Inner Certitude

I was discussing the ritual of making the Carmelite Promises in a formation session yesterday and we were talking about the sentence we have to say  when we make our Promises that reads ‘The experience of the period of formation has confirmed us in the certitude that the Lord is calling us to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world in union with Mary, Mother of God, and under her protection, as Secular members of Carmel.’  That word ‘certitude’ struck me because so much of Carmel is about living in mystery, in unknowing as opposed to knowing.  In my earlier years in Carmel I myself experienced doubts at times about my calling - and yet at some deep level that certitude grew, a beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thanks be to God for this kind of encouragement! 

Intercessions

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

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

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.