Carmelite Priory’s ‘Golden Book of the Holy Souls’
November is a month the Church dedicates to prayerful remembrance of 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. The greatest of these prayers 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.
You can also participate in the mass celebrated at the Priory for your intention that is live streamed on weekdays (except Monday) at 6:00 pm, and on weekends at 11:00 am here.
‘The God who Cries’: Christmas Retreat with the Carmelites
A retreat titled ‘The God who Cries’ in preparation for the celebration of the nativity of the Lord will be preached by the friars at Carmelite Priory, Boars Hil, Oxford, from Friday, December 12, to Sunday, December 14. This residential retreat is designed to facilitate an intimate encounter with God by exploring the Romances of St. John of the Cross, focusing on a God who desires humanity, shares in sorrow, and transforms lives with love. The programme will include guided talks, silent meditation, contemplative prayer and reflective journaling. Participation is limited to 15 people to ensure a personal and deeply contemplative experience.
To learn more, please click here.
Carmelite Chants to the Divine Office – Advent Series
We are delighted to announce the upcoming release of a beautiful online audio series featuring Carmelite chants for the Lauds and Vespers of Advent. Whether you are beginning your day at home with morning prayer or commuting through traffic, these recordings invite you to join the ancient rhythm of the Divine Office, praying the hours as the friars do. The soul-stirring melodies create a contemplative space wherever you are – in your living room, your car or even on a walk – allowing this Prayer of the Church to permeate your Advent season with spiritual richness and depth.
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 read the latest edition online or subscribe to the print edition, please click here.
Foundations of Prayer – Lecture 9
The ninth lecture in the Foundations of Prayer Course, on the theme, “The Breath of the Spirit: The Power of Liturgical Prayer” will take place on Saturday, November 29 @ 7:00pm. This session explores the role of liturgical prayer and its capacity to bring us into the communal heart of the Church animated by the Spirit.
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.
Share the Mission of Love the Christmas: Christmas Card Campaign
Christmas is about the God who comes close – entering our world and our hearts. In Jesus, God comes on a mission to us, giving us His very best, the Divine Child, to awaken in us hope, love and generosity. This same divine mission inspires the missionary work of the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS), made possible by friars who have left their home countries to share the love of Christ through their presence and service, transforming hearts and bringing the hope of the Gospel to the people we serve. Through our Christmas card campaign, you are invited to partner with us in this mission of love, supporting the formation of friars in their home provinces and helping sustain the ongoing work of the priory and CACS.
If you would like printed Priory Christmas cards to send to your family and friends, you can order them now here and receive them in time for posting.
If you feel inspired this Christmas to donate directly to our Mission Appeal, you can do so here.