CARMELITE QUOTE

St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)
Feast Day: October 15

Oh, when will that happy day arrive when you will see yourself drowned in the infinite sea of supreme truth, where you will no longer be free to sin! Nor will you want to sin, for you will be safe from every misery, naturalized by the life of your God!

Then, my soul, you will enter into your rest when you become intimate with this supreme Good, understand what He understands, love what He loves,and rejoice in what gives Him joy.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

 OFFER IT UP

These words of wisdom were taught to us by the priests and nuns in our Catholic elementary school in the late 50's.  Although I do not hear these words of wisdom coming from the mouths of babes these days or even from Catholic adults, I feel these words hold a great deal of wisdom.

Our late Holy Father, John Paul II and our current Holy Father, Benedict the XVI, have both warned us about the ever-increasing spiritual diseases of our time, namely, secularism, materialism and relativism.  We are living in a society filled with individuals who have no idea of how to mortify their passions and desires and die to the ego.  "offering it up" is unheard of when everyone believes he is owed something, must have everything he desires on demand, and is opposed to obedience from anyone in authority because he is the sole authority.

If the Holy Spirit has given us the desire to humble ourselves and follow Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we should be very grateful.  If the Holy Spirit has given us the desire to unite our daily sufferings with the suffering Christ, we should be very grateful. While the church teaches that the call to holiness is for everyone, I believe that true virtue and holiness are not "common ground" walked on by the masses.

As Secular Carmelites we are called to be a witness in the world to the charism of contemplative prayer. Yes, all consecrated religious and lay people who are bound by the Evangelical Counsels should be the radiance and light of this world. If we are truly being faithful to our secular vocation we will radiate Christ and his holiness by "offering it up" on a daily basis, perhaps on a moment-by-moment basis.

Let us pray for each other. that we seek and obtain that union with Christ that we long for. May we have a true desire to be one with the suffering Christ. For only by "offering it up" through the Cross will we share in the resurrection glory of the life to come.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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St. John of the Cross-Sayings of Light and Love

Saying-#73

What does it profit you to give God one thing if he asks of you another? Consider what it is God wants, and then do it. You will as a result satisfy your heart better than with something toward which you yourself are inclined.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Scroll down for Novena Prayer to St. Therese
Click on right sidebar for complete novena

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
____________________

Novena Prayer to St. Therese

(For complete Novena

click on right sidebar)

St. Therese, Flower of fervor and love, please intercede for me. Fill my heart with your pure love of God. Make me more aware of the

goodness of God and how well he tends His garden. Instill in me your "little way" of doing ordinary things with extra-ordinary love. Give me the heart of a child who wonders at life and embraces everything with loving enthusiasm. Teach me your delight in God's ways so that divine charity may blossom in my heart.


Little Flower of Jesus, bring my petitions (mention here) before God our Father. With your confidence, I come before Jesus as God's child, because you are my heavenly friend.
Amen.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
_____________________

Novena Prayer to St. Therese

(For complete Novena

click on right sidebar)

St. Therese, Flower of fervor and love, please intercede for me. Fill my heart with your pure love of God. Make me more aware of the goodness of God and how well he tends His garden. Instill in me your "little way" of doing ordinary things with extra-ordinary love. Give me the heart of a child who wonders at life and embraces everything with loving enthusiasm. Teach me your delight in God's ways so that divine charity may blossom in my heart.

Little Flower of Jesus, bring my petitions (mention here) before God our Father. With your confidence, I come before Jesus as God's child, because you are my heavenly friend.

Amen.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

_________________

TABERNACLE OF THE WEEK

Here are a few more photos from my pilgrimage to Lourdes. Here are photos of tabernacles from the various churches at the shrine.

Underground Basilica Tabernacle

Underground Basilica

The Upper Basilica

St. John Vianney Chapel

Adoration Chapel

Tabernacle is the large

"Pillar of Fire"

Rosary Basilica

Altar of St. Bernadette

Rosary Basilica

Interior side altar of Our Lady

Village of Bartres

Parish Church

St. Bernadette lived here

as a shepherdess

Crypt Church-Lourdes

St. Bernadette's Relics

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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