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Dear Friends,

After this, I'll go away . . .

From a letter of Pope John Paul II to the Carmelites of 25 March 2001:

"I too have worn the Scapular of Carmel over my heart for a long time! Out of my love for our common heavenly Mother, whose protection I constantly experience, I hope that the Marian year will help all the men and women religious of Carmel and the devout faithful who venerate her with filial affection to grow in her love and to radiate to the world the presence of this Woman of silence and prayer, invoked as Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope and Grace!

With these wishes, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing to all the friars, nuns, sisters and lay people of the Carmelite Family who work so hard to spead among the people of God true devotion to Mary, Star of the Sea and Flower of Carmel!

From the Vatican, 25 March 2001,

Joannes Paulus II

My own view is that all Carmelites and those who wear the Scapular of Mt Carmel should venerate the Holy Ecumenical Pontiff, John Paul the Great, Pope of Rome as a special Carmelite saint and intercessor!

Alex

My Brother Alex,
I totally agree about John Paul the Great!!!

Also, it is forbidden for you to go away.

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

Dear Abbot Michael,

If you say so!

I am under obedience to you!

I'm wondering about our Filipino friend, Ruel, who is a Carmelite . . . perhaps he hasn't had a chance to come to this thread . . .

Alex
ICCBF

My Brother Alex,
I'm not familiar with Ruel's name. Actually, I rather new on the BF, as you know.

Also, I have been wanting to ask if you have ever been to the Carmelite Spiritual Center on Stanley Ave. in Niagra Falls, Ontario. Gudrun O' Flynn is the manager there. They have an outstanding selection of Carmelite books there. I would order from her but the cost of mail from Canada to here is too steep for me. Not for you though.

Pray without ceasing...Michael ICCBF

Brother Michael,

Don't let Alex wander too far from our small flock !

praying for all out here in the high desert of Arizona,

james

Dear Brother James,
I thank God for your safe arrival. Enjoy your stay with your family and please God return to us safely.
Pray without ceasing...
Michael ICCBF

Aw shucks, Alex, every time I come back from a vacation, you're packing your bags to go away! Don't go! I like you!

Love,
Dolly

Letting out one big sigh here.....

Because of my work schedule and sharing the computer with other members of the family, I have been here reading, but haven't had time to post.

Michael,
During the time I was trying to join a third order community, I found anumber of Carmelite writings on the internet. I had printed them out and saved them even after I gave up thoughts of joining the community. Unfortunately, when we were packing to leave Maryland a few months ago I had to get rid of many of my books and folders to lighten the load(we had to leave fast and simply because of the coming eviction order). I was wondering if you know of a site where I could find those writings again? One of the ebooks was called "To the Mountain With Mary" (I think that was the title). Has anyone else come across such sites? I will do a new search when I get a chance(have to get to Liturgy this morning, I don't get to go too often anymore)
Vie

Hi Vie,
Greetings and blessings from Carmel...it's good to hear from you again.

I'm not good enough to figure ot how to send links yet. If you send me your email in a PM I can send them to you. Actually if you enter anything from "Carmelite; O. Carm; OCD, or Carmelite Rule" or almost any combination of those words, you will get more info and links than any soul has time to read.

Actualy, for starters, I always a weekly read of the "Rule of Saint Albert", also.

Good luck with all.

Pray without ceasing...Michael
ICCBF

Greetings in Carmel,
Welcome Novice! If I may be so bold as to para-phrase the words of John Paul the Great, do not be afraid. We are here for you and we are all eager to help. May the Theotokos, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel shield you with her mantle, and the Holy, Mighty, Imortal One infuse you with His Spirit to strenghten you and give you peace.

Pray without ceasing...Michael ICCBF

Dear in the Lord Carmelitanum:
As an update to the Scapular regulations I would mention that after enrollment in the Brown Cloth Scapular by any priest, deacon or authorized person, a scapular medal may be substituted for the cloth without the need to be blessed. There seems to be much misinformation on the internet about the Scapular and what is desired by the Order of Carmel. The medal may replace the cloth without being blessed. The new Scapular ritual is found on line here:
http://www.geocities.com/korvesem/carmel/doctrinalstatement.html
I think it is wonderful to have this Carmelite Forum. I was professed for life as a Third Order Secular Carmelite in 1978 and try each day to live fully the Carmelite charism. May the Lord in His great goodness and through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, St. Joseph and the Servant of God John Paul II, obtain for us every grace and heavenly blessing. +
Silouan, Her monk

As a quick followup to my previous post I would add this URL in which the Scapular and its interior meaning is brought forth much better than I could ever do.
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/SCAPULAR.htm

Blessings! +
Silouan, Her monk

Greetings in Carmel,
Thanks for your lovely posts and the very interesting links.

I read with interest the lines dealing with the necessity of blessing new Scapular Medals. I am one of those fortunate individuals mentioned who is authorized by the Order of the Ancient Observance to enroll souls in the Brown Scapular. The last directive I received from the Provincial's Office, and in conversation at the Spiritual Center in Ontario, is that new Scapular Medals MUST indeed be blessed. Part of the reasoning is that a cloth scapular is brown material and lay folks Carmelite Habit just as the Habit of Carmel is brown material. The medal is not. I will try to find supportive sites but in the meantime I wouldn't want souls to wear unblessed medals.

Pray without ceasing...Michael ICCBF

Okay another series of bad thunder storms...this is all I found so far about scapular medal blessings.

thebrownscapular.com/english/secondary/medal.html
Pray without ceasing.......Michael ICCBF

WITH ZEAL AM I ZEALOUS FOR THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS

To all souls interested in the ICC or Carmelite Scapular Confraternities or Third Orders (T.O. Carm. or OCDS), on the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of blessing each Scapular Medal:

1)domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19980701/SCRMNTL/SCAPUL.HTM

2)Permission

For some years the Carmelite Order had permission from Rome to grant laity the Indult to enroll people. This permission is no longer given, but those who received the Indult in the past still have it. So, while laity may not bless a scapular, there are some lay people who can invest others, with a scapular previously blessed by a priest or deacon.

From a Carmelite Site of the Order of the Ancient Observance:
Investing must be done with the cloth scapular. Those who wish to wear the medal can do so after investment. The scapular blessing attaches to each subsequent scapular. A new blessing isn't required. This is not true of the medal, each of which must be blessed by a priest or deacon.

I could go on and on but the point is, I feel, mute.

I think it should be obvious that the Carmelite Orders are the ultimate arbitors of Carmelite Scapular Regulations.

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF