On the 9 days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16 July), we pray for the following intentions for all those in need throughout the world. The novena can be prayed at any time of the year for these intentions or for your own asking Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede and pray with us. You are invited to light a candle each day, reflect with the intention and prayer, and spend a few moments in silence with Our Lady. The prayers and images below can be downloaded pdf here.

"In the heart of suffering, we find the gentle whisper of God’s presence." As Carmelites, we are called to a life of prayer, contemplation, and compassion, walking alongside those who suffer, as Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, did at the foot of the Cross.

As if to balance the rejection Jesus experienced in last week’s Gospel, this week’s episode tells two stories of people who welcome his message.

Firstly, an enthusiastic crowd has gathered on the shore of the lake, eagerly pressing forward to hear Jesus’ teaching. Jesus seems to be in danger of being crushed or at least being pushed into the sea! He takes the unusual step of teaching from Simon’s boat.

Today’s Gospel tells us the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. During the presentation, two holy people, Simeon and Anna, witness to Jesus as the “light of the nations”. So, it is the Church’s custom to celebrate this feast with the blessing and lighting of candles - a reference to the Christmas theme of light. The candles can serve as a reminder that Christ, our Light, is always present with us.

Homecomings can turn out to be very mixed events. Initial warmth and welcome can turn, surprisingly quickly, to doubt, antagonism and rejection.

In the Gospels for this Sunday and next, Luke tells the story of Jesus’ visit to his hometown of Nazareth.

Join Us in the Year of Jubilee 2025!

The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are excited to embrace the call of Pope Francis as we celebrate the Year of Jubilee 2025, a time for renewal, hope, and unity in faith. This extraordinary year, guided by the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, reminds us of the enduring power of Christ's love in a world yearning for peace.

Approximately 1,000 people attended the ordinations of Deacon Silvestre Alves O.Carm. to the priesthood and Brother Agostinho Dos Santos O.Carm. to the diaconate on Saturday 9 November.

Pope Francis has calls today, 7 October, a day of prayer and fasting for peace.

This week Frs Laurie Timms and Paul Cahill are celebrating the 50^th anniversaries of their priestly Ordination.

On the 9 days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16 July), we pray for the following intentions for all those in need throughout the world. The novena can be prayed at any time of the year for these intentions or for your own asking Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede and pray with us. The prayers and intentions can be downloaded pdf here.

Today’s Gospel opens with the chaotic scene of a huge crowd gathered around the house where Jesus is. It’s such a busy scene that Jesus and the disciples have no time even to have a meal.

This spectacle provokes both the relatives of Jesus and some scribes from Jerusalem into action. The relatives think Jesus is mad; the scribes think he is possessed.

36 Friars, Lay Carmelites and representatives of our ministries in Australia and Timor-Leste gathered in Melbourne this week for a Provincial Assembly. 

Since 2022 the Carmelites of Sacred Heart Church at Kayutangan, Malang, Indonesia, have welcomed Muslims for Eid prayers.

Happy International Women’s Day!

We give thanks for all women who have nurtured and nourished the world in so many different ways across the centuries. We pray for all those who experience discrimination, fear and violence. Inspired by the example of Carmelite women may we work for justice, peace, healing and equality for the women of the world.

The Carmelites have restarted their Vocation Accompaniment program in Timor-Leste.

On 7 January Fr Bruce Clark (Prior Provincial) admitted 9 young Carmelites in Timor-Leste to the ministries of Lector (Reader) and Acolyte (Server).

On Sunday 3 November, the first Sunday of Advent, 19 young Carmelites renewed their vows in St Elias community, Hera, Timor-Leste.

Another attempt to trap Jesus is contained in the Gospel this Sunday. Opinions and arguments about which was the greatest commandment were common among the Pharisees and questions about it were frequently asked of rabbis. Clearly, those who asked this question of Jesus were trying to disconcert or ‘wrong foot’ Jesus in an attempt to discredit him with his reply.

What is on display in this story from Matthew’s Gospel is not Jesus’ clever reply, but the image of God he presents.

Carmelites were present at the Ignite Conference in Brisbane, a youth and young adult festival held over 3 days, 21-24 September.