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Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Carmel,
Our Secular Order Community meeting for October will vary slightly from the norm. Father Michael-Thérèse, as he told us last month, will be out of the country. So, no “words of wisdom” from him this meeting.
Instead, we will show a short video of Blessed Josefa Naval Girbes, OCDS, following which Megan will guide us as we discuss her life of service as a Secular Carmelite and perhaps ask the question:
How generous are we in our service as disciples of Our Lord?
We are to RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH, that is what Jesus has called us to do and Blessed Josefa Naval Girbes, OCDS epitomizes HOW.
OCTOBER, MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY.
(The following excerpt comes from the Simply Catholic website).
On Oct. 7, 1571, two years after the Vatican urged the Rosary for universal use, an event took place that caused the devotion to gain widespread popularity. One of the most famous (and bloodiest) naval battles in history took place that day on the Bay of Lepanto, off the coast of Greece. The opposing forces were Christians, made up of an alliance of fleets from Spain and Italy, against a far superior Turkish navy. The Muslim force was threatening to take over the Mediterranean Sea and hence be in a position to attack European countries. Pope Pius V asked the Christian faithful to pray the Rosary and seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother to defeat the Muslim navy.
Despite being outnumbered, the Christian fleet prevailed. Accordingly, Pope Pius established Oct. 7 as a feast day of Our Lady of Victory, thus perpetually bringing honour to the Blessed Mother for her assistance. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII (r. 1572-85) changed the name of the feast to Our Lady of the Rosary, a feast the Church continues to celebrate.
P.S. Have attached the Letter on Sr Lucia of Jesus which Fr General gave us for the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Christchurch's Peace of Christ Community President