September: Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows
![Our Lady of Sorrows](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OurLady-closeup.png)
By Mary O’Boyle OCDS, Christchurch President Welcome Dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel, Looking at our Carmelite motto from our Father and Founder, St Elias, he is described as “consumed by zeal for the Lord, devoted to observing and restoring the worship of the one true God in this spiritually feeble age”. Father Gabriel, “Divine […]
August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
![The Angelus](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Picture1.jpg)
DO YOU PRAY THE ANGELUS at midday each day, along with millions of
faithful Catholics around the world? Do you know its history, where it originates from and why we pray this
much loved prayer?
July: Dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus
![Jesus bleeding on the cross from his crown of thorns into a chalice.](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Jesusbleedingoncross.jpg)
July 16th is the Patronal Feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a joyous day for Carmelites throughout the world.
June: Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
![Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SacredHeartImmaculateHeart.jpg)
June is upon us when we celebrate the feasts of the Twin Hearts of Jesus and Mary. A much loved and favourite devotion where we have been encouraged.
May: Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
![Mother Mary carrying infant Jesus](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MaryJesusBlue.jpg)
Mary is totally dependent upon God and completely directed
towards him, and at the side of her Son, she is THE MOST PERFECT
IMAGE OF FREEDOM AND OF THE LIBERATION of humanity and of
the universe.
April: Dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament
![](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ResurrectedJesus.jpg)
As this is written, Easter is coming, please God we will feel renewed in our love and service of Him who died that we might live.
March: Dedicated to St Joseph
![St Joseph carrying infant Jesus](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JesusStJoseph.jpg)
Lent – a time of contemplating the betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion of our beloved Lord and Master.
February: Dedicated to the Holy Family
![Holy Family painting](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HolyFamilyPainting.jpg)
Our Foundress, St Teresa of Jesus, tells us: “Prayer is an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking
time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”
December: Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception
![Holy Family in the Stable](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Holy-Family-Stables.jpg)
Advent heralds Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. This year these symbols have an even greater poignancy in our world riven with despair, anger, pain and hate.
November: Dedicated to the Holy Souls
![Our Lady spreading her mantle over us](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OurLadyMantle.jpg)
reflect on how we can examine the quality of our response to our Christian and Carmelite vocation… how am I responding generously, charitably, faithfully, zealously?