The Sisters of Carmel on Lent

 "Three Temptations of Christ" (detail), Botticelli

The Sisters of Carmel's Lenten newsletter arrived yesterday.  It contains a great deal of saintly wisdom regarding Lent.   Here is a sample, from Pope St. Leo the Great:

 

"Let there be an end to vengeance. Let offences be forgiven. Let harshness be changed to mildness, disdain to gentleness, discord into peace. Let us all make trial of being modest, let all be gentle, all be kind, so that our fasting may be pleasing to God. To Him we shall offer a true sacrifice of self-denial and devotion if we keep ourselves from all iniquity, being helped in all things by Almighty God, Who with the Son and Holy Ghost is One in Divinity, One in Majesty, forever and ever. Amen.”

You may view the Sisters of Carmel newsletter here.

Advent (Part 2)

                          Sanctuary Grille, Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts, Colorado Springs, CO

Here is more advice on a good Advent, from the Sisters of Carmel December newsletter (to subscribe click here):

"What is a good way to spend Advent?" ... [S]ince it is meant to be a time of prayerful preparation for Christmas, we can ... recommend a daily prayer devotion that will really mean something and bring the soul close to the mystery of Christmas. There is a very old custom—around 700 years old—of praying the Angelus three times each day: morning, noon and night. The Angelus (Latin for "angel") is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ ("... the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary ...") and is practiced by reciting as verse and response three Biblical verses describing the mystery; alternating with the Hail Mary (the angel Gabriel’s salutation to Mary). What better way to meditate on the coming of the Redeemer than this prayer, recalling the words of Holy Scripture and crying out for the assistance of the Virgin Mary, the one person who knew and understood best of all His presence in this world?"

The Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary...

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done to me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary...

V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Advice for Advent

                                              Carmelite Sisters chanting the Salve Regina

From the Carmelite Sisters' December newsletter (to subscribe click here):

"St. Gregory [the Great] . . . counsels on how to prepare for the coming of the Great Day of the Lord: "Reflect with all your mind upon this day, my dearest Brethren.  Remedy what is now defective in your present life. Amend your ways. Conquer evil temptations by standing firm against them.  Repent with tears of the sins you have committed.  For the more you make ready against the severity of His justice by serving Him in love and fear, the more serenely shall you behold the Coming of that Eternal Judge."

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.