Feeling very blessed!

Just sharing two of my favorite faces....this is my oldest daughter and my favorite grandson (who was VERY HOT and tired). I can say he's my favorite because...well....he's the only grandchild I have at the moment! But you have to admit...he's soooooooo cute!

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

I'm running late but just had to take a moment to say I will remember you all in my prayers today! God Bless!

Practice of the Presence of God

I read this post Faith and Reason at louange de sa gloire and the reference made to the Carmelite ideal of living in the presence of God at all times is timely as I just read the below excerpt from one of Father Bruno Cocuzzi, OCD homilies.

"There is an exercise of soul, closely akin to Mental Prayer, which is compatible with the faithful fulfillment of our daily duties and which renders us receptive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is the practice of the Presence of God. Since we have likened Mental Prayer to the spontaneous, informal, loving encounter of two well-beloved spouses, we can compare the practice of the Presence of God to the activity of mind and heart of a young housewife as she goes about her work in the home while her husband is away during the day.

Because she lives in his house and is entrusted with the care of it, and especially because she is responsible for the care of the children, a young housewife is keenly aware of her estate, that is, of her relationship to her spouse. He is indirectly present to her because of her immediate concern with persons and things that have a direct or indirect bearing upon him. He is present to her memory because she can’t help thinking of how he looks, of the sound of his voice, of his touch, etc. He is present to her intellect when she adverts to certain facts concerning him: he is so handsome; he is so kind and affectionate toward the children; he is such a hard, unselfish worker. Then, when the nature of her work absorbs her mind completely, when she cannot be mindful of him, she keeps him present to her will by applying herself to the task at hand with diligence for love of him. It is the last named means which can always be practiced, and which escapes the ability of no one.

The practice of the Presence of God, then, is the deliberate effort to keep God and related things present to our faculties of mind and heart. First of all it requires that we remind ourselves at stated times during the day that we are the children of God, co-heirs with Jesus Christ of the Kingdom of Heaven. We have to keep in mind that, even though we may own things outright, that we are stewards in God’s household. In particular, we have to get into the habit of seeing all persons as children of God for whose salvation and spiritual welfare we are to some degree responsible. We keep in the presence of God by remembering what we have read or heard concerning Him, by recalling images and incidents taken from the Gospels. Having sacred images in the home is a great help in this regard. We keep God present, too, by means of our intellect, when we make acts of Faith: God loves me; Jesus died for me, gave me Himself as my spiritual sustenance, gave me His own Mother; the Cross is necessary; a heavy Cross is a proof of signal favor, etc. And when the nature of our work makes this kind of mental activity impossible, we keep God present in our hearts by doing all things for love of Him. It is the minimum, but it is essential."

Have a blessed day!

Prayers for your children...

I've posted this before and this is really a reminder to myself to always pray for my children (you can replace "daughters" with children or sons).

Holy Mary, mother of God and mother of all the faithful, I place my daughters under your motherly protection. To you I completely consecrate them, body and soul. Take them under your care and keep them always. Guard them and keep their hearts pure, their thoughts ever holy and directed to God and the things of God. Protect them always throughout life - in their joys and sorrows, in successes and failures, in dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to them, Mary, and preserve them. I commend them entirely to you. Remember, Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration they become in a special way your children as well as mine; guard them and keep them as your very own. Amen.

Saint Teresa of the Andes

One of my favorites!

St. Teresa of the Andes

Thoughts from Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel

"Try to see our Lord working out His plan for your holiness through the vexations and annoyances you meet with. Give yourself sweetly and generously to their purifying action; thus His transforming love can make you His living image; His Father will see in you another Jesus seeking only His glory. "

~~Fragrance from Alabaster~~

Novena to our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Second Day)

Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(pause and mention petitions)

Say: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Tomorrow begins the Novena to Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel. O Star of the Sea, please pray for us!

First Day (7 July)O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, holyand singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother! (pause and mention petitions)

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.