Spring 2019
Dear Members of the Mother Angeline Society,
Peace and blessings to you as you receive our Winter – Spring Bulletin. You are always remembered in our prayers and monthly Masses and we remain grateful for your prayerful support and interest in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa, O.Carm.
During 2019, we are reflecting on Mother Angeline Teresa as a Model of Prayer for Our Time as a theme. Anyone who knew Mother Angeline or has read any letter, conference or note that she wrote, will recognize that prayer and reflection were a constant in her life. Every project, every decision, every exhortation to her Sisters seems to be touched by her spirit of prayer. She constantly sought the guidance of God the Holy Spirit in all things. She invoked Mary and the Saints of Carmel as a source of inspiration for virtuous, religious living. She presented Christ, the compassionate Good Shepherd as the model of care for the aged and infirm. Every major moment in the life of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged & Infirm was wrapped in prayer – novenas of intercession and preparation, Masses of thanksgiving for graces and helps received. Those around her could see her devotion to, above all, the Mass and Holy Eucharist, to the rosary and scapular of Our Lady, and to the word of God, the Divine Office and the prayers that shaped her religious life, and that of her beloved daughters in Carmel. A deep and abiding trust and confidence in God grew through her time of prayer and union with her Beloved Spouse.
Prayer changes us, and we know this. How we stand before God and with God affects everything we say and do. A deep harmony between soul and body can be recognized in actions and attitudes. In today’s very fragmented world we need such a model as Mother Angeline. Prayer brought her charity, joy, peace and zeal. It was genuine and people noticed it. Each of us can learn from her wholeness and dedication to the Lord what marvels prayer can accomplish. Above all, it was the Venerable’s contemplative way of prayer that was so edifying and brought forth a radiance that can only come from faith and love.
Let us learn from Mother Angeline, a model of prayer, what great things come from the life of prayer, from the heart and hands of our Loving God. May the Lord and His Holy Mother be with you each day of this year. You are always in our thoughts and prayers and we remain grateful for your prayerful and financial support of the Cause. Please help us make Mother Angeline better known.
Very Reverend Mario Esposito, O.Carm.
Vice Postulator