Carmelite Vocation

Carmelites of Dumaguete

O.Carm

I asked Fr. Sulistya (https://twitter.com/#!/fshpocarm) about difference between an O.C.D. and O.Carm. 

Me: What's difference between O.C.D. and O.Carm?

Actually between O.Carm and OCD there is no differences. Both OCD and O.Carm are Carmelite. We use the same Rule (Saint Albert Rule), but we are using difference constitution. OCD is a member of Familia Carmelitana. OCD means : Ordo Carmelitarum Discalcetorum or bare feet Carmelite. They (OCD) became independent group in 16th century. At that time the rligious life was really bad (all orders and congregations). No wonder at that time a lot of good religious wanted to reform their religious life, for example Saint Peter Alcantara with the Fransiscan and Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross with the Carmelite.

Actually Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross had no intention of founding a new Order. They just wanted to reform the life Carmelite life. Anyway, their followers especially Nicholas oria and Jerome Gratia misinterpreted the intention of both of the Saints. So in 1590's Nicholas Doria declared to separate their group (OCD) as an independent Order. Actually the declaration OCD as a independent group happened after Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross passed away. Saint Teresa and Saint John still remain as O.Carm.

Both of us OCD and O.Carm right now become separate Order, but both of us still have strong conection in many aspecs, for example the liturgy of the hour, saints, Rule, spirituality and so on. Hopefully it'll make you clear about OCD and O.Carm. 

Fr. Francis Sulistya, O.Carm 

Where is the love?

"There is no commandment greater than these."

Mark 12:30-31

“You shall love"

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
~ 1 John 4:18

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 
~1 Corinthians 13:4 


Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
~ Proverbs 10:12

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
~1 John 4:7

Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
~1 Thessalonians 4:9

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
~Romans 13:10

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
~John 13:35

"Love them anyway"

"Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbor- it will work wonders."
~St. Anthony Mary Claret (from his autobiography).

"We can cure physical diseases with medicine but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more who are dying for a little love. Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So spread love everywhere you go."
~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Justice itself, and justice even more than any other divine perfection, seems to me to be clothed in love."

"I must anticipate the desires of others; show that we are much obliged, very honored to be able to render service. The good Lord wants me to forget myself in order to give pleasure to others."

“I know of no other means to reach perfection than by love. To love: how perfectly our hearts are made for this! Sometimes I look for another word to use, but, in this land of exile, no other word expresses so well the vibrations of our soul. Hence we must keep to that one word: love.”
~St Therese

When the soul asserts that the flame of love wounds it in its deepest center, it means that insofar as the Holy Spirit reaches its substance, power, and strength, he assails and wounds it.
~St. John of the Cross
"Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love? "
~Bishop Sheen

“Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.”
~St. Augustine

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Dear Lord:

Because love is patient:
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen, hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.

Because love is kind:
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please" and "Thank You" because those little things still mean so much.

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud:
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.

Because love is not rude or self-seeking:
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I'm tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there's a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs:
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth:
Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.

Because love always protects and always trusts:
Help me to be a refuge for those around me.When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

Finally, because love always perseveres:
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. AMEN.

"Father Father Father help us 

Send some guidance from above

Cause people got me got me questioning 

Where is the love?"

~Black Eyed Peas

God LOVES You

My Mother, My Queen

VENI CORONABERIS

The Fifth Glorious Mystery

THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

You are all fair, and without blemish. You are a garden enclosed, my sister, my Bride, and enclosed garden, a sealed fountain. Veni Coronaberis: “Come: you shall be crowned” (Song of Songs 4:7, 12 and 8)

If you and I had been able, we too would have made her Queen and Lady of all creation.

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman with a crown of twelve stars upon her head, adorned with the sun and the moon at her feet (Rev 12:1) Mary, Virgin without stain, has made up for the fall of Eve: and she has crushed the head of hell’s serpent with her immaculate heel. Daughter of God, Mother of God, Spouse of God.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit crown her as the rightful impress of the Universe. And the Angels pay her homage as her subjects…and the patriarchs and prophets and apostles…and the martyrs and confessors and virgins and all the saints…and all sinners and you and I.

~St. Josemaria Escriva

AVE REGINA CAELORUM

Hail, Queen of Heaven, beyond compare,

To whom the angels homage pay.

Hail, Root of Jesse, Gate of light

That opened for the world’s new Day.

Rejoice, O Virgin unsurpassed,

In whom our ransom was begun,

For all your loving children pray

To Christ our Savior,  and your Son.

"When you follow Mary you will not go astray; when you pray to her, you will not despair; when your mind is on her, you will not wander; when she holds you up, you will not fall; when she protects you, you will have no fear; when she guides you, you will feel no fatigue; when she is on your side, you will arrive safely home…She keeps her Son from striking us; she prevents the devil from harming us; she preserves virtue in us; she prevents our merits from being lost and our graces from receding." (Saint Bernard).

You are indeed, the most Beautiful Queen! Teach me your ways O Holy Queen, I am all yours. Draw us ever closer to your beloved son. Help us to become what you want us to be. “To you I come, before I stand, sinful and sorrowful.” Look down in kindness O most Glorious queen, while before your throne we stand.

Regina Angelorum Queen of Angels

Regina Patriarcharum Queen of Patriarchs

Regina Prophetarum Queen of Prophets

Regina Apostolorum Queen of Apostles

Regina Martyrum Queen of Martyrs

(Martyrs of Compeigne)

Regina Confessorum Queen of Confessors

(Seven Founders of the Servite Order, Confessors)

Regina Virginum Queen of Virgins

(St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi)

Regina Sanctorum omnium Queen of all Saints

Regina sine labe originali concept Queen conceived without original sin

Regina in caelum assumpta Queen assumed into heaven

Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii Queen of the most Holy Rosary

Regina Familiae Queen of the Family

Regina Pacis Queen of peace

SALVE REGINA!

Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy, hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus!

O Clement, O Loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

Remember, O Creator Lord !

That in the Virgin's sacred womb

Thou wast conceived, and of her flesh

Didst our mortality assume.

Mother of grace, O Mary blest!

To thee, sweet fount of love, we fly;

Shield us through life, and take us hence To

thy dear bosom when we die.

O Jesu! born of Virgin bright,

Immortal glory be to Thee;

Praise to the Father infinite,

And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.

Mama, Our Most Blessed Mother, We love you! Thank you Mama. Nothing compares to your infinite love and kindness. Lord Jesus we thank you  for your Mother whom you have bestowed on us. “Behold your Mother” John 19:27

“O my mother, how unconscious I am of your beautiful solicitude and motherly care for me. I acknowledge it with my mind; I profess is as my faith, but how little I realize it. When sufferings come and anxieties arise, I imagine that I must face them alone and so I get upset. How easy they would be to bear if I only saw you there beside me, knowing that you understand, knowing that you care and suffer it with me. The same with my joys. How much more wonderful they would be if I told you about them and saw the interest in your face, the love in your eyes! It isn’t just imagination; it’s real.

O Mary, help me to know and realize your all-embracing love and sympathy. And let me have all the trust and filial affection for you that you deserve. I renew once more my act of total devotion to you. Take whatever is good in me to use as you will for God’s glory.”

Ave Maria!

Devotional Reading - Dr. James Houston

on Devotional Reading by Dr. James Houston 

(Fr. the Book~St. Teresa of Avila edited by J. Houston)

"In Christ we also discover that it is not God's personhood that is vague and intangible. It is our own personalities that are incoherent, bitty and inadequate."


Awakening...

"...we find that life consists of a number of progressive awakenings. When we first study seriously, we are excited by the awakening of our mind's activity to reasoning and understanding in our world. We awaken again in the experience of taking responsibility for our lives when we have to be decisive about major acts or decisions. We awaken also when we are acted upon suffering. For pain is a great awakener to realities that had previously slumbered in our lives. But it is the awakening to the love of God that transcends all other forms of human consciousness"

Today we are in grave danger of politicizing our faith, organizing it to death, and making it a cold ideology. We need once more to stand still and to see God. Then we shall begin to live again more like a child of God than like an entrepreneur before men.

Deep emotions will be reopened.
Memories will begin to be healed.
The imagination will be redirected.
And whole new possibilities will open out of dead-end streets.
Hope will succeed despair
Friendship will replace alienation

For we wake up one morning and discover we really are free to fall in love with God

He quoted from a medieval scholar monk ~(on the fourfould meaning of the Scriptures)


"The letter (Scripture) shows us what God and our fathers did;
The allegory shows us where faith is hid;
The moral meaning gives us rules of daily life; The analogy shows us where we end our strife."


So open the windows of your soul in meditative reading...as Paul prays,
"exceeding abundantly, above all that we can ask or think."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"tolle, lege" ("take up and read")

"Everyone knows the great influence that is exerted by the voice of a friend who gives candid advice, assists by his counsel, corrects, encourages and leads one away from error. Blessed is the man who has found a true friend; he that has found him has found a treasure. We should, then, count pious books among our true friends. They solemnly remind us of our duties and of the prescriptions of legitimate discipline; they arouse the heavenly voices that were stifled in our souls; they rid our resolutions of listlessness; they disturb our deceitful complacency; they show the true nature of less worthy affections to which we have sought to close our eyes; they bring to light the many dangers which beset the path of the imprudent. They render all these services with such kindly discretion that they prove themselves to be not only our friends, but the very best of friends. They are always at hand, constantly beside us to assist us in the needs of our souls; their voice is never harsh, their advice is never self-seeking, their words are never timid or deceitful."

~ Pius X

"I took (the epistles of Paul the Apostle), I opened, I read in silence; it was as though the darkness of all my doubting was driven away by the light of peace which had entered my soul."

~St. Augustine of Hippo

Blessed Pedro Calungsod

YOUNG MISSIONARIES OF GOD

      

St. Therese who is the Patroness of the Missions
desired to be a missionary and martyr.

‘In spite of my littleness, I would like to enlighten souls as did the Prophets and the Doctors.

I have the vocation of the Apostles.I would like to travel over the whole earth to preach your Name and to plant you glorious cross on infidel soil. But…one mission alone would not be sufficient for me, I would want to preach the Gospel on all the five continents simultaneously and even to the most remote isles. I would be a missionary, not for a few years only, but from the beginning of creation until the consummation of the ages.

~(The Story of a Soul : the Autobiography of St. St Thérèse of Lisieux) 

“O Jesus, I ask but Peace. . . . Peace, and above a

ll, Love. . . .Love—without limit. Jesus, I ask that for Thy sake I may die aMartyr; give me martyrdom of soul or body. Or rather give me both the one and the other.~Story of a Soul Chap 8

Here is a young missionary,
 a martyr...
a "SOLDIER OF CHRIST"


Blessed Pedro Calungsod

"Blessed Pedro Calungsod Song"

There was once a lad from the Visayas

Left his land in search for graceless souls

He Spread God's words with lips untiring

He is the servant of the Lord

Chorus:

O Blessed Pedro Calungsod

Faithful Child of God

Be to us a guide

Lead us to the light of Jesus Christ

O Blessed Pedro Calungsod

Our young inspire in the darkest hour

Look down on us from where you are

Steadfastly you walk where Jesus trod

Never mindful of what's left behind

We entrust the young to your watchful care

Walk with them and never leave their side

You chose to die with Padre Diego

But your faith in God remains undying

Be to us a true companion

When at the end death closes in

(repeat chorus)

http://www.coycebu.org/

Prayer to Blessed Pedro Calungsod

Blessed Pedro Calungsod,

student, catechist, young migrant,

missionary, faithful friend, martyr,

you inspire us

by your fidelity in times of adversity;

by your courage in teaching the faith

in the midst of hostility;

and by your love in shedding your blood

for the sake of the Gospel.

Make our troubles your own

(here mention your request)

and intercede for us

before the throne of Mercy and Grace

so that,

as we experience the help of heaven,

we may be encouraged to live

and proclaim the Gospel here on earth.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD

O God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, graciously grant the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, if it be for the greater glory of your Name and for the good our souls. AMEN.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be.

Gozos ni Beato Pedro Calungsod

(Visayan)

Who is Blessed Pedro?

Blessed Pedro Calungsod (c. 1654[1] – April 2, 1672) is a Filipino Roman Catholic martyr who was killed while doing missionary work in Guam in 1672. He was beatified on March 5, 2000, by Pope John Paul II. As a skilled sacristan, he was a companion of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores to the Marianas Islands. Through their efforts, many receive the sacraments especially that of baptism. A plot to kill Pedro and San Vitores started when a certain Choco, a Chinesewho gained influence over the Macanas of Marianas Island, circulated false accusations that the missionaries were spreading poison through the ritual of the pouring of water (i.e. baptism), and through the ritual of Catholic Masses. 

BEATIFICATION

Pope John Paul II beatified both Father Diego Luis de San Vitores (October 6, 1985) and Pedro Calungsod (March 5, 2000) at Saint Peter's Square in Rome.

Pedro was beatified along with other 43 servants of God.[2] About Pedro, the Pope said:

(...) From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his call. Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist. Leaving family and friends behind, Pedro willingly accepted the challenge put to him by Fr Diego de San Vitores to join him on the Mission to the Chamorros. In a spirit of faith, marked by strong Eucharistic and Marian devotion, Pedro undertook the demanding work asked of him and bravely faced the many obstacles and difficulties he met. In the face of imminent danger, Pedro would not forsake Fr Diego, but as a "good soldier of Christ" preferred to die at the missionary's side (...)

~Wikipedia

THE LIFE OF BLESSED PEDRO

The Philippine Islands were discovered by Spain by explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. But it was in 1570 that Miguel de Legazpi that a Spanish settlement was built and the capital became Manila.

Through the influences of the Spanish Religious, many of the Filipino people were baptised into the Catholic Faith. The Philippines remained under Spanish control until the year 1815.

It was in 1655 that a young man was born, Pedro Calungsod, he lived for a time in the Visayas region, and it was here that the Jesuits touched this young man's heart.

And it was with the Jesuit Priests that the young Pedro learnt the Faith that he embraced with all his soul. He grew to love the Jesuit teachers and also reached out to his community as the more he learnt the more he wished to share with others.

Where Pedro lived could also prove to be very inhospitable, to those who wished to evangelise the region. They had to go through jungles and traverse huge cliffs as well as rivers and always with the threat of typhoons.

The Missions were doing well in teaching the Catholic Faith and baptising whole families into the Catholic Church, but wherever God's work is being done, there would be those who would try and disrupt this Mission and to try and destroy the Catholic Missionaries. One was a Chinese trouble maker, who planted stories among the villagers that the water used for Baptism was poisonous. This brought great fear to the village people as infant mortality was high due to unsanitary living conditions.

This lie would herald in a period of persecution to the Missions and those who supported the Catholic missionaries, such as the young Pedro, who truly loved and lived his Faith with great devotion towards our Blessed Mother.

But the persecutions were still thriving in the hearts of those who embraced the idea that the Catholics were to blame for anything that went wrong in their villagers and also if any sickness befell families. These erroneous ideas were able to gain a foothold due to the remaining superstitions that remained within many Filipino villagers.

Into this hotbed, the young Pedro who was about 17 years old and a Priest Diego De San Vitores travelled to the village of Tomhom on the island of Guam. And it was here upon hearing that a young baby was near death, both Pedro and Fr. Vitores requested that the baby be baptized this unfortunately began a sequence of events that would lead to a tragedy.

For the baby's father, Matapang had become an apostate and now denied the religion he had once embraced. And while Matapang tried to enlist other villagers to kill the Priest and his helper the young Pedro, it was during this absence that Fr. Vitores decided to baptize the young baby without the permission of Matapang.

Upon his return, Matapang was enraged that his wife had permitted the Baptism of his child, and took out his rage on Fr. Vitores and the young Pedro by hurling spears at them both. Pedro being so young was able to avoid getting hit by the spears but he refused to run and leave Fr Vitores behind. It was then that one of spears struck Pedro and he fell to the ground, where upon Pedro was hacked to death. Father Vitores as one of his last acts gave Pedro Absolution before he too was murdered.

Upon the death of these two holy men, both their bodies were mutilated and the Cross they wore was also desecrated by the enraged Matapang!


~source

http://faithofthefatherssaints.blogspot.com/2005/11/blessed-pedro-calungsod.html

Solemn Feast of Saint Clare of Assisi 2011

May the Almighty God bless you! May He look upon you with the eyes of His mercy and give you His Peace. May He pour forth His graces on you abundantly, and in heaven may He place you among His saints. Amen. (Blessings of St.Clare)

Poor Clare Monastery, Cebu, Philippines

Theme: Gospel Poverty, A Marvelous Exchange

‎"Clare's contemplative journey which will culminate in her vision of the 'King of Glory', begins precisely in her total abandonment to the spirit of the Lord, after the example of Mary at the Annunciation: that is to say, it begins with that SPIRIT OF POVERTY which empties her everything but the simplicity of a gaze fixed on God." 

Blessed Pope John Paul II

Well, I am a child of Holy Church, and the Church is a Queen, because she is now espoused to the Divine King of Kings. I ask not for riches or glory, not even the glory of Heaven—that belongs by right to my brothers the Angels and Saints, and my own glory shall be the radiance that streams from the queenly brow of my Mother, the Church. Nay, I ask for Love. To love Thee, Jesus, is now my only desire. Great deeds are not for me; I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my blood. No matter! My brothers work in my stead, and I, a little child, stay close to the throne, and love Thee for all who are in the strife.

~Thérèse