UPCOMING CARMELITE CANONIZATION

NEWS OF GREAT JOY FROM THE TERESIAN HOUSE OF CARMEL IN ROME:

The Carmelite Sisters of the Holy Land-Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified, Mariam Baouardy (1846-1878) will be canonized May 17, 2015 in Rome.

Born in Galilee, Mariam lived in Egypt, Lebanon, France, India and completed her short life in Bethlehem. She is a bridge between the Christians of the East and of the West, and she invites us to live more intensely the Communion of Saints in the breath of the Holy Spirit.

"In her, everything speaks to us of Jesus" said Saint John Paul II. We are pleased that the flower of the Holy Land is given as an example to the Universal Church and particularly to the Middle East. It is a great joy, a sign of hope and support for Eastern Christians!

The canonization will take place in this year of the Consecrated Life and the fifth centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite reformer. Mariam, worthy daughter of St. Teresa, became the first Carmelite saint of the Middle East.

We share our joy with the whole Carmelite family, friends of Carmel, the Churches of the Middle East and all those who feel touched by the witness and message of Mariam.

http://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com

Read more about this holy Carmelite

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

A GOOD BOOK

The news has been saturated of late about the release of a sinful film based on a sinful book. And the masses are loving it. I'm sure there are many Catholics who have read this book and will no doubt see the movie. So, here is another teaching moment about the sad state of our society.

In the writings of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) she begins the story of her life (a very good book!) by speaking about her virtuous parents. She tells of her father as being extremely virtuous. Then, not far along in her story she speaks of a bad habit she developed by reading books of chivalry. She had a deep attachment to these stories and was not happy unless she had a new book to read. However, the Holy Spirit gave her light to see the dangers of this attachment. Read on as she explains her plight in her own words:

What I am going to tell about began, it seems to me, to do me much harm. I sometimes reflect on the great damage parents do by not striving that their children might always see virtuous deeds of every kind. For even though my mother, as I said, was so virtuous, I did not, in reaching the age of reason, imitate her good qualities; in fact hardly at all. And the bad ones did me much harm. She loved books of chivalry. But this pastime didn't hurt her the way it did me, for she did not fail to do her duties; and we used to read them together in our free time. Perhaps she did this reading to escape thinking of the great trials she had to bear and to busy her children with something so that they would not turn to other things dangerous to them. Our reading such books was a matter that weighed so much upon my father that we had to be cautioned lest he see us. I began to get the habit of reading these books. And by that little fault, which I saw in my mother, I started to grow cold in my desires and to fail in everything else. I didn't think it was wrong to waste many hours of the day and night in such a useless practice, even though hidden from my father. I was so completely taken up with this reading that I didn't think I could be happy if I didn't have a new book.
The Life, Chap. 2, No. 1

While the books that St. Teresa read were tame adventure stories with a touch of romance, she saw the danger in them. The popular romance novels of today are nothing but soft porn. Addiction to pornography affects an overwhelming number of the population today. Here is what the Catechism says about pornography:

 2354 Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world.It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.

The movie that has just been released will be seen by a vast number of young people who will be influenced by this film. It's nothing but a glorification of sexual perversion and fornication. Here is what the Catechism states about this:

2353 Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children. Moreover, it is a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young.

2351 Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.

Thankfully, priests and bishops are coming out to denounce this movie. This is what Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati had to say about the film:

"This movie is in direct contrast to the Christian message of God’s design for self-giving and self-sacrificing love, marriage and sexual intimacy," he continued. "The movie is a direct assault on Christian marriage and on the moral and spiritual strength of God’s people. We need to inform our people about the destructive message of this movie and to highlight the beauty of God’s design for loving relationships between a husband and wife in the bond of marriage." 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have rated the film "O" morally offensive. Here is a link to their review of the movie:
  http://www.catholicnews.com/data/movies/15mv020.htm


As Catholics and as Secular Carmelites, let us take up and read good books that will feed our soul and help us spiritually. During the upcoming Lenten season we could read the ultimate good book, the Bible. 

Our Lady of Fatima warned us about the sins of the flesh. She told the children that most souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh. She asked the children to pray and offer sacrifices for sinners. They responded in a heroic degree and now their cause for canonization is before the Holy See.

Let us pray for those who are easily tempted, for those who fall into temptation, and for those living in grave mortal sin.  Let us pray for our country, for a return to purity, holiness, and reverence for God and his commandments.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

CARMELITE QUOTE

Carmel of the Holy Family-Cleveland, Ohio

From the writings of St. Therese of the Child Jesus:

My desires caused me a veritable martyrdom, and I opened the Epistles of St. Paul to find some kind of answer. Chapters Twelve and Thirteen of the First Epistle to the Corinthians fell under my eyes. I read there, in the first of these chapters, that all cannot be apostles, prophets, doctors, and so on, that the Church is composed of different members, and that the eye cannot be the hand at one and the same time. The answer was clear, but it did not fulfill my desires and gave me no peace. Without becoming discouraged, I continued my reading, and this sentence consoled me: "Yet strive after the better gifts, and I point out to you a yet more excellent way." And the Apostle explains how all the most perfect gifts are nothing without love. That charity is the excellent way that leads most surely to God.

I finally had rest. Considering the mystical body of the Church, I had not recognized myself in any of the members described by Saint Paul, or rather I desired to see myself in them all. Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that if the Church had a body composed of different members, the most necessary and most noble of all could not be lacking to it, and so I understood that the Church had a heart and that this heart was burning with love. I understood it was love alone that made the Church's members act, that if love ever became extinct, apostles would not preach the Gospel and martyrs would not shed their blood. I understood that love comprised all vocations, that love was everything, that it embraced all times and places...in a word, that it was eternal...


Yes, I have found my place in the Church and it is you, O my God, who have given me this place: in the heart of the Church, my mother, I shall be love.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

A Peaceful Demonstration

Photo: R. Massaro: St. George Romanian Catholic Church-Canton, Ohio

Recently, while reading the news I heard about a peaceful demonstration that turned violent.  I'm sure we can all agree that this is not surprising, it's a sign of the times in which we are now living. Each day we read about shootings and killings. We hear about the tragic outcome of a situation involving a seemingly well-liked, quiet, person; a good neighbor who "snaps" and goes on a violent rampage. It seems that even well-meaning persons who gather to support an issue give way to name-calling, physical attacks, and violence.

I suggest, that as Catholics, as Secular Carmelites, we engage in a "peaceful demonstration" each day by praying the Rosary for world peace and for peace in our hearts and in our families.  Our Lady herself, Our Lady of Fatima, asked us to pray the Rosary each day for peace. Are we listening to her? Let us demonstrate to the world that we are a people of prayer who trust in God!

We must strengthen our soul by prayer so that we can be virtuous in good times and in the struggles of life. We can't let our spiritual life get so out of hand that we harbor anger and hatred against our neighbor, or we too will "snap" if caught off guard. Our "peaceful demonstration" can turn spiritually violent in a matter of moments if we are not prepared for the battles of life. We can't attend Mass or pray the Rosary one minute and then in the next moment leave church and swear at the driver in front of us. We can't pray the Rosary one minute and then abuse our spouse or our children. We can't pray the Rosary one minute and then complain about Church teaching, a teaching not to our liking. Peace can only be obtained with a true conversion of heart and an authentic prayer life.

We are so busy that we find it difficult to take the time to spend an extra 15 minutes or so in prayer each day. Our Lady told us that the Rosary is a powerful prayer, that it can bring an end to wars! Our Lady of Fatima said this to the three visionaries:

"You must recite the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war..." 

Our Lady is a powerful intercessor before the Throne of God. Let us beg her to obtain peace for the world. And let us not be discouraged when reading the news. Even Sr. Lucia, one of the visionaries became frightened when she learned she would have to remain alone in the world, without her cousins to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, but Our Lady consoled her and said, "I will never leave you, my Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God."

As Catholic Christians, we are a Eucharistic people who should be filled with hope, thanksgiving, and joy! We have Our Lord with us! He left us an awesome gift, himself. We are free to attend Mass and receive him each day. If we remain faithful, we will be with him forever.

Let us be witnesses in the world of God's abiding love for us. Let us join together in a "peaceful demonstration" by praying the Rosary for world peace.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds

CARMELITE QUOTE

St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila):

I sometimes experienced, as I said, although very briefly, the beginning of what I will now speak about. It used to happen, when I represented Christ within me in order to place myself in His presence, or even while reading, that a feeling of the presence of God would come upon me unexpectedly so that I could in no way doubt He was within me or I totally immersed in Him. This did not occur after the manner of a vision. I believe they call the experience "mystical theology." The soul is suspended in such a way that it seems to be completely outside itself. The will loves; the memory, it seems to me, is almost lost. For, as I say, the intellect does not work, but it is as though amazed by all it understands because God desires that it understand with regard to the things His Majesty represents to it, that it understands nothing.

Before this, I felt very habitually a tenderness that, it seems to me, can in part be acquired, a favor that is neither entirely of the senses nor entirely spiritual. Everything is given by God, but it seems we can help a great deal to receive this tenderness by considering our lowliness and the ingratitude we have shown toward God, the many things He did for us, His Passion with such heavy sorrows, His life so afflicted, and by delighting in the sight of His works, His grandeur, how He loves us, and in the many other things that those who truly want to improve spiritually are often able to find all around them, even though they do not seek to do so deliberately. 
The Book of Her Life-Chap. 10, 1-2


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

CULTURE OF VULGARITY

St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila): "Poisonous creatures turn everything they eat into poison."

Recently, I updated our community's status on Facebook and sifted through some of the posts from "friends." I am more and more disheartened by the language used and items posted by not only those "in the world," but by yes, religious persons.

It seems vulgar speech, attitude, and lifestyle is present everywhere. I feel we are in the midst of the Culture of Vulgarity, which leads to nothing less than spiritual death.

Our Lord told us that it is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean but what comes out of his mouth that makes him impure.

It is not what goes into a man's mouth that makes him impure; it is what comes out of his mouth. (Matthew 15:11)

And more about the sins of speech from the Letter of James:

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? [James 3:8-11]

Sometimes, it's hard to distinguish when vulgarity crosses the line and becomes a sin of blasphemy or profanity. Here are definitions of abusive language from Catholic Straight Answers. Visit their website-catholicstraighanswers.com

Blasphemy

Blasphemy is contempt for God, expressed in thought, word, or action.  To use words either vocally or mentally against God which show hatred, reproach, disrespect, or defiance is sinful.  This prohibition also applies to the Blessed Mother and the saints as well as sacred things or Church related practices.  Moreover, blasphemy includes invoking God’s name to legitimize crimes or harmful actions against others.  The Catechism notes that blasphemy is a grave sin.

Cursing

Cursing is to call down evil from God, and usually involves specifically invoking God’s name, not just His power.  For instance, all of us have heard someone say, “God damn it,” or even “God damn you”.  Here a person is commanding God, who is all powerful, all good, and all just, to damn someone (or something) in Hell for all eternity.  Who are we to ask God to damn anyone or to bestow some evil upon anyone?  Objectively, this act is a mortal sin.

Profanity

Profanity itself is wrong, even though such words may not specifically involve the name of God.  God gave mankind the gift of language which should be used positively.  Language should build good relationships with other individuals, and enable people to share their lives intimately with each other.  Sadly, more and more, we hear in normal conversation profanity– especially those four letter words, like s*** and f***.  We also hear people speak profanely about good and holy topics; for example, they profane human sexuality or the act of marital love. Such language is not only negative, vulgar, impolite, and offensive, but also debases the dignity of each human being.  Moreover, this language reveals not only a person’s bad attitude and lack of respect for others, but also his own immaturity and insecurity in dealing with others.  In using these words, the person builds barriers rather than bridges with another person.
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As Secular Carmelites, we should be on guard as to what we let enter our heart and what we express with our lips.  Let us rise above the culture of vulgarity so that we are not like those today who spew evil and filth with every sentence that comes out of their mouth. St. Teresa describes these persons aptly:"Poisonous creatures turn everything they eat into poison..."

St. John of the Cross describes the soul as the "most beautiful of all creatures," let us not mar the beauty of our soul by vulgar, lewd, and profane speech.

Let us pray for each other!



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Heart of Jesus and Mary, ocds

2014 Christmas Letter from our Carmelite Father General,Saverio Cannistra, OCD

Photo: R. Massaro, Sorrowful Mother Shrine-Bellevue, Ohio

CHRISTMAS 2014
P. Saverio Cannistrà, Preposito General


In the mystery of Christmas, God asks man to receive him. He calls at the door of our home, our world, our daily tasks: he wants to enter, find a place where we are, our things, our thoughts, our affections; he does precisely what every human who comes
into the world does, every guest (expected or unexpected) who shows up at our doorstep. Man always asks the other man to make room for him, to give him time: without this, he cannot live. And the miracle of Christmas is this: if God makes himself man, it is because he needs man to take care of him. This, as paradoxical as it seems and contrary to any natural or philosophical idea about God, is nevertheless understandable. Perhaps what is more difficult to understand is that this welcoming defines man’s salvation. Man is saved the moment he cares for God. Receiving the God-made-man, man receives himself, he welcomes himself in the most authentic and radical way, and is able to love himself at last.

Yes, because the problem is that man does not love himself at all and does not take care of himself at all. When we read in the Gospel of Luke, “because there was no room for them [for us] in the inn,” or in the Gospel of John, “He came to what was his
own, but his own people did not accept him,” it is really about man himself that the Gospel is speaking. This is what Christmas primarily, fundamentally brings to light: we discover that in our lives and dwellings, in our minds and hearts, there is no place for
ourselves, for what we truly are, for that incessant dynamism that is man, for his infinite potential for love. Everything is already scheduled, the agenda is already full, a bit like our calendars at the beginning of the new year.

And of what is this man made, who bids enter and find lodging within us? I believe it is the Word of God, if we read between the lines, that gives us many elements to reconstruct his countenance and understand his nature.

The first element is time. He is a man made of time, who needs time. He needs almost a year to learn how to walk, and more than a year to learn to talk, and then more years to learn to read, write, work.... Jesus spends thirty years in Nazareth growing in years, wisdom, and grace. Many days, months, years, which are not consistently the same, but are steps that succeed each other and are consequences of each other. Time does not repeat itself, it continues, as we say, “inexorably”; yet, not: it evolves in a
beneficial manner, salvifically. I ask myself if we still have that same sense of time, of existence, of its “unfolding,” which is actually a making way, or on the contrary, if we are attached to the moment, to many moments, each identical to the other, without
progression, without direction, one piled upon or imprinted on the other. We are in a hurry to see results, to possess tangible goods which in reality are only ephemeral images, made of the same stuff as dreams. The God who becomes man asks us to welcome man in his temporalities, who grows and matures slowly.

The God who enters our life is also the man that contains inner spaces and landscapes. The birth of Jesus is surrounded by a series of experiences that happen in solitude and interiority. The gospels speak of angels, that is to say messages that envelope Mary in her awaiting, Joseph in his questioning, the shepherds in their nocturnal vigil. And we are told that all these people discovered a different reality, hidden from the eyes of the world, but that generates life, light, and new hope. “They were filled with joy and Spirit,” in the words of the Gospel of Luke. Joy and Spirit spring from within, like a fountain that issues from the depths of the rock. Man is made of this rock: in him there is something very solid, very resistant. But is there room for this solitude in our world, which we now sometimes qualify as “fluid”? Do we want to be solid? Do we really want to resist the winds and currents that beckon, distract, and tempt us? Are we not afraid to be anchored down, when everything seems to let itself be carried away by a sweet drifting? Yet faith is being steadfast, faithfulness is remaining steadfast, peace is being steadfast, not in the sense of being inert or like the peace of a cemetery, but a wanting to profoundly root ourselves in something that is true: constant and trustworthy despite everything. It is the Word, the Logos from which we come, but which “the world did not know.” Many words, too many senses, many paradises attract us.

And lastly, this man that bids us receive him and recognize him is made of flesh: the Word became flesh. This is what the Gospel of John tells us. It does not say: he became man, but rather, he became flesh, even knowing that in a certain way flesh suggests corruption, vulnerability, fragility. Flesh is subjected to cold and heat, hunger and thirst, tiredness and sleep. Flesh has desires and passions. Flesh undergoes shock, trembling, and bleeding. But it also receives caresses and embraces, it receives warmth from fire and enjoys ocean breezes, it is anointed with perfumed oils and covered in linens. Flesh is not a reality to be considered only from a medical point of view or erotic passion. Flesh am I: my feelings, my reactions to the world in which I live, my earthly condition from which we try to protect ourselves or gnostically flee. Therefore, we speak of post-human or post-mortal man or society, following the ideal of the man-machine whose parts can be replaced or transformed. Perhaps we don’t realize that this worldview is subtly overpowering our minds, daily drawing us further away from the body of flesh of which we are made and which contains and cares for our truest self. Because it is the body that is the true subject of the spiritual life and there is nothing better than the mystery of the Incarnation to remind us of that and cause us to meditate on it. Let us not disdain the body; let us not be gnostic, or else along with the body we will also lose the spirit. The body of Jesus is placed in our hands for us to welcome and, with him, also welcome our own bodies with their history, wounds, emotions, and weaknesses. Bodies that ask us to care for them, not only by going to doctors, but also by deeply listening to them, living and savoring to its marrow the reality of our being in the world.

For this did God come into the world, for us to learn to be in him, in truth and grace, without evading but also without chains: free as only men who have learned to be genuinely human can be.

Merry Christmas!
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds