Our Lady of Mount Carmel| Daily Meditation| Daily Quote by S. Padre Pio| Divine Mercy
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Both Calendars
Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726 it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.
St. Teresa of Avila (October 15) called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” St. John of the Cross (December 14) credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus (October 1) believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion, she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.
There is a tradition (which may not be historical) that Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.
Comment:
The Carmelites were known from early on as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” The title suggests that they saw Mary not only as “mother,” but also as “sister.” The word “sister” is a reminder that Mary is very close to us. She is the daughter of God and therefore can help us be authentic daughters and sons of God. She also can help us grow in appreciation of being sisters and brothers to one another. She leads us to a new realization that all human beings belong to the family of God. When such a conviction grows, there is hope that the human race can find its way to peace.
Quote:
“The various forms of piety toward the Mother of God, which the Church has approved within the limits of sound and orthodox doctrine, according to the dispositions and understanding of the faithful, ensure that while the mother is honored, the Son through whom all things have their being (cf. Colossians 1:15–16) and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell (cf. Colossians 1:19) is rightly known, loved and glorified and his commandments are observed” (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 66).
Patron Saint of:
Chile
Daily Meditation
Shining Example:
We need to be more aware of the power of our good examples and our personal contacts—even something as seemingly insignificant as our smile.
Quote by S. Padre Pio:
If all men could only understand the extreme wretchedness and dishonor from which God's omnipotence hand has rescued us.
Divine Mercy
Reflections on Notebook Three: 189-236
We continue now to the third notebook that Saint Faustina filled with messages of Mercy from our Lord. As you enter into this notebook, pause and reflect upon all that you have read so far. Has it changed your perspective on life? Has it changed you? If it has, then continue down that same path and trust that the Lord will continue to do great things in your life. If it has not, reflect upon why!
Sometimes we need more than the words we read. We also need true prayer, deep prayer and what we may call “soaking prayer.” Consider this as you read through the reflections flowing from this notebook and allow the words to not only enter your mind, but to also enter deeper. Read them prayerfully and carefully. Speak to our Lord as Saint Faustina did. Read some more of her actual diary in addition to these reflections and learn from her humble and childlike faith.
The Lord wants to do great things in your life! Open the door, through prayer and reflection, and let Him in!
Reflection 197: I Thirst
“I thirst.” These two simple words have so much meaning. They were spoken by our Lord from the Cross. A soldier tried to offer some comfort by offering Him a sponge soaked in wine-vinegar to satiate Him. The wine turned to vinegar is a symbol of the soul turned sour from sin. After taking this sour wine Jesus cried, “It is finished!” And then He died. What does Jesus thirst for? He thirsts for you, a sinner. He does not turn away from you on account of your sins and the effect that they have had on your soul, He thirsts for you anyway. He thirsts for your love. He wants you to satiate His thirst by loving Him as you are despite your sins. Pay no attention to foulness of your soul as a result of your sins. Our Lord was satisfied with the wine turned vinegar so as to say that He is satisfied with you coming to Him in your fallen condition (See Diary #1032).
Reflect upon the image of the Crucifixion. Ponder Jesus hanging there, broken and suffering. In this state of great humiliation, Jesus cries out to you to bring comfort to His suffering. He seeks your love. Will you give it to Him? Can you offer Him yourself so as to enable Him to cry out that it is finished? It is finished when you love Him and give your life to Him. Go to our Lord this day in prayer, and tell Him you love Him and desire to spend this life with Him and on through eternity. In that act, you will quench His thirst.
Lord, I thank You for thirsting for me in the midst of Your own suffering and pain. Thank You for giving Your life to me, without reserve, as You hung upon the Cross. Your love is the only thing that will ultimately satiate my thirsting soul. Give me the grace I need to come to You, in my brokenness and sin, so as to offer You all that I have for Your thirst. I love You, dear Lord, help me to love You more. Jesus, I trust in You.