This is my Carmelite
Family Coat of Arms. May my heart be steadfast ~ And like the Carmelite
Shield Ever strong and true!
Feast Day of Our Lady
of Mount Carmel
~ July 16th ~
~ ~ And I smile when I think ~
~
~ of my Aunt Bertha in Heaven ~
Carmelites strive to live centered on Christ, under
the Queenship of Mary, inspired by and with the zeal of Elijah and Elisha
~ Every detail pictured in our shield is rich in meaning and represents
the charism of Carmel.
The Cross in the center of the shield reminds us of our need to center
all that we are and all that we do on Jesus. The mountain that leads to
the Cross symbolizes both the actual mountain, Mt. Carmel in Israel where
the Order was born, but also, and more importantly, symbolizes union with
God through prayer and contemplation ~ climbing the mountain of the Lord.
The crown with its twelve stars represents Mary, "A great and wondrous
sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under
her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head." (Rev.
12:1).
The arm and the fiery sword represent Elijah, who
in his great burning zeal for the Lord called down fire from Heaven. The
inscription is the Latin translation of Elijah's words in 1st Kings: "With
zeal I am zealous for the Lord God of Hosts."
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~ ~ A Prayer to Truffenyi ~ ~
by: Sir Steelake Vrochren
Come to me, my Kinsman, the Light, my Guide.
Come to me, that I may come to you.
Since I went forth into the darkness I was given
Water to drink, food to nourish my spirit.
I am in the midst of my enemies, the beasts surround me.
They burned in their wrath, they rose up against me.
Matter and her sons divided me up amongst them,
They burnt me in their fire, they sewed me in filthy skins,
They heaped memories upon me, they gave me a bitter likeness.
The strangers with whom I mixed knew me not.
They desired to keep me with them, for I was life to them.
In me, they saw a garment they might wear.
Come to me, my Kinsman, the Light, my Guide!
I am the life of the world.
I am the milk that is in all trees.
I am the sweet water that is beneath the sons of matter.
Lo, in the darkness I have subdued ~ lo, the fire of the fountains
I have extinguished, as the sun receives the refined part of life.
O soul, raise your eyes to the height
And contemplate your bonds,
Lo, your Fathers are calling you!
Now go aboard the Ship of Light,
And receive your garland of glory.
Your kingdom awaits,
And rejoice with all the Aeons.
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