Our Lady of Mercy

Welcome to Our Lady of Mercy Lay Carmelite Community . . . seeking God’s will
in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life.

About Carmel & Lay Carmelites

This section contains a brief overview of Carmel and the Lay Carmelites, plus information about the history of Carmel and a list of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds. You’ll also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Lay Carmelites.

Free Resources

Free access to lectures, documents, prayers, videos, essays, and other materials about Carmelite spirituality. Also included are links to our favorite resources about Catholicism and the Carmelite Order. You won’t want to miss the “Just-for-Fun” Quizes to test your knowledge of all things Carmelite.

News

The Carmelite Order is active and growing throughout the world. This section contains the latest news from the Order and from the Bay Area Region. Also included are details about two electronic newsletters for Lay Carmelites: the new e-Bulletin published by the Order, and the Carmelite Review, a quarterly newsletter published by the Carmelite Media Office of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary.

Members Area

The Members Area contains information to help our members participate in the life of the community. Here you’ll find announcements, the community calendar, events, Christian Prayer materials, a bibliography of Carmelite sources, and formation materials for all phases. You will also find lists of recommended and required reading for ongoing formation.

September 22 2020

On Weak Christians

God is faithful. He does not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
[Excerpt from a sermon on pastors by Saint Augustine.]

Read more about On Weak Christians

September 11 2020

The Stages of Contemplation

The whole of the spiritual life consists of these two elements: When we think of ourselves, we are perturbed and filled with a salutary sadness. And when we think of the Lord, we are revived to find consolation in the joy of the Holy Spirit. From the first we derive fear and humility, from the second hope and love.
[Excerpt from a homily by Saint Bernard.]

Read more about The Stages of Contemplation

Live Adoration Online

Live Adoration: EWTN Chapel — Available from 6 AM to 3 PM PT

Live Perpetual Adoration: Tyburn Convent, London — Available 24 hours a day. Click the “Picture-in-Picture” icon to keep a small window on your desktop so that you can adore whenever you are on your computer. Or click the “full screen” icon and set aside an hour to spend in adoration.