St. John of the Cross-Sayings of Light and Love

SAYING #147

Never listen to the talk about the weaknesses of others, and if someone complains of another, you can tell her humbly to say nothing of it to you.

Today's challenge: Let us try to spend this day refraining from gossip and noticing the faults of others. Let us follow the teaching of St. Paul who tells us that we should only say things that will encourage and build up people and not tear them down. Let us pray for our neighbor and practice the virtue that we see lacking in them.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Carmelite Quiz

Carmelite Quiz

#1-What does discalced mean?

#2-On what Holy Day did St. Therese of the Child Jesus experience her total conversion of heart?

#3-Which Carmelite saint wrote The Precautions?

#4-Which Carmelite saint healed a fellow sister's toothache with a kiss on the cheek?

(Answers tomorrow)

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie

Tabernacle of the Week

St. Edward Church

Ashland, Ohio

Christ: Frequently go to the fountain of grace and divine mercy--the fountain of goodness and all purity--where you can be cured of your passion and vices. Then you may deserve to be made stronger and more watchful in resisting all the temptations and deceits of Satan.

This enemy is aware of the great benefit and remedy for sin contained in Holy Communion, and tries by every ruse and occasion he can to withdraw and prevent faithful souls from it.

Imitation of Christ, Chapter 19

The Church teaches that the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our Faith. For the Secular Carmelite the Eucharist is central to our vocation as well.

Our Rule states:

The liturgical life, as a perennial participation in the Paschal Mystery, nourishes the Secular Carmelites in their daily commitment to follow Christ crucified and risen. It leads toward an ever more perfect union with God, by making the pains and joys of their life an offering of praise and glory to God.

Their liturgical life will express itself chiefly through participation in the Eucharist and in the celebration of the church's Divine Office. They will, as far as possible, join in the celebration of daily Mass, and each day recite Morning and Evening Prayer from the Breviary; if possible they will recite Nigh Prayer before retiring. Article 5

If you have not begun attending daily mass and and receiving holy communion, I would highly recommend this holy practice. Our lives are so short...let us pray that not one day pass without our receiving the Lord who is waiting eagerly for us to receive Him.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Carmelite Quote

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection:

If we wish to enjoy the peace of paradise in this life, we must accustom ourselves to an intimate, humble and loving conversation with Him; we must prevent our minds from wandering away from Him on any occasion; we must make our hearts a sanctuary where we adore him continually; we must ever be on the alert not to do anything,say anything or think anything that might displease him.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Spiritual Life Dictionary

Today's Term: Imagination

A human power or faculty belonging to the interior sensory part of the soul and often used, without differentiation, together with the term fantasy. The power of forming material images, put to use naturally through meditation. Does not have the capacity to reach God, nor does it serve proximately as a means to union. Must be quieted in order to enter the way of the Spirit.

Source: The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D.

Today's challenge: Be on guard for the wandering of the imagination. When you find yourself creating mental images of people, places, and situations, gently bring your focus back to God and your task at hand. Sanctify the hour by asking God to help you refrain from vain fantasies.

Let us pray for each other.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Catechism Quote

Catechism: #1393

Holy Communion separates us from sin. The body of Christ we receive in Holy Communion is "given up for us," and the blood we drink "shed for the many for the forgiveness of sins." For this reason the Eucharist cannot unites us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins: For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the death of the Lord. If we proclaim the Lord's death, we proclaim the forgiveness of sins. If, as often as his blood is poured out, it is poured for the forgiveness of sins,I should always receive it, so that it may always forgive my sins. Because I always sin, I should always have a remedy.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Saturday of Our Lady

Litany of Loreto

Today's Title:

Queen Conceived Without Original Sin

She is a reflection of eternal light, spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. (Wisdom7:27)

The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.

Pope Pius IX, proclamation on the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, 1854.

On the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1858 Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. "Mademoiselle, would you please be kind enough to tell me who you are." At the fourth request, the Lady became serious, stopped smiling, slipped her rosary on her right arm, and with her hands joined she raised her eyes to heaven and said:

"I am the Immaculate Conception."

Source: Discovering Lourdes by Fr. Joseph Bordes

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS