The practice of contemplation is not only the source of our spiritual life; it also determines the quality of our fraternal life and of our service in the midst of the people of God. Carmelite Constitution - 18.

God, heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent. By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit.

"All bear their crosses although these crosses be different. If a person wants to gain freedom of spirit and not always be troubled let him begin by not being frightened by the cross. Then he will see how the Lord helps him carry it." ~ St. John of the Cross s.5

 

---

Lord, during this Lenten Season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer.

On 19 March the episcopal ordination of Fr. Wilmar Santin, O.Carm. was celebrated in the stadium “Ginásio de Esportes Noroestão” of the Brasilian city of Paranavaí, Paraná. Fr Wilmar is a member of the of the Commissariat of Paraná of the Upper German Province and was recently appointed bishop of the Territorial Prelature of Itaituba, in Brazil.

The three consecrating bishops were the Archbishop emeritus of Curitiba, Dom Pedro Fedalto, the bishop of Petrolina Dom Paulo Cardoso, O.Carm., and Dom Edson Taschetto Damian, the bishop of São Gabriel da Cachoeira. In addition, many other bishops concelebrated, including Carmelites Dom Antonio Muniz and Dom João José Costa, as well as many members of the commissariat of Paraná, the provinces of Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, and numerous diocesan priests.

The Prior General, Fr Fernando Millán Romeral and the Prior Provincial of the Upper German Province, Fr Dieter Lankes, O.Carm., both addressed the bishop at the end of the celebration, encouraging him to live his ministry with the gospel spirit of service and with the simplicity of the Carmelite charism.

Pope begins retreat, encourages Lenten battle against evil  

None of the brothers must lay claim to anything as his own, but you are to possess everything in common; and each is to receive from the Prior - that is from the brother he appoints for the purpose - whatever befits his age and needs. Carmelite Rule 12.

Father of love, source of all blessings,

help me to pass from my old life of sin

to the new life of grace.

Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom.

I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You

and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.

The Gospel here places no words in the mouth of your mother. And you, too, my Jesus speak not a word. Your silence is eloquent. ~ Bl. Titus Brandsma

Father, our source of life,

I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand;

let me walk more readily in Your ways.

Guide me in Your gentle mercy,

for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.

Those who know how to say the canonical hours with those in orders should do so, in the way those holy forefathers of ours laid down, and according to the Church’s approved custom. Carmelite Rule - 11.

Lord, during this Lenten Season,

nourish me with Your Word of life

and make me one

with You in love and prayer.

A 'scientia crucis' can be gained only when one comes to feel the cross radically. The entire sum of human failures can be blotted out by the expiation of the cross. ~ St. Edith Stein

God, heavenly Father,

look upon me and hear my prayer

during this holy Season of Lent.

By the good works You inspire,

help me to discipline my body

and to be renewed in spirit.

"Jesus lavishes his crosses as the most certain mark of his tenderness, for He wills to make you like Him. So why be afraid of not being able to carry the cross without weakening?" ~ Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

 

God, heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent. By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit.

Without You I can do nothing. By Your Spirit help me to know what is right and to be eager in doing Your will. Teach me to find new life through penance. Keep me from sin, and help me live by Your commandment of love. God of love, bring me back to You.

Each of you, to weigh his words in; keep a tight rein on your mouths, lest you should stumble and fall in speech, and your fall be irreparable and prove mortal. Carmelite Rule. 21.

Dear Lord Jesus,

by Your Passion and Resurrection

You brought life to the world.

But the glory of the Resurrection

came only after the sufferings of the Passion.



You laid down Your life willingly

and gave up everything for us.

Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross,

Your clothing became the prize of soldiers,

your blood ebbed slowly but surely away,

and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple.