HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREAT MOTHER OF GOD, MARY MOST HOLY!

Various | 09 08 03

[Cap'n Crunch]

'Listen and let it penetrate your heart, my dear little son. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need'?-Words of Our Lady to St. Juan Diago-Guadalupe 1531

Aquero came, and Bernadette saw her approaching this time from the recesses of the grotto. Her heart was beating wildly, but she was determined that the woman in white would identify herself this time. On the fourth attempt, the vision stopped smiling and joined her hands in prayer, raising her eyes to heaven. "I am the Immaculate Conception," the woman told her.-Words of Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous 1858

'I am the Lady of the Rosary', 'Pray the rosary, to obtain peace for the world.'-Our Lady at Fatima 1917

[Onelifetogive]

They take this date as being exactly nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is December 8th.

I'm guessing that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was established as exactly 9 months before the Feast of Our Lady's Nativity...

[GirlShortstop]

ROFL...     gone!!!

LOL... Praise the Lord!   I didn't want to waste brain power on a reply, can you tell?  :-)  
I hope fellow Religion Forum readers will forgive my "outburst".  FReegards.

[Litany]

Ave Maria bump

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/Loreto.htm

[GirlShortstop]

Remember in Indiana Jones where he gets ready to battle a bad guy with long knives, then rolls his eyes and just pulls out his gun and shoots him because it's easier?

ROFLOL!     Great analogy!!  Thanks.

[NYer]

Maybe we can celebrate both -- I suggest a huge ice cream Sundae with caramel topping and a few nuts (in honor of my inclusion of a few other selected Proddies in my team). The Carmellites can provide special music!

Thank you for reminding me to post the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. You should identify with her followers, Dr. Steve. Their Mother House is in Lacombe, Louisiana. I don't imagine you will find any "movers or shakers" amongst this group of devoted women. In fact, many lay catholics have chosen to follow the Carmelite life by joining the Third Order of Carmel.

Who Are We?

Identity and Charism

The Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, commonly called Sisters of Mount Carmel, is a Pontifical congregation of active Carmelite women who minister primarily in South Louisiana and in the Philippines. We belong to the Carmelite family and follow the Rule of St. Albert. Our Mother House in the United States is in New Orleans, Louisiana. A Regional House is located in Quezon City, Philippines. Our historical roots are in France. The Congregation was founded in New Orleans in 1833.

Albert's rule specifies only one work: a life of continual prayer. Carmelite prayer, a living in the presence of a loving God, is the beginning and end of zeal to discover, proclaim, and incarnate God's love. The special charism of the congregation is an orientation to a life of prayer and of service, in union with Jesus, in whom continual prayer and action coexist harmoniously.

Like our foundress, Julie Therese Chevrel, we strive to bring a Carmelite presence to the needs of the times. Each of us is missioned in the name of the congregation to minister in particular works of charity... in Christian education and in pastoral, social, and health care services.

[ from Constitutions, chap. 1 "Identity", art. 1-4]

The Vowed Life

In response to God's call, each sister makes a life-long gift of herself to Jesus Christ and to the church by profession of public vows of celibacy, poverty and obedience. Living a simple lifestyle in community, we support, challenge, and inspire one another to a life of prayer nourished by solitude and silence.

[ from Constitutions, chap. 1 "Identity", art. 5,6]

"...as if holding your heart in your hands,
present to God a whole-offering and holocaust
of all that you are...
do not reserve anything for yourself
but the sole desire to please God
and to love God at any cost."
-- Letter of Mother Therese Chevrel,     June 13, 1853.

[drstevej]

Lacombe is less than an hour from Baton Rouge.

[NYer]

Sounds like a pleasant drive ... one worth taking to learn more about these devoted servants of God. What a nice surprise it would be for these humble women if you showed up with a gallon of vanilla ice cream, and ... some caramel! This gesture would be a beautiful expression of ecumenism and graciously received by an order of women who normally sacrifice such pleasures.

Vocation Prayer
Creator God,
Life is your gift to me.
Through Baptism you invite me to share

the gift of my life in service to others.
I praise You for your goodness;
I thank You for your gifts.

God, bless your Church with love.

Raise up dedicated and generous leaders
from our families and from our friends
who will serve as sisters, priests, brothers and deacons.

Give me the courage and generosity

to ask You what you desire of me
and to respond to your love and to your call.

Send your Spirit to guide and strengthen me
that I may serve your people
in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ and in the love of your Spirit.
Amen.

[Titanites]

We tend to celebrate when pope's die, however.

I had to chuckle at this one.

[drstevej]

Cool idea. Just might do it. Do you have the address of the house?

[ELS]

Just wondering if July 16th is free from the clutter of lesser events.

Sorry, it is already spoken for. It's the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

[drstevej]

See post #57.

[katnip]

“It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos we magnify you.” — Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

[ELS]

Yeah, mea culpa. That's what I get for not reading the entire thread before replying. I had checked the replies to your initial question.

[drstevej]

I had to track it down too.

[CARepubGal]

What an excellent idea. Thanks!