CARMEL'S OWN

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

"Lectio divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by our Rule. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. In this way we shall put into practice the Apostle Paul’s commandment, which is mentioned in our Rule: “Let the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, live abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever you must do, do it in the name of the Lord.”
Carmelite Constitutions (No. 82

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The Mother of God
I am astonished that there are people that actually raise this question: “Should one or should one not call the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God”? Because if Our Lord Jesus Christ is God, how could the Virgin who gave birth to Him not be the Mother of God? This is the belief that has been passed down to us by the Holy Apostles, even if they did not use this specific term. This is the teaching that we have received from the Holy Fathers... The Blessed Virgin is truly the Mother of God since she supernaturally gave birth to the Christ, the Savior, who has taken on our flesh and our blood, and who on the human level, comes from the same substance as His Mother and ourselves. At the same time, He is on the divine, consubstantial level of God the Father, i.e. His substance is that of the Father and not "like" that of the Father.
St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Mary came to the Temple with Her Son
It was the day of the Purification of the Virgin. I was in Foligno, in the church of the Minor Brothers. I heard a voice speaking to me, "This is the time when Mary, Virgin and Queen, came to the temple with her Son." I listened with great love in my soul. And having listened, I was charmed. Then, in my rapture I saw the Queen enter, and I went up to her, trembling with respect. Suddenly I hesitated; I was afraid to go any closer. She reassured me and held Jesus out to me. She said, "You love my Son, so take the One that you love." She placed Him in my arms. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. His eyes were closed as if in sleep. The Queen sat down, as though she were very tired. Her gestures were so beautiful, her attitude was so marvellous, her entire person so noble and the sight of her was so sublime that my eyes could not remain fixed on Jesus alone, and were forced to look at His mother as well. Suddenly the child awoke in my arms, his clothes had come loose. Jesus opened His eyes and looked at me. His glance absolutely overwhelmed me. Splendor came out from His eyes and His joy shone like a blinding flame. Then He appeared to me in His unutterable and immense majesty, and He said to me, "The one who has not seen me small will not see me great." He added: "I came to you, and I give myself to you so that you offer yourself to me."
Blessed Angela de Foligny

Book of Visions and Instructions # 45

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen

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Saturday, January 1, 2011

A HAPPY and BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL

January 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011Lectio: Solemnity of the Mother of God
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Lectio: 2nd Sunday after Christmas
Monday, January 3, 2011
Lectio: John 1,29-34
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Lectio: John 1, 35-42
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Lectio: John 1,43-51
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Lectio: Epiphany of the Lord
Friday, January 7, 2011
Lectio: Matthew 4,12-17.23-25
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Lectio: Mark 6,34-44
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Lectio: The Baptism of the Lord
Monday, January 10, 2011
Lectio: Mark 1,14-20
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Lectio: Mark 1,21b-28
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Lectio: Mark 1,29-39
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Lectio: Mark 1,40-45
Friday, January 14, 2011
Lectio: Mark 2,1-12
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Lectio: Mark 2,13-17Sunday, January 16, 2011
Lectio: 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Monday, January 17, 2011
Lectio: Mark 2,18-22
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Lectio: Mark 2,23-28
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Lectio: Mark 3,1-6
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Lectio: Mark 3,7-12
Friday, January 21, 2011
Lectio: Mark 3,13-19
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Lectio: Mark 3,20-21
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Lectio: 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Monday, January 24, 2011
Lectio: Mark 3,22-30
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Lectio: Conversion of Saint Paul
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Lectio: Mark 4,1-20
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Lectio: Mark 4,21-25
Friday, January 28, 2011
Lectio: Mark 4,26-34
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Lectio: Mark 4,35-41
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Lectio; 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Monday, January 31, 2011
Lectio: Mark 5,1-20

Mary Walks with Her Son’s Priests
One of my earliest memories is of my mother teaching me the Hail Mary and explaining a picture of the Blessed Mother in a book of prayers. The memory has stayed with me. The sense of Mary’s presence in my life that began in that moment has stayed with me as well. As a child, I did not know or fully appreciate that Mary, the mother of Jesus, would be a steady and faithful companion to me on my spiritual journey. In retrospect, it makes all the sense in the world. As I studied theology and, more particularly, spirituality, I understood the communion sanctorum and Mary’s privileged place in that great communion. I can clearly say that she has walked with me as my faith has unfolded. She has been a most extraordinary companion in the course of my priestly ministry and life. (...) The words of Father Gerard Manley Hopkins in his poem, “The Blessed Virgin Compared to the Air We Breathe” express for me the wonder of her companionship: .... I say that we are woundWith mercy round and roundAs if with air: the sameIs Mary, more by name,She, wild web, wondrous robe,Mantles the guilty globe,Since God has let dispenseHer prayers his providence...

Rev. Louis J. Cameli,

in Behold Your Mother: Priests Speak about Mary,

Rossetti, Ave Maria Press, 2007, pp. 61 & 74.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.

Friday, December 24, 2010

CHRISTUS NATUS EST NOBIS!
VENITE ADOREMUS!
NATALE HILARE ET ANNUM FAUSTUM
25.XII.2010

FERNANDO PRIOR GENERALIS
DOMUSQUE GENERALIS COMMUNITAS

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL THAT BRINGS TO EACH AND EVERYONE THE PEACE, JOY, LOVE AND BLESSINGS THAT ONLY THE DIVINE BABE CAN BESTOW.

Hymn on the Night of the Nativity
Pure is the present night, in which the Pure One appeared, who came to purify us! Let our hearing be pure, and the sight of our eyes chaste, and the feeling of the heart holy, and the speech of the mouth sincere! The present night is the night of reconciliation; therefore, let no one be wroth against his brother and offend him! This night gave peace to the whole world, and so, let no one threaten. This is the night of the Most Meek One; let no one be cruel! This is the night of the Humble One; let no one be proud! Now is the day of joy; let us not take revenge for offences! Now is the day of good will; let us not be harsh. On this day of tranquillity, let us not become agitated by anger! Today God came unto sinners; let not the righteous exalt him over sinners! Today the Most Rich One became poor for our sake; let the rich man invite the poor to his table! Today we received a gift which we did not ask for; let us bestow alms to those who cry out to us and beg! The present day has opened the door of heaven to our prayers; let us also open our door to those who ask of us forgiveness! Today the Godhead placed upon Himself the seal of humanity, and humanity has been adorned with the seal of the Godhead!

Saint Ephraim the Syrian

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.