www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology EastCarm: How Carmelites Pray

Brother Michael,

My word is my vow and commitment.

james

To those souls who are members of the ICCBF who are fathers and to souls who are friends of the ICCBF who are fathers:

May our Glorious Theotokos Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and the Holy, Mighty and Imortal God bless you on Fathers' Day, strengthen you to your vocation and to the completion of the Divine Will in every moment of your life. May you teach by your example and be zealous for the Lord God of Hosts. Amen

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

Dear Friends in Mt Carmel,

There is also an Eastern Icon of the Holy Protection that could also legitimately serve as an "icon of Our Lady of Mt Carmel."

In fact, there are Western images of our Lady extending her Mantle over monastics etc.

And certainly the Scapular is really a symbol of that same Mantle of Protection.

I once corresponded with a Russian Catholic Carmelite who told me the "polystavrion" that the highest grade of Orthodox monastics wear could be likened to a scapular etc.

Also, Fr. Basil Pennington, who recently reposed, and with whom I also corresponded, loved the scapular and told everyone he knew they should wear one (of any kind).

He once related the story of how he was riding a tractor and then was pulled off his seat in an accident and fell under it.

The blades that were cutting the grass came close to his skin and actually shredded his monastic undergarment.

However, the scapular he was wearing on top was undamage (as was he).

Alex

As a relatively new menber on the BZ perhaps I should not comment....but I will anyway.

It saddens me that on a Christian forum (and I think the BZ is a most excellent Chrisitian and learning Forum) a brother or sister would be treated with such un-christian behaviour as I have observed this week.

I must ask myself what would prompt a soul to "dump" on a brother or sister who had asked for our prayers. Regardless of past circumstances or behaviour it is not in the example of Jesus or what He asked us to do.
Michael wondering....

My Dear Faithful James,
...and then there were three. Faithful James, Novice (who seldom posts) and myself are the only souls remaining who have committed to the Theotokos Our Lady of Mt. Carmel by way of the ICCBF.

Somewhere there is a line about "...bloody but unbowed." Thank you faithful James and Novice.

Pray withput ceasing....Michael ICCBF

Dear Prior Michael,

Actually, I'm still with you as well!

When it comes to the scapular, we're all "men of the cloth!"

Alex ICCBF

I humgly ask forgivness for any soul I have made feel she lacked the dedication of any other soul.

I regret I have done damage and than I have not accomplished good for the Glorious Theotokos.

I am deeply sorry for anything I have done that was in conflict with the Byzantine Forum and its policies.

Peace.

Pray without ceasing....Michael

Dear Michael,

Actually, it is I who am at fault.

I thank you for your concern and your prayers.

Your heart is too filled to overflowing with love.

The last time I looked in the Gospels, that was no sin.

Please forgive me a sinner.

Now that that's over with , how about you give some thought to posting some points here with respect to a kind of "novitiate" to train interested people and those who, like me, are novices in deeper Carmelite spirituality?

Alex ICCBF

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cincarm/

This is a list comprising memebers of the OCDS. You do not need to be clothed in Carmel as a discalced secular to belong to the list. Any heated or strongly assertive discussion is not welcome.

The list is for study and information dissemination. There is a discussion of the Letters of Brother Lawrence in progress there which is why I mention it here at all. The first letter is in the archives with two reflections and a few exchanges of discussion under the headings of Brother Lawrence and some under the headings of examinations of conscience.

Mary

Not a correction but an addition: The Prayer Rule of St. Seraphim for Divayevo, is derivative of the Rule of Pachomius.

Mary

Dear Mary,

Very true!

Do you know where there is an internet site with an English translation of St Seraphim's Rule to the Theotokos?

Charles thinks my translation is suspect . . .

Alex

<smile>...oh well. I will ask around a bit and see. I don't know of one off hand....or even on-hand for that matter.

Gimme a day.

Mary

Dear Friends,

I could not be at peace if I did not post a reminder, today in many places the nine days of devotions to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel begins.

May I suggest using brother Alex's Akathist;

https://www.byzcath.org/sites/alex/web/Akathist-Our-Lady-Mount-Carmel.pdf

Most humbly submitted,
james

Dear, in Christ, brothers and sisters,

Let us join together in prayer and petition to the Mother of God of Mt. Carmel, as we prepare for the feast! You are in my poor prayers, please, remember me.

the unworthy,

Elias

Mother of God of Mt. Carmel, save us!

Dear Friends in Carmel,

And we should remember that there is an Orthodox miraculous icon of "the Mother of God of the Scapular" "Shkaplernaya" in the town of Horodyschenske in Ukraine (feast day unknown) and mentioned by the Orthodox professor, M.M. Poselianin in his "Bogomater."

Fr. Elias, would you care to guide the internet Carmelites here? Even silently?

Alex, ICCBF