in line with Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity's teaching on the indwelling of the Holy Trinity.

Remember, we can participate in perpetual adoration by remaining in the chapel of our heart throughout the day. Let us strive to be united throughout this day with the one whom we know loves us.

Let us pray for each other.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

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Devotion to Our Lady Mother of the Church

Mother of the Church, pray for us!

The Virgin Mary ...is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the Redeemer... She is 'clearly the mother of the members of Christ'...since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head. Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church. Catechism #963

All the saints had a special love and devotion for our Holy Mother, Mary. One Carmelite in particular, St. Raphael Kalinowski, OCD had a beautiful motto: Mary always and in everything.

*His conversion took place through Mary

*He entered Mary's Order, Carmel, whose goal is allegiance to Jesus Christ

*His prayer life imitated Mary-she who pondered the Word in her heart

*As spiritual director he taught souls the way to Jesus is through Mary
*He propagated the scapular devotion-a sacramental of the church, that helps to sanctify every moment of life.

As Lay Carmelites we have a special devotion to our Mother Mary under the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and she has a special love for her children in Carmel. Let us be very, very grateful that Jesus has called us to Our Lady's holy Order. Let us as Catholic Christians be very. very grateful for the great gift of Mary, Mother of the Church.

May we ever thank her for all the prayers and tears she has shed on behalf of all of her children.

On this day, O beautiful Mother
On this day, we give Thee our love
Near Thee Madonna, fondly we hover
Trusting Thy gentle care to prove
(well-known Marian hymn)

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Carmelite Memorial-St. Raphael Kalinowski, OCD

St. Raphael Kalinowski, OCD

Lord God, You made Your Priest St. Raphael strong in adversity and filled Him with a great love in promoting Church unity. Through his prayers make us strong in faith and in love for one another, that we too may generously work together for the unity of all believers in Christ. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

For more information on his life, please visit:

http://elonka.com/family/saint/raphael.html

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS