*First Congress of the Carmelite Family of Brazil in Aparecida, São Paulo*The Carmelite Family of Brazil gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida for a meeting marked by spirituality, fraternity, and the experience of consecration to Carmel. It was two days of strengthening Carmelite spirituality to continue the mission in the world with ardor in our hearts, encouraged and confident.*/“Climb the mountain to contemplate and descend the plain to evangelize.” /*/Dom Orlando Brandes, ...Continue Reading

Bl. Isidore Bakanja, martyrAugust 12 | Optional MemorialToday the Order comes together to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Church's recognition of the holiness of this Congolese Catholic who would not give up his scapular.Isidore Bakanja was born in Bokendela (Democratic Republic of Congo) around 1885. Leaving his village, he moved to Mbandaka, where he was baptized on May 6, 1906 and confirmed a few months later, on November 25, 1906. He was heavily influenced by the witness of the Trappist missionaries, cultivati ...Continue Reading

 Celebrating at Home: Being Prepared, Remaining Faithful19th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSometimes in life we find ourselves captivated by a particular cause or project and devote great enthusiasm and passion to it. As time goes on, however, we can find that our enthusiasm fades and our passion cools. Other things begin to take priority. Like last week’s Gospel, being prepared and remaining faithful is the focus of this week’s Gospel passage. Luke’s community (and other early Christians) were slowly growing used to ...Continue Reading

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyrAugust 9 | Memorial (Feast in Europe: Co-Patroness of Europe Edith Stein was born at Breslau on 12th October 1891 to German Jewish parents. During her years at university and teaching, she read the autobiography of Teresa of Avila and became aware of being called to become a Catholic; she was baptized on 1st January 1922. After her conversion, she felt herself attracted to the religious life but circumstances forced her to delay this decision until 1933. When ...Continue Reading

  St. Albert of Trapani, priestAugust 7 | Feast Born in Trapani (Scilia) in the 13th century. He distinguished himself for his dediction to mendicant preaching and the notoriety of his miracles.Read more  From The Fiery Arrow of Nicholas of France, prior generalThe Wonderful Variety of Religious Families.There are three general practices to which our profession obliges us: obedience, chastity, and the renunciation of ownership. These are common to the profession of all Orders. As far as ...Continue Reading

 Celebrating at Home: False Security18th Sunday in Ordinary TimeWe look for ways to protect ourselves and what we own against life’s adverse events. It is not only a problem for wealthy people like the rich man in the Gospel today. It can be a problem for all of us. We seem to have an instinctive need to build a sense of security by amassing goods and wealth.A strong focus in the Luke’s Gospel is that nothing is more destructive of life and humanity than the need to acquire, hold on to and increase wealth. The prob ...Continue Reading

 The Monastery of Our Lady of Maravillas in Madrid, Spain Celebrated Its Elective Chapter July 24-25On July 24-25, 2025, the Carmelite nuns of the monastery of Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas in Madrid, Spain, held their elective chapter.The monastery was founded by Joanna de Baraona in 1612 as a place for pious women to gather in order to practice Christian perfection. With the help of Antonio Pérez, prior provincial of the Castille Province, the beateria became an official Carmelite monastery with its rec ...Continue Reading

 August  –  Agosto – Agosto 2025 ENGLISH | ESPAÑOL | ITALIANODownload English: ocarm.org/en/prayer/lectiodivina Descargar Español: ocarm.org/es/prayer/lectiodivina Scarica Italiano: ocarm.org/it/prayer/lectiodivinaENGLISHLECTIO DIVINA - August 2025[*]Lectio Divina August 2025 [Pdf] (1021 KB)[*]Lectio Divina August 2025 [ePub] (491 KB)[*]Lectio Divina August 2025 [Mobi] (322 KB)  If you wish to receive updates on current news from the Carmelite Order, subs ...Continue Reading

 The Monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto, Philippines  Celebrates Elective ChapterOn Friday, June 9, 2025, the Carmelite community of the monastery of the HOly Family in Guiguinto (Philippines) held their elective chapter under the presidency of the Bishop of Malolos, Dennis C. Villarojo.During the Chapter, the nuns confirmed that their activites are ordained in and subordinate to contemplation. The decision was made to form a community centered in the presence of Christ among us and whose relationships ...Continue Reading

  St. Titus Brandsma, priest and martyrJuly 27 | Memorial Before a Picture of Jesus in My Cell                            St. Titus Brandsma, O. Carm.                                Scheveningen Prison  |  February 1942A new awareness of Thy love Encompasses my heart: Sweet Jesus, I in Thee and Thou In me shall never part.No grief sh ...Continue Reading