An Advent custom of the Carmelite Sisters

I found this on a Carmelite website about a rather beautiful custom that the Sisters have: ‘One of the most treasured customs of our sisters is the Carmelite tradition of picking a day to spend in silence and solitude with the Infant Jesus statue in our cell. Each sister draws from a set of cards the particular day she will have as her “Hermit Day” during Advent. She will prepare her cell in any creative way she desires in order to welcome the special Guest. After vespers the night before her Hermit Day she will process last in line of the sisters while singing her favourite Advent hymn. The candle bearers stay by her side as she carries the Baby Jesus to finally arrive at her cell. From that moment until vespers of the next day she will spend in reflection and prayer.’  I don’t think this exquisite tradition needs any comment from me.

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon B, Catherine,

Illness: Roy Seymour, Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Richard Parker, Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, Wojtek, Joy Smith OCDS