Category Archives: Carmelite Saints

Carmelite Saints, Faith, Martyr

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Titus Brandsma, Feast Day July 27

Bl. Titus Brandsma Public Domain Image
St. Titus Brandsma

The Feast Day of St. Titus Brandsma is celebrated on July 27.  He is the patron saint of journalists and the press.   His birth name was Anno Sjoera Brandsma. He was born on Feb. 23 in Fries land, Netherlands. Titus grew up in a small farming village. St. Titus knew from an early age that he had a religious calling. He applied to join the Franciscans but was turned down due to health. On Sept. 17, 1898 he joined the Carmelites. He took the name of Titus which was his father’s name. He took his first vows in 1899 and was ordained in 1904.  St. Titus earned a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Roman Gregorian University.

St. Titus Brandsma taught at the Catholic University in Nijmegen. He was also a journalist and writer. He wrote against the Nazi propaganda which caused the Socialists to notice him. The Gestapo watched him closely after the invasion of the Netherlands. He was arrested on Jan. 19, 1931 for declaring Nazism was not compatible with the Christian faith. He was abused in prison for several weeks.

St. Titus Brandsma was deported to the Dachau concentration camp in June 1931. Although he was severely mistreated he asked fellow prisoners to pray for the guards. He wrote many reflections while in prison. When he was no longer able to work the Nazis used him for medical experimentation.

On July 26, 1931 St. Titus Brandsma was killed from a lethal injection. Before he died he gave his Rosary to the doctor who killed him. The nurse who assisted the doctor returned to the faith because of his witness to Christ.

St. John Paul II beatified Titus Brandsma on Nov. 3 1985.  Pope Francis canonized Titus Brandsma a saint on May 15,2022.

They who want to win the world for Christ
must have the courage to come into conflict with it.
Quote of Bl. Titus Brandsma
July is the Month of The Most Precious Blood.
Carmelite Saints, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Rose Chretien, Feast Day July 17




compeigne-holy-card
Martyrs of Compiegne

The Feast Day of Bl. Rose Chretien is celebrated on July 17.  It is also the Feast of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne.  She was born near Eureaux, France in 1741.

Bl. Rose married at a young age and soon became a widow.  She decided to join the Discalced Carmelite Order and became a choir nun.  At her profession in 1777 she took the religious name of  Sister Julia Louise of Jesus.

Bl. Rose is considered one of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne.  The sixteen Carmelites were imprisoned along with English Benedictine nuns.  The Carmelites were condemned as traitors and sentenced to death by guillotine.  As they were martyred, one by one, they renewed their vows and chanted the hymn Veni Creato Spiritus which was the hymn sung at their ceremony professing their vows.

Several days after their deaths, the persecution called the Reign of Terror led by Robespierre came to an end.  The English Benedictine Nuns credited the Carmelites with ending the bloodbath and saving their community.

The Carmelite Sisters were buried in a common grave at Picpus Cemetery with a single cross where 1306 other victims of the guillotine were buried.

Those who do something for the glory of God are not troubled by failure, because they have already achieved their pupose of pleasing God, by acting with a pure intention.
Quote of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Feast day August 1
July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood

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Carmelite Saints, Feast Days, Our Lady, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Feast Day July 16




Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Public Domain Image
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is celebrated by the Catholic Church on July 16. It is on this day in about 1386 that Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock. She gave him a Brown Scapular saying,

“Take, beloved son this scapular of thy order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire.”

The scapular symbolizes Mary’s protection and reminds those wearing it of the call to prayer and penance. It stands for a commitment to follow Jesus and imitate Mary as the perfect model of all disciples of Christ.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Public Domain Image
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Public Domain Image

A chapel was built near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) which was dedicated to Our Lady. The hermits living there became known as the “Brothers of Mount Carmel”.  St. Simon Stock was a leader of the Carmelite Order. The Carmelites have a special devotion to Mary. Their saints and theologians have a special devotion to her and the mystery of the Immaculate Conception (the belief that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin).  St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and St. Terese of Lisieux are well known Carmelite saints.

Mt. Carmel is located north of Jerusalem along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a well known mountainous ridge in Palestine which is covered with caves. Hermits lived in the caves, living a life of solitude and prayer. Mt. Carmel is mentioned in the Old Testament many times.

The history of the Carmelites dates back to ancient times. It is believed to have been founded by the prophets Elijah and Elisha. The Carmelite Order is a contemplative order. Their spirituality follows the contemplative spirit of Elijah, living a spiritual life of contemplation and prayer. One of their goals is to “find God in the silence’. The rule of the Carmelites was written by St. Albert Avogadro in 1214.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
The feast celebrates the appearance of Mary to St. Simon Stock.It is a special feast day for those who have a special devotion to Mary and wear the Brown Scapular. The Apparition of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587.  The feast celebrates the appearance of Mary to St. Simon Stock.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Public Domain ImageOur Lady of Mt. Carmel

Blessed is he for whom Mary prays.
Quote of St. Peter Julian Eymard; Feast day August 2
July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood.

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elisha, Feast Day June 14




St. Elisha Public Domain Image
St. Elisha

The Feast day of St. Elisha is celebrated on June 14.   St. Elisha was a prophet in the ninth century.  His Hebrew name means “God is Salvation”.

St. Elisha was called to follow the prophet Elijah, his mentor, when Elijah cast his mantle on him indicating that he was to be his successor.  As Elijah ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha asked for a double portion of St. Elijah’s spirit.  The spirit he received enabled him  to protect the faith.

St. Elisha was known for many miracles.  He divided the waters of Jordan.  He made the water from the Jericho Spring fit to drink.  He saved a poor widow from death by increasing the oil in her vessel.  He raised a child back to life after death.  He healed a Syrian officer from leprosy by having him bathe in the Jordan seven times.

St. Elisha continued the devotion begun by Elijah to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  He is considered a patron saint of the Carmelite Order.  According to tradition, Elijah had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The title of Mary “Star of the Sea” is believed go have originated with this vision.

St. Elisha died from old age at Samaria.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?
Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast day July 31
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Our Lady, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Simon Stock, Feast Day May 16




St. Simon Stock Public Domain Image
St. Simon Stock

The Feast Day of St. Simon Stock is celebrated on May 16.

Little is known about the early life of St. Simon Stock. Legend has told us that from the age of twelve he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk. As a young man he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There, he joined a group of Carmelites. They returned together to Europe.

St. Simon was elected Superior General of his Order in London in 1254. St. Simon founded many Carmelite Communities in Cambridge, Oxford, Paris and Bologna. He was instrumental in the transition from a hermit Order to an Order of mendicant friars.

In 1251 he experienced an apparition during a time when the order was being oppressed. The Virgin Mary appeared to him holding the brown scapular in one hand. She told him,

“Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is a special sign of my favor which I have obtained for thee and thy children of Mt. Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger and a pledge of special peace and protection.”

The scapular is made of two squares of cloth connected by strings. It is worn over the shoulders, one on the chest, one on the back.

The promise from the Virgin Mary is believed to mean that Carmelites who live their vocation well, with love and sincerity will be saved. It is a reminder that Mary is their role model in love. The Carmelite Order is a contemplative Order which focuses on contemplative prayer. Mary leads those in the Carmelite Order to a deeper love of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist and the Beatitudes. The role models for the Carmelite Order are the Virgin Mary and the prophet Elijah. It was Elijah who heard the voice of God in the whisper of the gentle breeze.

St. Simon Stock was known to have a special gift of miracles and prophecy. St. Simon Stock. died on July 16, 1265 in Bordeaux, France.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience,
but shouts in our pain.
It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
Quote of C.S. Lewis

May is the Month of Mary

Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Marie of the Incarnation, Feast Day April 18

Bl. Marie of the Incarnation
Bl. Marie of the Incarnation

The feast day of Bl. Marie of the Incarnation is celebrated on April 18.

Bl. Marie of the Incarnation was born in 1566 in France. Her name at birth was Barbe Aurillot. She was the daughter of a French government official and educated at the Poor Clare Abbey at Longchamp. She married Pierre Acarie at the age of 16. They had six children; three became Carmelites and one became a priest.

Her husband supported the Catholic League which opposed Henry IV.  Barbe suffered greatly after their estate was seized when Henry became King. Barbe went to court reclaiming part of the family fortune. Barbe had a devotion to the writings of St. Teresa of Avila. She was instrumental in bringing the Discalced Carmelites into France.

Widowed at 47, Barbe became a Carmelite lay sister in 1613 taking the name Mary of the Incarnation. Her spiritual advisor was St. Francis de Sales and she was a friend to St. Vincent de Paul. She was known to have visions, ecstasies and the gift of reading hearts.

At the age of 27 Bl. Marie received the stigmata.
Bl. Marie died on April 18, 1618 of natural causes. Many miracles were reported after her death.

Put away all worry and anxiety and receive the holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ fervently…in memory of Him.

Quote of St. Francis of Assisi; Feast day Oct. 4
April is the Month of the Eucharist
Bl. Marie of the Incarnation in Art

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Bl. Maria Restituta
Bl. Marie of the Incarnation

Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Teresa of Los Andes, Feast Day April 12




St. Teresa of Los Andes
St. Teresa of Los Andes

The Feast Day of St. Teresa of Los Andes is celebrated on April 12.

St. Teresa of Los Andes was born in Santiago, Chile in 1900. Her name at birth was Juana Enriqueta Josephina. She had three brothers and two sisters. As a child she was proud and strong willed. However, at the age of ten as she studied for her first communion she was transformed into a pious child.She acquired Apostolic zeal speaking out about her love of Christ.

At the age of 14, St. Teresa decided  to become a Carmelite nun. She entered into the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Los Andes on May 7, 1919, taking the name Teresa of Jesus. She was inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux.

St. Teresa of Los Andes

The Lord revealed to her that she would die at a young age. One month before her death she told her confessor that she would soon die. She contracted typhus at the age of twenty before taking her final vows. During her life she wrote many letters sharing her spiritual life with people. St. Theresa died in 1920 during Holy Week at the age of 10. She is Chile’s first saint.

St. Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

We live for Jesus alone. Just as the angels in heaven incessantly sing His praises, so does a Carmelite echo those praises here on earth, whether near to the tabernacle where God who is Love lives imprisoned, or in the intimate depths of her soul’s heaven, where faith tells her God dwells. Our vocation’s objective is love, the greatest thing a human heart can possess. This love is a bonfire where the soul is consumed and made one with her God. That blazing fire permits nothing to stand in its path……..How beautiful our vocation is!
Quote of St. Teresa of Los Andes
April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Maria Candida, Feast Day March 21




Bl. Maria Candida

The Feast Day of Bl. Maria Candida is celebrated on March 21.   Maria Barba was born in Cantanzaro, Calabria. She was raised in Palermo, Sicily.

From the time of her first communion at the age of ten, Maria had a great devotion to the Eucharist. Her devotion grew when she read The Story of a Soul by a Carmelite nun, St. Thérèse of Lisiuex. At the age of 15 she wished to join a religious order, but her parents resisted. It was more than twenty years before her wish came true. Five years after the death of her mother she joined the Carmel of Ragusa in 1919, taking the name Maria Candida of the Eucharist. On April 23, 1924 she made her solemn profession as a Carmelite Nun. Within 6 months she became prioress of the Monastery.

As prioress Bl. Maria Candida worked diligently to revive the spirit of their foundress, St. Teresa of Jesus among the nuns of the monastery. The community grew under her leadership, making it possible to begin a new foundation in Syracuse.

Bl. Maria Candida shared her love of the Eucharist in the book she wrote: Eucharist; True Jewel of Eucharistic Spirituality.

Bl. Maria Candida of the Eucharist died from liver cancer in 1939 on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

 

 

Our Lord does not come from Heaven every day to stay in a golden ciborium.  He comes to find another heaven, the heaven of our soul in which He loves to dwell.
St. Thérèse of Lisiuex; Feast day October 1

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Incorruptables, Sacred Heart, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Teresa Margaret Redi, Feast Day March 11




St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart.jpg6
The feast day of St. Teresa Margaret Redi is celebrated on March 11.  

 

Anna Maria Redi was born on July 15, 1747 into a large pious family in Florence, Italy. From an early age she was drawn to God. She was sent to a Benedictine boarding school at the age of nine. The nuns noticed her love of the Blessed Sacrament. She learned to meditate at a young age. Rather than seeking attention she preferred to go unnoticed and spend time alone. After meeting someone who was about to make a profession as a Carmelite, she had a spiritual experience and decided she too wanted to become a Carmelite.

 

At the age of 17 she entered the Carmelite convent, taking the name Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart. She advanced quickly in her spirituality. She was able to focus both on the contemplative prayer life and serving her community. She worked among the sick and as an assistant sacristan. She was very penitential; sleeping on the floor and living a very disciplined life. Several miracles are believed to have happened while she was working with the sick.

One Sunday, while in the choir, she had a mystical experience in which God revealed the deeper meaning of the Love of God. It transformed her knowledge of God. She tried to always offer a smile and serene attitude no matter what the situation. She believed that God would be found if God alone was sought. To love her neighbor, she decided to sympathize with their troubles, excuse their faults, always speak well of them and never willingly fail in charity, in thought, word or deed.

St. Teresa Margaret did experience the Night of the Spirit. She no longer received consolations from God and greatly feared offending God. She was greatly tempted by despair. It is believed she had a premonition regarding her death. Although she was very healthy, she probably died from a strangulated hernia. It was misdiagnosed as colic.

St. Teresa Margaret died on March 7, 1770 at the age of 22. She died holding her crucifix in her hands invoking the names of Jesus and Mary, otherwise suffering in silence.

The burial of St. Teresa Margaret was delayed because her body did not begin to decay. In fact, a sweet perfume was noticed  coming from the crypt (underground burial place). She was buried 18 days after her death and her body still had not decayed. Miracles were immediately reported after her death. Her incorrupt body was transferred on the Feast of the Sacred Heart to the nuns choir in the Carmel of Florence.

 

Always receive with equal contentment from God’s hand either consolations or sufferings, peace or distress, health or illness. Ask nothing, refuse nothing, but always be ready to do and to suffer anything that comes from His Providence.

 

Quote of St. Teresa Margaret Redi

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

St. Teresa Margaret Redi in Art



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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Our Lady, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Children of Fatima, Feast Day Feb. 20

The Feast Day of the Children of Fatima is celebrated on Feb. 20.

In 1917, an angel and Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children in < Portugal.  Jacinta (7 years old) and Francisco (9 years old) were brother and sister.   Lucy Dos Santos (14 years old) was their cousin. Jacinta and Francisco both died several years after the apparitions.

Francisco was born on June 11, 1908. During the apparitions Francisco could see but not hear what was being said. He had a great love of praying before the Blessed Sacrament. He also had a great devotion to praying the rosary. He received his first communion on the day of his death, April 4, 1919.

Jacinta was born on March 11, 1910. Jacinta could both hear and see what was said during the apparitions. She was profoundly affected when Our Lady told her that Jesus was very offended by sin. After seeing a vision of hell, she decided to offer herself completely to the salvation of souls. She offered to free souls from the fires of hell. A year after the apparitions she came down with bronchial pneumonia, an abscessed lung and then was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She offered all of her suffering to Jesus. She was rushed to a hospital in Lisbon. The Blessed Virgin visited her there three times. She died without the presence of her parents or Lucy on Feb.20, 1920.

Lucy was born on March 22, 1907. After the apparitions Our Lady told her that her cousins would soon be in heaven and that Lucy should spread the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady said,

“My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way which will lead you to God.”

It was Lucy who requested a miracle so people would believe in the apparitions. During the investigations surrounding the apparitions, Lucy was harassed. She entered the Sisters of St. Dorothy as Sister Mary of the 0px Later she became a Carmelite Sister taking the name Sister Maria Lucia. She had several more visions of Our Lady. Lucy died on Feb. 3, 2005, at the age of 97.

During the apparitions in Fatima three secrets were revealed to the children.

1.  After being promised, they would go to heaven the children saw a vision of hell which was filled with fire and demons.

  1.   Mary instructed the children how to save souls from Hell and convert the world to Christianity. She asked them to spread the devotion to the Immaculate Heart and to pray the Rosary. She asked them to pray for Russia.

  2.   The children had a vision of the assassination of the Holy Father.

Many believe the third secret was a prophecy of the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II canonized Francisco and Jacinta Marto on May 13, 2000.

If men knew the meaning of eternity,
they would do anything to mend their lives.
Quote of St. Jacinta of Fatima
February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord.
Carmelite Saints, Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Andrew Corsini, Feast Day Feb. 4

St. Andrew Corsini

The Feast Day of St. Andrew Corsini is celebrated on Feb. 4.  St. Andrew Corsini is the patron saint against riots and disorder.

St. Andrew Corsini was one of twelve children. He was born in Florence, Italy on Nov. 30, 1302 to a powerful family. Although he lived a wild life, his mother influenced his conversion. He decided to become a Carmelite priest. In 1349 he was named Bishop of Fiesole. It was a position he resisted at first but served for twelve hears.  Pope Urban V sent him to Bologna to settle disputes between the nobles and common people. It was a successful mission.

Bishop Corsini served the poor with compassion. He preached love and harmony. As much as was possible he lived the life of a Carmelite. He was known for reforming the clergy, stressing the need for the priest to be educated properly. He also insisted that the priest reside in their parish. Many church buildings were restored by the Bishop including the cathedral.

St. Andrew Corsini died on Jan. 6, 1374. There were reports of many miracles of healing and conversion during his lifetime. He was canonized by Pope Urban VIII on April 29, 1629.

St. Andrew Corsini 2

Prayer is … a mine which is never exhausted …
It is the root, the fountain,
the mother of a thousand blessings.
Quote of St. John Chrysostom; Feast day September 13
February is the Month of the Passion of Our Lord

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Spirituality

The Spirituality and Prayers of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Gallery

St. Therese of Lisiuex

 

Thérèse was born in Alencon, France in 1873. She suffered from the death of her mother, due to breast cancer, at the age of four. Her family then moved to Lisieux. At a young age she wished to follow her sisters, Pauline and Marie, into the convent but was denied due to her age. However, in 1888 she entered the Carmel of Lisieux. On Sept. 8, 1890 she made her religious profession as a Carmelite.

Because of her love and prayers for the missions St.Thérèse is the patron saint of missions. She is also the patron saint of gardeners and florists. Thérèse of Lisieux was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. She is the youngest Doctor of the Church.

St. Therese of Lisiuex 3

St. Thérèse is also known as the Little Flower. She saw herself as a flower in the garden of God. Calling herself “the little flower of Jesus” she wanted to give glory to God by just being herself among all the other flowers in Gods garden.

The health of St. Thérèse was poor. She suffered grief when her father died and also contracted tuberculosis. She suffered much pain but offered her suffering for ‘the poor sinners’. Her great desire was to save souls. “My mission…to make God loved….will begin after my death”, she said. “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses.” She also said, “I want to suffer and even rejoice for love, for this is my way of scattering flowers. Never a flower shall find but its petals shall be scattered for you, and all the while I will sing, yes sing, even when gathering my roses in the midst of thorns, and the longer and sharper the thorns may be, the sweeter shall be my song!”

The following quote shows her spirituality:

“The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word and the doing of the least action for love.”

Her spirituality is known as “The little way”. She trusted in Jesus to make her holy and focused on doing small deeds daily rather than great deeds.

Her autobiography “The Story of a Soul” has led many pilgrims to her ‘little way’.

St. Thérèse was only 24 when she died of tuberculosis. After her death she was canonized a saint on May 17, 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Pope John Paul II declared her a doctor of the Church in 1997. Her writings have led many souls closer to God.

The following prayers were written by St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

St. Therese of Lisieux Public Domain Image St. Therese of Lisieux

 

PRAYER OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX

Yes, all is well when we seek only the will of Jesus!

All my strength lies in prayer and sacrifice. They are my invincible weapons, and I know, by experience that they can soften the heart as much as words.

More than ever, I understand that the smallest events of our life are conducted by God; He is the One who makes us desire and who grants our desires.

St. Therese of Lisieux Public Domain Image St. Therese of Lisieux

 

A MORNING PRAYER

 

O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity.

Amen.

St. Therese of Lisieux Public Domain Image St. Therese of Lisieux

 

MY SONG OF TODAY

Oh, how I love thee, Jesus! My soul aspires to Thee. And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!

Come reign within my heart, smile tenderly on me.

Today, dear Lord, today.

St. Thérèse

St. Therese of Lisieux Public Domain Image St. Therese of Lisieux

 

 

MAY TODAY THERE BE PEACE

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

St. Thérèse

St. Therese of Lisieux Public Domain Image St. Therese of Lisieux

 

 

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL CHILDHOOD

 

Lord, give me the open heart of a child. Let me come trustingly to you, not afraid to ask for your love.

.Deliver me from the belief that I am self-sufficient. Show me my need of you.

Give me the grace to reach out to you, Lord give me a child’s’ simplicity and a sense of wonder.

May my enthusiasm for you never die. Let me hasten to converse with you in the intimacy of prayer. Give me discernment to realize there is no detail of my life too tiny for your concern.

Help me to perceive your glory in the helplessness of the cross.

Son of God, who for my sake, took on the dependency of childhood, help me to accept the readiness of the Father’s grace.

Amen



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