Displaying items by tag: Calendar of Feasts and Memorials

19 March Solemnity

Death is a mystery. For a Christian, according to Pope Francis, the good death is an experience of the mercy of God, who comes close to us even in that last moment of our life. According to Catholic tradition Joseph is considered the model of the pious believer who received grace at the moment of death.

During the early months of 2022, Pope Francis reflected on the person of St Joseph during his weekly General Audiences. During his audience on February 9, the pope spoke about this traditional devotion to St Joseph as the patron of a good death and the meaning of death in light of the Resurrection.

Although lacking any historical data, this tradition grew out of the idea that Joseph had died, “in the arms of Jesus and Mary,” before leaving Nazareth. After all, there is no mention of Joseph in Scripture after the Infancy Narratives, particularly the story of finding Jesus in the temple. So conventional wisdom holds that he died. In contrast, some eastern traditions made Joseph out to be 90 years old.

In the motu proprio, Bonum sane [July 1920], Pope Benedict XV wrote that that Joseph “is deservedly considered to be the most effective protector of the dying, having expired in the presence of Jesus and Mary” and then he pushed for pastors to support the pious associations established to implore Joseph on behalf of the dying. Associations at the time were “Of the Good Death,” “Of the Transit of St Joseph,” and “for the Dying.”

Referring to the 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Francis quotes him as saying “I am before the obscurity of death, at the dark door of death.” While our culture attempts to remove the reality of death and sanitize its aftermath, our Christian faith helps us to face it. It is through the Resurrection that our deaths take on meaning because “the light that awaits us behind the dark door of death” is Christ Resurrected.

To read more on St. Joseph, Principal Protector of the Order ...

29 January | Optional Memorial in the Italian Provinces

Bl. Archangela Girlani was born Elanor Girlani in 1460 at Trino, on Monte Ferrato in northern Italy to a noble family. Having her early education with the Benedictines, she had intended to become a Benedictine nun but on her way to the convent, her horse refused to take her there. She interpreted this as a sign and along with her two sisters, Maria and Frances (Scholastica), she took the Carmelite habit in the monastery of Parma in 1477 at the age of 17 where she took the name Archangela. She eventually became prioress of the monastery at Parma, and then prioress at the new foundation at Mantua from 1492 until her death. She was reported to have the gifts of ecstasies, levitation and miracles. She was often seen rapt in ecstasy while meditating on the mysteries of the faith.

It is written in an old manuscript that Blessed Archangela lived her religious life so intensely that, just as the monastery was entitled "Saint Mary in Paradise", she and the other nuns, even though still here on earth, lived as if already absorbed into heaven.

She became fatally ill in her third year as prioress of Mantua. Strengthened with the Sacraments and with her eyes fixed on an image of the Crucified Christ, she repeated her frequently uttered words, 'Jesus, my Love’ and peacefully gave up her soul on January 25, 1495. The religious honors which had been publicly rendered to her were examined by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, and approved by Pope Pius IX who granted that an Office should be recited in her honor.

PRAYER

Father in heaven,
you gave the virgin Blessed Archangela Girlani
particular dedication to the mystery of the eternal Trinity.
Through her prayers may we taste the delights of your glory already here on earth,
and look upon you for ever in heaven.
Through our Lord.

Read more on Bl. Archangela Girlani - Liturgy of the Hours

January 20th | Optional Memorial (Obligatory Memorial/Italian Provinces)

In a world known for its callous disregard for the poor and downtrodden, the example of Angelo Paoli is a refreshing breath of air. Angelo cared so well for his unfortunate brothers and sisters that he was known as “Father Charity” or “Father of the Poor.” Fortunately, he did more than just act as one kind individual he was an excellent motivator, who set many wheels of benevolence in motion at the dawn of the 18th century.

Read more ...

January 9 | Feast

Born in Florence at the beginning of the 14th century, he entered religious life in the Carmelite house in his native city. He was appointed Provincial of Tuscany in 1348 by the General Chapter meeting in Metz and the following year he was named bishop of Fiesole, near Florence. He governed his diocese well, becoming a model of charity and an eloquent preacher. He was distinguished by his zeal for the apostolate, his wise judgement and his love for the poor. He was admired and appreciated by everyone. Many people, rich or less well endowed, came to him as peacemaker after the many years of in-fighting and quarrelling which had ruined their families and their cities. He died on 6th January 1374 and was canonised on 29th April 1629.

For more on St. Andrew Corsini and his work

Books Available from Edizioni Carmelitane:

St. Andrew Corsini, Carmelite (c. 1302-72) A Documentary Biography Part I
     By Patrick Mullins, O. Carm.

St. Andrew Corsini, Carmelite (c. 1302-72) A Documentary Biography Part II
     By Patrick Mullins, O. Carm.

January 8th | Feast

Peter Thomas was a true Carmelite, not only in his relationship to Mary as the Queen and Decor Carmeli, but also in the way he lived his life according to the customs of the Order. However, his special commitment and concern was primarily for the unity of Christians. He constantly strove for reconciliation between the Church of Rome and the Orthodox Christians who had separated from the See of Peter in 1054. He developed an intensive apostolic activity as a peacemaker and defender of the popes. He always preached reconciliation. Miracles and extraordinary signs accompanied his eventful life.

A fresco created in 1880 by the Munich painter Max Fürst in the Carmelite church in Straubing shows St. Peter Thomas surrounded by confreres caring for the needy and giving communion to the sick. However, the painting also points to an essential characteristic of the saint's piety: his fervent devotion to Mary, who appears to him with the infant Jesus in her arms, accompanied by angels, and assures him of her protection and blessing. Tradition also credits him with writing a treatise on the Immaculate Conception of Mary (De Immaculata Conceptione BMV). Four volumes of his sermons have also been preserved.

In 1366, his chancellor and friend Philippe di Mézières, of whom he was also a spiritual director, wrote the biography of Petrus Thomas. Noted Carmelite historian, Joachim Smet, edited the Latin text from hitherto unpublished manuscripts. (The introduction and notes are in English.) 

For more on St. Peter Thomas and his work, click here

Books Available from Edizioni Carmelitane:

The Life of Saint Peter Thomas by Philippe de Mézieres (Latin)
     Introduction and Notes by Joachim Smet, O. Carm.

The Bollandist Dossier (1643) on St. Peter Thomas, O. Carm.
     Edited and translated by Patrick Mullins, O. Carm.

The Revised Bollandist Dossier (1659) on St. Peter Thomas, O. Carm.
     Edited and translated by Patrick Mullins, O. Carm.

Pope Francis Declares 16 Carmelites Killed During French Revolution as Saints

In a decree published on December 18, Pope Francis declared 16 Discalced Carmelite nuns executed by guillotine during the French Revolution as martyrs. The Church did not use the usual process for the creation of a saint but by a rare process known as “equivalent canonization.” This process recognizes the long-standing veneration of the martyrs.

Pope Francis approved placing Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and 15 other members of the Discalced Carmelites of Compiègne killed during the French Reign of Terror in the canon of saints. Two years after the French revolutionary government outlawed religious life in 1790, the community of Discalced Carmelites in Compiègne was forced to leave their monastery. In 1794, they were discovered to have continued living in community as consecrated women. They were tried and publicly executed by guillotine on July 17, 1794. As they moved towards martyrdom, they sang hymns of praise.

The story of these nuns inspired Francis Poulenc’s 1957 opera Dialogue of the Carmelites which was based on the book by the same name by Catholic novelist Georges Bernanos.

The pope recognized the heroic virtues of five others as well, including Archbishop Eduard Profitlich, a Jesuit, who died in a Russian prison in 1942; Salesian Elia Comini; the layman Pierre Goursat, founder of the Emmanuel Community; Áron Márton of Romania; and Giuseppe Maria Leone from the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

To read more ...

14 December Feast

Saint John was born, probably in 1540, in Fontiveros, near Avila in Spain. His father died when he was very young and he had to move with his mother from one place to another, while he tried as best he could to continue his education and, at the same time, to earn a living. In Medina in 1563 he was clothed in the Carmelite habit and, after a year's novitiate, was given permission to follow the unmitigated Carmelite Rule. 

He was ordained priest in 1567, after studying philosophy and theology at Salamanca, and, in the same year, he met Saint Teresa of Jesus who, a little while before, had obtained permission from the Prior General Rossi to found two communities of contemplative Carmelite Friars (later called the Discalced) in order that they might help the communities of nuns that she had established. A year later - during which he travelled with Teresa - on the 28th November 1568, John became part of the first group of Reformed Carmelites at Duruelo, changing his name from John of St. Matthias to John of the Cross.

To read more on the life of St. John of the Cross ...

For more on John of the Cross and His Eucharistic Spirituality ...

Publications by Edizioni Carmelitante available at the Webstore 

5 December Optional Memorial

Christ Is Truly 'God With Us'

From the encyclical letter of Pope Paul VI, The Mystery of Faith

IN A MOST SUBLIME manner, Christ is present in his Church as she offers in his name the sacrifice of the Mass. He is present in her as she administers the sacraments. But there is yet another manner in which Christ is present in his Church, a manner which surpasses all the others; it is his presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which is for this reason “a more consoling source of devotion, a more lovely object of contemplation, a more effective means of sanctification than all the other sacraments.” The reason is clear: it contains Christ himself and it is “a kind of perfection of the spiritual life; in a way, it is the goal of all the sacraments.”

This presence is called “real”—by which it is not intended to exclude all other types of presence as if they could not be “real” too—but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, the God-Man, is wholly and entirely present.

Moreover the Catholic Church has held on to this faith in the presence in the Eucharist of the Body and Blood of Christ, not only in her teaching but also in her practice, since she has at all times given to this great Sacrament the worship which is known as Latria and which may be given to God alone. The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers the cult of Latria to the Sacrament of the Eucharist, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving Consecrated Hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to solemn veneration, and carrying them processionally to the joy of great crowds of the faithful.

In the ancient documents of the Church we have many testimonies of this veneration. The pastors of the Church, in fact, solicitously exhorted the faithful to take the greatest care in keeping the Eucharist which they took to their homes.

It is to be desired that the faithful, every day and in great numbers, actively participate in the sacrifice of the Mass, receive Holy Communion with a pure heart, and give thanks to Christ our Lord for so great a gift.

In the course of the day the faithful should not omit to visit the Blessed Sacrament, which according to the liturgical laws must be kept in the churches with great reverence in a most honorable location. Such visits are a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and acknowledgment of the Lord's presence.

No one can fail to understand that the Divine Eucharist bestows upon the Christian people an incomparable dignity. Not only while the sacrifice is offered and the sacrament is received, but as long as the Eucharist is kept in our churches and oratories Christ is truly the Emmanuel, that is, “God with us.” Day and night he is in our midst, he dwells with us full of grace and truth. He restores morality, nourishes virtues, consoles the afflicted, strengthens the weak. He proposes his own example to those who come to him that all may learn to be, like himself, meek and humble of heart and to seek not their own interests but those of God.

Anyone who approaches this august Sacrament with special devotion and endeavors to return generous love for Christ's own infinite love, will experience and fully under-stand-not without spiritual joy and fruit-how precious is the life hidden with Christ in God and how great is the value of converse with Christ, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road of holiness.

Further, you realize, venerable brothers, that the Eucharist is reserved in the churches and oratories as in the spiritual center of a religious community or of a parish, yes, of the universal Church and of all of humanity, since beneath the appearance of the species, Christ is contained, the invisible Head of the Church, the Redeemer of the World, the Center of all hearts, “by whom all things are and by whom we exist.”

From this it follows that the worship paid to the Divine Eucharist strongly impels the soul to cultivate a “social” love, by which the common good is given preference over the good of the individual. Let us consider as our own the interests of the community, of the parish, of the entire Church, extending our charity to the whole world, because we know that everywhere there are members of Christ.

To read more on the life of Bl. Bartholomew Fanti ...

29 November Optional Memorial

Truly Deny Yourself and Carry the Cross of Christ

If anyone wishes to follow my way let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For he who wants to save his soul must lose it, and he who for my sake loses it will gain it. Oh! Would that there were someone capable of making spiritual people understand, practice and taste the meaning of the advice to renounce ourselves, given by Our Lord so that they would understand how different the way to behave on this path is from what most of them believe! Some are convinced that any kind of retreat and reformation of life is enough, others are content to practice the virtues in some way, to devote themselves to prayer and to practice mortification, but neither of them achieves the naked poverty, abnegation or spiritual purity, which are one and the same, recommended by Our Lord. For they are still concerned with nourishing and clothing their nature with spiritual consolations and feelings rather than stripping and depriving it for the sake of God of everything.

In doing so, they become spiritually enemies of the cross of Christ, for the true spirit seeks in the Lord more the bitter than the sweet, inclines more to sufferings than to consolations, feels impelled for the sake of God more to renunciation than to the possession of every good, tends more to barrenness and afflictions than to sweet communications, knowing well that only in this way does one follow Christ and renounce oneself, and that to act otherwise is to seek oneself in God, which is very contrary to love. If man resolves to bear this cross, that is, if he resolves steadfastly to go seeking and to endure for the Lord travails in everything, he will find in this great relief and great suavity.

In no way does one progress except by imitating Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except by Him. And the way consists in dying to nature.

To read more on the life of Blessed Denis and Redemptus (OCD) ...

19 November Optional Memorial in the province of Poland

Raphael of St. Joseph (in lay life: Joseph Kalinowski) was born at Vilna to a Polish family on 1st September 1835 and died at Wadowice on 15th November 1907. He took part in the rising against the Czarist occupying forces in Poland, accepting the position of Minister of War in Vilna.

In 1877, Raphael joined the Carmelites. He was ordained priest in 1882 and began an apostolate centred on the confessional, in the giving of spiritual direction and being full of enthusiasm for ecumenism, he worked strongly for unity in the Church.

To read more on the life of St. Raphael of St. Joseph (OCD) ...