It’s only now that I’ve found time to write to you since I received my father’s permission. I can only say: Blessed be God! Everything happened in a providential way; and I have clearly seen the will of God; for everything happened just as I wanted it to. On May 7, the Most Holy Virgin and Saint Joseph will open the doors of my convent, and as of that day I will die to the world in order to live forever hidden in God. What a heavenly life, Rev. Father, what a life, a life of the bride of the Divine Crucified One! I wrote to my father on the Saturday as I told you, but he didn’t answer me for a ..read more

WORKING TRANSLATION* April 28 BLESSED MARIA FELICIA OF JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Virgin Optional Memorial Blessed Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (Maria Felicia Guggiari Echeverría), commonly known as Chiquitunga, was born in Villarrica del Espiritu Santo, Paraguay on January 12, 1925. At the age of 16, she enthusiastically joined Catholic Action and took care of the elderly, the sick, and prisoners. This fruitful apostolic experience, supported by the daily Eucharist, resulted in her consecration to the Lord. She entered the Carmel of Asunción on February 2, 1954, charac ..read more

In 1720 a foundation of Carmelite Friars was attempted in old Colonial Louisiana. This foundation and all others that might spring from it were to be under the jurisdiction and government of the general of the Order and his definitors. On February 12th, 1720, the Order accepted the mission of Louisiana. Father James of St. Martin, a professed religious of the Province of Normandy, was appointed superior of the foundation. He was 56 years old and had been 39 years professed in the Order. The companions assigned to him were Fathers Charles of St. Alexis and William of St. Mar ..read more

Teresa of Jesus, great and noble virgin, and also reformer of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, was enriched by profusion of this divine abundance of sacred charisms. A woman of simple customs and ignorant of literary culture, she excelled so much in words and writings that these words can be referred to her: “in the full assembly she opened her mouth”  (Sir 15:5), and she was rightly proclaimed a saint by holy men and also was venerated as a very sure guide and teacher by doctors of sacred sciences. Although she was involved in a great deal of business related to her ..read more

In an exemplary way, Teresa Mary lived the exhortations of St. Paul, which we read in the liturgy: “from childhood” she allowed herself to be convinced by the truth of God’s word; built on it, she “stood firm” in it. And as the years went by, she strengthened that inner “steadfastness” and robustness and knew how to “teach” it, convincing and correcting her own spiritual daughters, and training them in righteousness and every good work. Right up to today. And also into the future. The particularly striking characteristic of Teresa Mary was joy. A woman of exceptional maternal tenderness and po ..read more

“If you see my mother, or if you go to the judge, or if you meet a priest, tell them that I am dying because I am a Christian.” Isidore Bakanja worked as an assistant mason for white colonists in what was then the Belgian Congo and later known as Zaire. A convert, he was baptized on 6 May 1906 at age 18 after receiving instruction from Trappist missionaries. Rosary in hand, he used any chance to share his faith; though untrained, many thought of him as a catechist. He left his native village because there were no fellow Christians. He further worked as a domestic on a Belgian rubber plantati ..read more

April 23 BLESSED TERESA MARY OF THE CROSS MANETTI Virgin Optional Memorial She was born at Campi Bisenzio, Florence, where in 1874 she founded the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa, who she also sent to Lebanon and the Holy Land. She lived joyfully, body and soul, the mystery of the Cross in full conformity to the will of God and she was outstanding for her love for the Eucharist and her maternal care for children and for the poor. She died at Campi Bisenzio on April 23, 1910. From the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Women (Religious) Office of Readings Second Reading F ..read more

Let us devote ourselves entirely to knowing God. The more we know him, the more we want to know him. Since love is generally measured by knowledge, the deeper and more extensive the knowledge, the greater will be the love. And if our love is great, we will love him equally in pain and consolation. Let us not settle for seeking or loving God only for the graces he has given or can give us, no matter how great they may be. These favors, impressive as they are, never bring us as close to him as does a simple act of faith; let us seek him often through this virtue. He is in our midst [cf. Lk 17:21 ..read more

Since Wednesday, there’s a noticeable improvement. Marie is no longer delirious. However, she still has a fever. She’s still eating nothing but broth. She’s very weak and sleeps a lot. We hope that soon her convalescence will start. I’m waiting for it very impatiently. The wet nurse brought our little Thérèse today, who’s in good health and very strong. I thought I wouldn’t have time to write you. I’m taking advantage of a moment of rest. I hope to hear from you soon, and I’ll write to you again as soon as Marie is a little better. Saint Zélie Martin Letter CF 94 to her sister-in-law Céline Fo ..read more

Dear little mother, it is with pleasure that I see the new year arrive in order to renew my wishes for a happy new year. I wish you everything you could possibly desire, and now that I’m older I’m going to be a sweet, patient, obedient, diligent little girl who never gets angry. First of all, since I am the elder, I must set an example for my little sister; I will not upset her anymore. Finally, I will be a little role model and you will be able to say that you are the happiest of mothers, and since I hope that I will soon have the happiness of making my First Communion, I will be even more we ..read more