Canonization of Fr. Damien

We rejoiced with the entire universal Church at the canonization of Belgian born Saint, Father Damien, on 11 October in Rome. We followed the ceremony through a local TV station, who translated everything to Dutch.

There was also a 30-minute documentary film on his life showing his birthplace and when his body was brought back to Belgium. Among those interviewed was a lay woman who said (in Dutch), "we don't almost dare to mention that Damien was a priest and that his remarkable deeds were actually grace of his calling...".

May his life continue to inspire many to be generous in giving themselves to God and His people esp. the outcasts and the lepers of modern-day society.

St. Damien of Molokai, pray for us and for your native Belgium!

Clothing of our 2nd Filipina novice

On the Feast of our holy little sister, St. Therese, our postulant, Jurechille Catalan, received the habit of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and received her new religious name, Sr. Marie Paul Therese of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Will still translate our Mother Prioress' message from Flemish to English to give you an idea of her choice of name and mystery.

The first Filipina novice received the habit last 19 April (Divine Mercy Sunday) and since then has been named Sr. Marie Elizabeth of the Divine Mercy. Please pray for their perseverance as well as that of our newest sister, Maria Socoro, from the Carmel of Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines.

As we celebrated yesterday the Clothing day of Sr. Marie Paul Therese, we carried in our hearts and prayers our suffering brothers and sisters in the Philippines, in Cambodia, in Vietnam and in Indonesia. May God continue to inspire more generous-hearted people to come to their assistance.

Launching

WELCOME to the blog of the Carmelite Sisters in Vilvoorde!

We lovingly dedicate this endevour to the young people whom we know & still hope to know, to our friends, benefactors, families and communities of origin (the reason why this has to be in English).

We choose to launch this on the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, under whose patronage we place this blog. May she impart to us her contemplative-missionary zeal in making God be loved by many...

It has been two years ago since we contemplated beginning this but due to some reasons it didnt materialize but with the re-opening of our Novitiate this year, guess there will be enough materials to publish now and then.

In fact, on the Feast of St Therese itself, our second Filipina postulant, Jurechille Catalan, will receive the Habit of Our Lady of Mt Carmel during a simple ceremony after Lauds. She will then receive her new religious name and mystery. We hope to share it with you soon along with some photos.

In the meantime, keep her and our little community in your prayer.

A blessed and happy feast of St. Therese! May she continue to teach us her "Little Way".