Novena 2008
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Opening Night
Tonights theme: Holy Mary, the New Eve
This is the homily given by Bishop Robert Herman at the first night of the Carmel of St. Joseph’s 60th Annual Outdoor Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Dear Bishop Herman graciously came to present the liturgy to us as our Archbishop Raymond Burke has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to become the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome.
Bishop Herman is a powerful homilist and speaks so eloquently about the need for Contemplatives in our modern day society. As this mass is said outside, you will enjoy hearing the cicadas, frogs and other outdoor wild life along with the chime of the Monastery Bells.
We hope you will enjoy this homily from the first night of the Novena! Please come and join us if you can. The rosary starts at 7:30 and mass begins at 8 p.m.
Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
First Night MP3 file download here
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Second Night
This evening our Celebrant for the Holy Mass on the Second Night of our Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was Msgr. Richard Stitka who is the Pastor at Annuziata Church here in St. Louis and he also serves at the Chaplin to the Sisters here at the Carmelite Monastery. You can hear Father’s beautiful homily in testimony of Vocations.
Also available here as a podcast is a recording of therecitation of the Most Holy Rosary which was prayed in Chapel before the outdoor mass. The rosary was lead by a Seminarian
fromKenrick-Glennon Seminary here in St. Louis and it is followed by prayers for Benediction of the Holy Eucharist and completed with a song entitled “Queen and Beauty of Mt. Carmel”. This is a special favorite song ritually sung here at the Novena each night.
Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
Second Night MP3 file download here
________________________________
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Third Night
Monday July 14 - Holy Mary Queen and Mother of Mercy Rev. John L. Suenram, OCD, Pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower
This evening’s Holy Mass was celebrated by Father John L. Suenram, OCD who came all the way from San Antonio, Texas and the National Shrine of the Little Flower! How wonderful it was to have a Carmelite Friar come and preach to us during this Novena and his special understanding of Carmelite Spirituality filled our hearts.
The youth choir from St. Marks parish was the special choir for this evening. Apparently they have just returned from a visit at the University of Stubenville in Ohio. Their passionate singing was so uplifting!
Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
Download Night 3′s Homily Here.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Fourth Night
Tuesday, July 15 - The Blessed Virgin Mary Pillar of Faith
Rev. John L. Suenram, OCD, Pastor of the National Shrine of the Little Flower
This evening’s Holy Mass was again celebrated by Father John L. Suenram, OCD. Despite difficulties with his microphone halfway through the sermon, a fast thinking Father quickly picked up another microphone and kept on with his homily!
The choir tonight was composed of fellow Carmelites. TheCarmelite Sisters of the Most Divine Heart of Jesus. Their mission is to serve the elderly at their St. Agnes Home for the elderly here in St. Louis. How wonderful it is to have them with us! Thank you Sisters!
Also, you may pray along with us the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary which were recited in chapel before mass.
Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Fifth Night
Wednesday, July 16 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Rev. John L. Suenram, OCD, Pastor of theNational Shrine of the Little Flower
This evening’s beautiful mass on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was just beautiful. Fr. Suenram spoke to us of the special motherly relationship Our Lady has for her loving Carmelite children. She has clothed us with a special garment of grace and we implore her heavenly protection. Father spoke of the special relationship Our Lady played in the life of St. Therese of Lisieux and how we all are guided by Our Lady’s maternal care.
Also of significant note… this broadcast of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel repreasents our 100th Podcast!!! Deo Gratias!
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
_______________________
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Sixth Night
The Carmelites best known for their martyrdoms during of the French Revolution are the Martyrs of Compiègne, who were guillotined in Paris in mid-July, 1794. The memorial of the beatified Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne is today, July 17 and we celebrated their memory during the Novena tonight. Newly ordained Priest in our Archdiocese, Fr. Michael Houser was the main celebrant and he spoke beautifully about Peace and the Martyrs. Father Houser was assisted by Deacon David Skillman of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary who is in his last year of study before ordination.
The sixteen Discalced Carmelite nuns were condemned to death by the revolutionary tribunal for their fidelity to religious life, for their “fanaticism” (especially for their admirable devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), and for their attachment to constituted authority. These were all considered crimes against the “State” which was adamant about removing all forms of clerical thought from their secular government and rule.
The prioress of these Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Teresa of St. Augustine, offered themselves to the Lord as a holocaust “to placate the anger of God and so that divine peace, brought to earth by His beloved Son, would return to the Church and to the state.”
After their Monastery and lodgings were invaded again in June, their devotional objects were shattered and their tabernacle trampled underfoot by a Revolutionary. This soldier told them that their place of worship should be transformed into a dog kennel!
The Carmelite sisters were taken to the prison to await their trial. There they composed a canticle for their martyrdom, to be sung to the familiar tune of the people at the time. The original writing still exists. It was written in pencil and given to one of their fellow prisoners, a lay woman who survived.
Give over our hearts to joy, the day of glory has arrived,
Far from us all weakness, seeing the standard come;
We prepare for the victory, we all march to the true conquest,
Under the flag of the dying God we run, we all seek the glory;
Rekindle our ardor, our bodies are the Lord’s,
We climb, we climb the scaffold and give ourselves back to the Victor.O happiness ever desired for Catholics of France, To follow the wondrous road
Already marked out so often by the martyrs toward their suffering,
After Jesus with the King, we show our faith to Christians,
We adore a God of justice; as the fervent priest, the constant faithful,
Seal, seal with all their blood faith in the dying God….Holy Virgin, our model, August queen of martyrs, deign to strengthen our zeal
And purify our desires, protect France even yet, help; us mount to Heaven,
Make us feel even in these places, the effects of your power. Sustain your children,
Submissive, obedient, dying, dying with Jesus and in our King believing.
Read more on these Carmelites from the above quoted sources:
an article: The Mantle of Elijah: The Martyrs of Compiègne as Prophets of Modern Age by Terrye Newkirk, OCDS.
CARMELITE NUNS OF COMPIÈGNE (d. 1794) Blessed, martyrs (D) Valentine Macca
_______________________
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Seventh Night
Friday, July 18 - The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Hope
Rev. Edward G. Nemeth, Newly Ordained, Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Parish in Imperial
For the 7th Night of the Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Father Nemeth spoke to us about the Blessed Virgin Mary as our Mother of Divine Hope. His beautiful sermon was briefly muffled by the sound of a car alarm, but please persist in listening for it only last a minute or so!
The photograph of St. Michael shows the newly reclaimed statue which guards the front lawn of the Carmelite Monastery. After a storm damaged his sword, a restoration company came to assess the damage. The found that this statue was actually painted and that underneath the layers of paint lie the most beautiful and very old marble! Through a careful restoration St. Michael now again gloriously guards the Monastery and his guilded sword brightly reflects the sun!
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
____________________________
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Eighth Night
Saturday, July 19 - The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians
Rev. Noah A. Waldman, Newly Ordained, Associate Pastor, Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish in St. Charles
It was another beautiful St. Louis evening and as the sun set and Holy Mass began, a cool breeze gently comforted us all on the front lawns of the Carmel of St. Joseph here in St. Louis, Missouri. Newly ordained Priest, Fr. Noah Waldman spoke so very beautifully about Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, his beautiful understanding and love of Carmelite spirituality and about Our Lady Help of Christians.
Of particular beauty is Father’s prompting to us to consider the holy life of Our Lady and her life with the young St. John after he was entrusted with the care of our Holy Mother from the dying Christ on the cross.
The “Filipino-American Friendship Choir” uplifted us with their beautiful singing throughout the evening. Thank you!
Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
________________________
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena Final Night
Sunday, July 20 - The Blessed Virign Mary, Gate of Heaven -
Rev. Timothy P. Elliot, Pastor St. Giana Parish, Lake St. Louis
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of our wonderful novena of masses and prayers in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel! Certainly many graces were shown upon the faithful who not only attended the Novena with love and prayerful hearts but who also endured the 107 degree heat tonight! (though that temperature was only a rumor and not confirmed!)
Father Timothy Elliot spoke about the importance of understanding and discerning what things in life are good and what things are evil. He reminds us that the Devil is very clever to make things “appear” good to us, but if we examine them through the eyes of faith and love of Christ we will see differently. In his homily, Father speaks quite frankly on the subject of honoring morality and embracing a culture of life.
You can here his homily here below.
May the graces and strength bestowed on us through prayer in love of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and in honor of her most beautiful, humble and holy example to the world shine as a beacon of holy hope as she leads all her beloved children to her Son, our Lord and our Eternal Savior and King. Praise be Jesus Christ, Now and Forever!!!
Novena Prayer To our Lady of Mount Carmel
O most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show me herein
you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you
from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand you power,
O, show me herein you are my mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause
in your hands.
Amen
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