Prayer Of Carmel

Queen and Beauty of Mount Carmel
Virgin of the solitude,
in the wilderness of Carmel
lies the world's eternal good.
Draw us to its deep seclusion,
and make God alone our goal
in the mystical Mount Carmel
that lies hidden in the soul.

Sr. Miriam OCD (Jessica Powers)

Rotten Tomatoes

A few months ago my wife started growing some tomatoes in a planter. The plants grew up quite big. But in spite of their massive growth, they have not managed to produce any fruit. It is now late in the season, and the plants are still growing and chewing up space. Although we've had success with other vegetables, the tomatoes are disappointing.

We're not sure what happened. Why they failed to produce any tomatoes. We're simply left to ponder -- "why"... Perhaps in the same spirit that Our Lady was left to ponder -- with the many unusual and (at times) unpleasant experiences that befell her and her family.

And perhaps there is a need for patience. I'm reminded of the words from the gospel -- "The gardener said, 'let's give it another year. I'll dig around it and fertilize it, and maybe it will produce fruit next year; if it doesn't, then chop it down." (Luke 13: 8,9)

On Rublev's Trinity Icon...

(from Wikipedia)

The Trinity (Russian: Троица, tr. Troitsa, also called The Hospitality of Abraham) is an icon created by Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the 15th century. It is his most famous work and the most famous of all Russian icons, and it is regarded as one of the highest achievements of Russian art.


In our Carmelite tradition, we know that St. Elizabeth of the Trinity had a particular devotion/love for the Holy Trinity. It is said she would address each person of the Trinity specifically, and pray in a specail way to each one.

In this painting, the individual persons are seated out around the table -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- but the front of the table is left open. This arrangement allows the viewer to see what is taking place. In fact (as a priest once mentioned in a commentary) it serves as an invitation. It's a sign of God's love and sharing between persons -- a love so strong that it welcomes fallen humanity to come in and share with the divne...

Our Lady Is With Us...

12/2020 --

My wife and I moved to N. California recently. We have been attending church at St. Mary's in Arcata. The masses are now held outdoors because of Covid.

There is a lovely statue of Our Lady, but if you look closely you will see she is missing her hands. Perhaps this is a sign she has joined us in our suffering. Like Her Son, allowing herself to become both victim and priest -- praying for the well-being of all God's children...

May the Lord be praised!

Update, 5/2022 --

Now, a year or so later -- and without knowing how/when it occurred, this lovely statue of Our Lady has been repaired.

Her hands are now visibly back in the position of prayer. Our masses are returning to the indoors; the pandemic (for a time) seems to be lifting.

Perhaps some small sign(s) of the good things that come to those who wait upon the Lord...

10/2022 --

Our Lady has lost her hands again. Perhaps a sign of the evil and darkness still in the world. Let us wait with her in silence -- until God comes to our aid.

On How to Petition the Lord...

The discreet lover does not care to ask for what she lacks and desires, but only indicates this need so the Beloved may do what he pleases.

When the Blessed Virgin spoke to her beloved Son at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, she did not ask directly for the wine, but merely remarked: They have no wine [Jn. 2:3]. And the sisters of Lazarus did not send to ask our Lord to cure their brother, but to tell him that Lazarus whom he loved was sick [Jn. 11:3].

There are three reasons for this: First, the Lord knows what is suitable for us better than we do; second, the Beloved has more compassion when he beholds the need and resignation of a soul that loves him; third, the soul is better safeguarded against self-love and possessiveness by indicating its lack, rather than asking for what in its opinion is wanting.

-- St. John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle, Stanza 2 #8

What I Want...

I want the Glory of my Lord
and that there be many to praise Him. . .

-- St. Teresa of Jesus

Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Have been reading this apostolic letter on the rosary by Pope St. John Paul II.  It's absolutely splendid, beautifully written...

It offers great encouragement (and perhaps even a few new insights) to those of us devoted to the Most Holy Rosary of Our Blessed Lady.

http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae.html