July 3, 2007

Dear Parents and Girls:

Today at Mass for the Feast of St. Thomas, the doubting Thomas, I realized that it is time to send a letter to you about the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Church celebrates the feast on July 16. The Novena consists of nine days of prayer in preparation for the special day for our patroness, Mary, the Mother of God, the Queen and Beauty of Carmel. As I prayed in Church, I thanked God for the gift of St. Thomas, the Apostle, one of the twelve who followed Jesus.

How many times has each of us doubted? How many times have we made bold statements like Thomas made? Certainly not as dramatic, but in our own world of relationships they are dramatic enough. How many times have we said “I won’t until...,” or “I cannot until…,” or “No one would believe that...,” along our journey through life. And we remember Thomas and Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 24:29) This consoles us and gives us courage to go on believing that Jesus is with us as He stated, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Let us again profess our faith in Jesus’ promise and believe that what we ask the Father in Jesus’ name will be done for us. Since God the Father chose Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God, who better to intercede for us that this great woman. Have you ever wondered why there are so many titles for our Blessed Mother? They are a reflection of her intercessory prayer for so many people from all nations who find in Mary a way to Jesus; and if we find Jesus we have found the God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit who dwells in each of us.

Give yourself and your family the gift of time to pray the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It only takes a few minutes; ask for what your family needs to bond more closely in love and concern for one another and all of God’s people. Let each member of the family support the faith of the other members so if at a given time one is weak, the love and care of the others carries them through. Ask Mary to talk to Jesus so it can happen.

Many of us were enthralled with the television concert which the sons of Princess Diana, William and Harry, organized for their mother. It was a wonderful tribute to her. Perhaps in our families we can remember the songs we sang honoring the Blessed Mother as we grew like Jesus in wisdom, age and grace; and surely someone in the family can lead the singing in honor of Mary. It can be a wonderful, fun, prayerful experience, especially if you mix in stories of the family traditions. Laughter, leisure and love together bond a family. Enjoy the summer. Keep our Mount Carmel family in your prayers. God is with you.

Love, Sister Camille Anne