Br. Robert Julian's Renewal of Vows

On Sunday, April 19, 2009 -- Divine Mercy Sunday, Br. Robert Julian renewed his vows as the first member of the Hermits of Mercy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, during the Sunday Mass at St. Mary of Grace parish.  This community is a community of hermit-monks, who live in the modern world, living a life of prayer in the Carmelite tradition and being of service to others through work and praying. They live in their own homes / domiciles / hermitages and are self-supporting. They can choose to live in community when the number allows and there is a desire to do so from the monks. They dedicate their lives in the service of their Christian brothers and sisters by performing both corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The hermuits also have a ministry of intercessory prayer and takes prayer requests. These requests /intentions are entered int the "Intentions Book" which stays on the altar in our chapel. It is included in our daily prayers and also at Masses.The Hermits of Mercy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is an ecumenical order of religious men and women that will admit persons who are Baptized Christians from other churches / traditions with apostolic succession.

Brother hosts a monthly contemplative service of Vespers and Eucharist on the third Friday of each month at his home, the Carmel of the Most Merciful Savior, at 7:30 pm. 

Br. Robert Julian gave a very heartfelt and informative presentation on Carmelite spirituality during the ICCC Gathering. 

Apostle of the Devotion to The Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ

Saint Gaspar del Bufalo
[b. in Rome, Italy on Friday, January 6, 1786
d. in Rome, Italy on Thursday, December 28, 1837]

Saint Gaspar del Bufalo, the Apostle of the Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on Sunday, July 31, 1808. As a Priest, he revived the works of the apostolate in Rome, later becoming a missionary. During his missionary travels of Italy he invited the faithful to reflect upon and to adore the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

Saint Gaspar brought devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Christ out of the Sanctuary of the church and into the streets. His preaching was rooted in the saving act of Christ on the cross which is why he carried a crucifix close to his heart. This explains why the mission cross became the symbol of the newly formed community.

At Giano, Italy, on Tuesday, August 15, 1815, in the 10th Century Abbey of San Felice, Saint Gaspar del Bufalo founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

In 1834, with his encouragement, Blessed Maria De Mattias [b. at Vallecorsa, the Southernmost town of the Papal States, in the geographical province of Frosinone, on Monday, February 4, 1805 - d. at Rome on Monday, August 20, 1866] founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Pope Pius XII pronounded her "Blessed" on October 1, 1950.

Gaspar del Bufalo was Beatified by Pope Saint Pius X in 1904 and canonized by Pope Pius XII on Saturday, June 12, 1954. His body is enshrined for the veneration of the faithful in the Church of Santa Maria in Trivio, Italy.

Hermits of Mercy of Our Lady of Mt Carmel hosts a Day of Reflection on the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord

Saturday July 11, 2009  the Hermits of Mercy of Our Lady of Mt Carmel hosted a Day of Reflection at the Carmel of the Most Merciful Savior. The theme was keeping in tune with the July devotion to The Most Precious Blood of our Lord.

After praying Lauds, there was a wonderful talk presented by Mr. James Hamilton, R.N. on the Precious Blood and the history of the devotion in the Church. He gave wonderful insights as to the nature of the devotion as well as a brief history of the religious congregations that devote themselves to the Most Precious Blood. He also spoke of St. Gaspar del Bufalo who was the founder of the Congregation of Missionaries of the Precious Blood.. We had most of the day for quiet prayer time and reflection, followed by another brief talk about the relationship of the devotion of the Most Precious Blood to the Carmelites.

The day ended with Vespers & Mass followed by a cookout. A friend of the Hermits and a parishoner of St Mary of Grace parish, Hector Rodriguez cooked a wonderful meal. He is a true God-send for us. A prayerful time as well as an enjoyable evening at the end of the Day of Recollection was had by all who attended.

Third Friday Contemplative Prayer group

Every third Friday evening at 7:30 we host Evening prayer with Mass with a period of reflection on some aspect of Carmelite spirituality.

Those wishing to join please let us know by e-mail to Phillbob1@aol.com