For the Carmelite, after the Holy Bible, the most important document in our lives is the Rule of St. Albert. Despite being the shortest rule of all the religious orders with under 1,500 words it has nevertheless been a bedrock for Carmelite life in all its facets for 800 years. St. Albert, whose feast day we celebrate today, was a brilliant mind who managed to fashion tremendous wisdom in such a compact text. Of all ...

On July 26, 1942, 75 years ago, Titus Brandsma, a soft spoken professor and one of our Carmelite brothers, was murdered by the Nazis for his courageous resistance to their genocidal agenda. Titus embodied the Gospel message and lived his life with a radical spirit which is one of the reasons he is so special. People of all faiths have much to learn from Titus, what his sacrifice represents on the 21st century ...

What happened at the end of Mary’s life? Did she die, or was her dormition (her “falling asleep”) which is one and at the same time her assumption? In his promulgation of the Assumption in 1950 on the Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1), Pope Pius XII declared “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”. There are neither biblical ...

“[From] prayer is born good works and good works alone.” St. Teresa of Avila In our spiritual founders, Mary and Elijah, Carmelites recognize models of prophetic action that have been nourished and guided by prayer. The call to be a prophetic contemplative is as relevant in the days of the prophet Elijah as it is today. As our constitutions state: “Carmelites seek the face of the living God through fraternity, and through service in the midst ...

Loving God, your servant, Titus Brandsma, laboured zealously in your vineyard and gave his life freely because of his faith in you. Through his intercession I ask for your mercy and help. Father, Titus never refused when he was asked for help by your people. In his name, I come to you with my needs: (mention requests.) Lord, help me always to imitate the great faith, generous love, and burning zeal of Titus Brandsma. Glorify ...