Thursday of the third week of Lent
Your brother B., and whoever may succeed you as Prior, must always keep in mind and put into practice what our Lord said in the Gospel: Whoever has a mind to become a leader among you must make yourself servant to the rest, and whichever of you would be first must become your bondsman. Carmelite Rule 22
"Lord, I place myself into Your loving hands, let me not waken in the morning without praising Your goodness to me, or go to sleep at night without thanking You for the completion of the day. Keep me, Lord, ever in Your presence, help me to keep You ever in my thoughts, words and deeds."
Wednesday of the third week of Lent
"O Jesus, let me weep for myself, for I am nothing but dry wood to be cast into the fire. But you give new life to the dry wood by grafting it onto the wood of the cross." ~ Bl. Titus Brandsma.
"Lord Jesus, help me to kneel and ask for success in all I do even though You know my needs. Let me become like the little child asking the Father for His gifts. Help me to understand that You are only waiting to be asked. Today, dear Lord, I ask for Your blessing to improve my situation and that through it I may glorify You in all I do.
Tuesday of the third week of Lent
You must give yourselves to work of some kind, so that the devil may always find you busy; no idleness on your part must give him a chance to pierce the defences of your souls. Carmelite Rule 20
"Lord Jesus, I give You my hands to do Your work, I give You my feet to go Your way, I give You my eyes to see as You do, I give You my lips to speak Your words, I give You my spirit that You may pray through me, I give You my mind that You may think through me, I give You my heart that You may love through me. I give You my whole self that You may use and bless me in all I do. I ask Your blessing in my daily endeavours that they may be for Your Glory"
Monday of the third week of Lent
The values of contemplation - when lived faithfully in the midst of the complex events of daily life - make Carmelite brotherhood a witness to the living and mysterious presence of God among his people. Carmelite Constitution - 18
"Lord, I know You are with me today in all my adversities, my sorrows and pain. You have said: "Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, Knock and the door will be opened unto you." Today, dear Jesus, I ask, I seek and I knock. Help me now to be able to hand all over to You and to accept the outcome. Not my will be done but Thine."
Sunday of the third week of Lent
"When you walk in the dark night and in the emptiness of spiritual poverty, you will think that everyone and everything is failing you — including God. But nothing is failing you." ~ St. John of the Cross s.7
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....
Saturday of the second week of Lent
You other brothers too, hold your Prior in humble reverence, your minds not on him but on Christ who has placed him over you. Carmelite Rule 23.
Lord, during this Lenten Season, fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.
Friday of the second week of Lent
"Jesus is not alone on the way of the cross. Today, as then, not only are there adversaries, but there are those who assist him. Representative of those who love Him and wish to assist Him is Veronica." ~ St. Edith Stein
God of love, bring me back to You. Send Your Spirit to make me strong in faith and active in good works. May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness, open my heart to Your love, and prepare me for the coming feast of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Thursday of the second week of Lent
Since man’s life on earth is a time of trial, and all who would live devotedly in Christ must undergo persecution, and the devil your foe is on the prowl like a roaring lion looking for prey to devour, you must use every care to clothe yourselves in God’s armour so that you may be ready to withstand the enemy’s ambush. Carmelite Rule 18.
Lord, 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.
Wednesday of the second week of Lent
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.
Tuesday of the second week of Lent
"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.
