Carmelite Priory’s ‘Golden Book of the Holy Souls’
As we stand on the threshold of November, a month the Church dedicates to prayerful remembrance, our hearts and minds turn towards the Suffering Church – i.e., our brothers and sisters who have passed from this world and are yearning for the beatific vision. To pray for a soul, to have a Mass offered for them, is never a small or insignificant act. It is a great work of mercy, performed with love, that has immense value in the eyes of God. We “scatter flowers,” as Thérèse would say, of our prayers and sacrifices for our departed loved ones.
The greatest of these prayers, the highest act of love and mercy the Church can offer, is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is here that heaven and earth truly touch, and the communion between us, the Pilgrim Church, and the Suffering Church is most fully realised. In this spirit, you are invited to entrust your beloved deceased – your parents, relatives, and friends – to the infinite mercy of God celebrated at our altar. By enrolling their names in our Priory’s Golden Book of the Holy Souls, their intentions will be placed at the foot of the altar and included in every Mass we offer throughout November. You are welcome to offer a Mass stipend if you feel so moved.
To enrol, please click here.
Autumn Edition of Beacon
The Autumn edition of Beacon was released on October 15, dedicated to the theme of ‘Friendship’. As the editor Fr Clement explains, “Of all the titles Jesus could have chosen for His disciples, He settled on the most profound: friends. ‘I no longer call you servants,’ He declares, ‘I have called you friends, because I have “made known” to you…’ (John 15:15). This declaration radically reframes our relationship with the divine and one another. The human heart is wired for connection, for the deep-seated need to know and be known. This edition weaves together contributions from a place of intimacy, exploring the multifaceted and grace-filled reality of friendship. Our contributors remind us that this longing is at the heart of spiritual life.”
Beacon, a quarterly magazine of the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS), focuses on the insights and reflections rooted in Carmelite spirituality that serve to guide the journeying soul on the way of perfection. This issue lights the path to a place of spiritual growth and wholeness, through a life-transforming friendship with God, central to Carmelite spirituality. It is indeed a feast for the soul, empowering its readers to adopt a contemplative approach to life, in their ministries and careers.
To request your free copy, click here. To subscribe to the PRINT edition, use the form at the bottom of that webpage.
Feast of St Elizabeth of the Trinity
“I have found my heaven on earth, since heaven is God, and God is in my soul.” These beautiful words from the Carmelite saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, whose feast we celebrate on November 8th, reveal her joyful discovery that changed everything. Born in France in 1880, Elizabeth was a talented pianist who felt called to religious life from childhood. At 21, she entered the Carmelite monastery in Dijon. Elizabeth shows us that we don’t have to wait for heaven; it begins right now, in this moment, because God lives within us. This young Carmelite nun died at only 26, but her short life blazed with love and happiness found in God’s presence. For Carmelites, she is a shining example of their prayer-filled life. Elizabeth offers us all an irresistible invitation: stop looking far away for God when He is already closer than your own heartbeat. She teaches us to live as “praise of glory,” finding joy even in difficult times by staying aware of God dwelling in our souls. Elizabeth makes the Trinity feel personal and real, not distant or complicated. Her message is simple and hopeful: you are a walking temple, carrying divine love wherever you go.
If you desire to know more about the exemplary life of St Elizabeth of the Trinity, Jennifer Moorcroft’s book “He is my Heaven: The Life of Elizabeth of the Trinity” is a good read.
Foundations of Prayer – Lecture 8
On Saturday, November 15 at 7:00pm will be the eighth lecture in the Foundations of Prayer Course, on the theme, “Praying the Psalms.” This session explores the Psalms as a school of prayer. Their poetic beauty, emotional honesty, and theological depth help us give voice to our inner experience before God and root our prayer in the shared faith of God’s people.
The Foundations of Prayer is an online course that forms part of the Deepening Prayer Series run by the School of Prayer at the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS). The course invites participants to explore the richness of Christian prayer and deepen their spiritual lives through engaging teachings, practices, and reflections. It is designed for those who feel called to grow in intimacy with God, guided by the wisdom of the Carmelite tradition. Each session offers insights, practices, and an opportunity for personal reflection, aiming to cultivate a deeper connection to God and a richer prayer life.
For further information, , please click here.
Feast of All Carmelite Saints
The Feast of All Carmelite Saints, celebrated on November 14th, honours the many holy men and women of the Carmelite Order throughout history. For Carmelites, this day celebrates their spiritual family – saints like Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of Lisieux, along with countless other unknown and unnamed friars, cloistered nuns and lay Secular Carmel members who lived lives of deep prayer and service to God. The feast reminds all Christians that everyone is called to become holy. It highlights the Carmelite focus on prayer, closeness to Mary, and seeking God in silence and community. It encourages all of us to ‘ascend to Mt Carmel’, by following the example of these faithful witnesses who showed the path to holiness.
Elizabeth Ruth Obbard’s book offers a brief summary of the well-known Carmelite holy men and women in her book “Saints of Carmel”.