15 November: Commemoration of all the Departed of Our Order

November 15
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE DEPARTED OF OUR ORDER

Commemoration

When November 15 falls on a Sunday, the Commemoration is celebrated on the following day

Just as the love of Christ and the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary have brought us together in a single family, fraternal charity unites those of us still striving to lead a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ in this world, and those already awaiting the vision of God in purgatory. Today the whole Order commends our departed brothers and sisters to God’s mercy through the intercession of Our Lady, sure sign of hope and consolation, and begs for their admission to the courts of heaven.

All as in the Breviary for November 2, except the following:

Where the Vigil Office is celebrated

CANTICLES

Ant. The beauty of Carmel has been given to them; they will see the glory of the Lord and the splendor of our God.

Canticle I
Wisdom 3:1-6

The souls of the just are in the hands of God

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Now … let them rest from their labors (Revelation 14:13)

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, *
and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; *
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. *
But they are in peace.

For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, †
yet is their hope full of immortality; *
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them *
and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, *
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

Canticle II
Wisdom 3:7-9

The future glory of the just

The just shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43)

In the time of their visitation they shall shine *
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, *
and the LORD shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, *
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, *
and his care is with the elect.

Canticle III
Wisdom 10:17-21

God leads his people to deliverance

Those who had overcome the beast sang the canticle of Moses, the servant of God, and the canticle of the Lamb (Revelation 15:2, 3)

God gave the holy ones the recompense of their labors, *
conducted them by a wondrous road,
and became a shelter for them by day *
and a starry flame by night.

He took them across the Red Sea *
and brought them through the deep waters—
but their enemies he overwhelmed, *
and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.

herefore the righteous despoiled the wicked; †
and they sang, O Lord, your holy name *
and praised in unison your conquering hand—
because Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, *
and gave ready speech to infants

Gospel (Alternative 1)
Jn 12:23–26

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

If a grain of wheat dies, it yields a rich harvest

Jesus said to his disciples:

Now the hour has come
for the Son of Man to be glorified.
I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honor him.

Gospel (Alternative 2)
Jn 14:1–6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

There are many rooms in my Father’s house

Jesus said to his disciples:

Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.

Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said:

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.

The TE DEUM is not said.

Prayer

Lord,
you are the glory of those who serve you.
Look lovingly on our departed brothers and sisters,
united in following Christ and his Mother
by the waters of baptism and the bonds of Carmel.
In your mercy
grant them everlasting sight of you,
their Creator and Redeemer.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Ego sum resurrectio et vita: I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) This art deco cross overlooks the garden in what was once the monastery cemetery at the Discalced Carmelite nuns monastery in Indianapolis, now Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary | Corey Bruns / Flickr

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#AllCarmeliteSouls #Commemoration #DiscalcedCarmelite #LiturgyOfTheHours

All Carmelite Saints & Souls: Descendants of the Hermits

All of us who wear this holy habit of Carmel are called to prayer and contemplation. This explains our origin; we are the descendants of those who felt this call, of those holy fathers on Mount Carmel who in such great solitude and contempt for the world sought this treasure, this precious pearl of contemplation that we are speaking about.

Saint Teresa of Avila
The Interior Castle, V, 1

Introduction

Every November 14 and 15, Carmelites worldwide unite to celebrate the feast of All Carmelite Saints and the Commemoration of All Carmelite Souls. The saints and souls of Carmel are more than individual examples of holiness; they are descendants of the holy hermits of Mount Carmel, whose vocation to prayer, poverty, and humility remains the heart of the Carmelite identity.

The Call to Prayer and Contemplation

The Carmelite vocation is deeply rooted in prayer and contemplation, tracing its origins to the 13th-century hermits of Mount Carmel. These early Carmelites sought God in solitude and silence, dedicating their lives to finding the “precious pearl of contemplation.” For them, poverty and humility were not just disciplines but pathways to a profound encounter with the living God.

The saints of Carmel, honored on November 14, embody this calling. Their lives remind us that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary but is accessible to those who seek God with humility, trust, and devotion. The feast of All Carmelite Saints calls us to emulate their example as we journey toward union with God.

The Hidden Saints of Carmel

The feast of All Carmelite Saints celebrates the countless members of the Order who, though not formally recognized as saints, lived faithfully in allegiance to Jesus Christ. Blessed Anne of Jesus, one of the early companions of St. Teresa of Avila and a foundress of Carmel in France, encouraged the first novices in Pontoise with this powerful statement:

“You have entered an Order so holy and perfect, that by keeping its rules and constitutions faithfully, one will go directly from her deathbed to her home in heaven.”

These hidden saints are proof that holiness does not require extraordinary works but simple faithfulness to one’s vocation, trust in God, and dedication to prayer and penance.

St. Thérèse and the Path of Trust

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church, provided a definitive teaching on God’s mercy that resonates deeply on these feasts. She believed holiness was accessible to all, not through great deeds but through trust and love. As she once reassured Sr. Marie of the Trinity:

“Yes! God is so good. He will know how He can come and get you. But despite this, try to be faithful, so that He does not wait in vain for your love.”

Thérèse’s confidence in God’s mercy extended even to difficult conversations. When confronted by Sr. Marie Fébronie, who considered her teachings on trust presumptuous, Thérèse lovingly replied:

“If you look for the justice of God, you will get it. The soul will receive from God exactly what it desires.”

This teaching highlights a key point: God is more Father than Judge. Thérèse’s “Little Way” invites all of us to approach God with childlike trust, confident in His infinite, merciful love.

Prayer, Penance, and the Communion of Saints

November 15, the Commemoration of All Carmelite Souls, invites us to exercise fraternal charity by praying for our deceased brothers and sisters. In the communion of saints, we are bound together across time and space.

As the Carmelite breviary reminds us:

“The love of Christ and the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary have brought us together in a single family.”

Our prayers for all the departed of the Carmelite family reflect this familial bond, uniting us with those who are being prepared to see God face to face. This call to solidarity is a cornerstone of Carmelite spirituality.

The Path of Poverty, Humility, and Trust

The holy hermits of Mount Carmel modeled a way of life that remains the heart of the Carmelite vocation. Their lives of poverty and humility led them to the ultimate treasure: the enjoyment of God. For Carmelites today, this path continues to inspire.

As Blessed Anne of Jesus said, faithfulness to the Carmelite Rule and Constitutions can lead directly to heaven. And St. Thérèse, echoing this confidence, reminds us that trust in God’s mercy transforms our journey into one of love.

Her words, “Trust, and nothing but trust, must lead us to love,” are an enduring reminder of the simplicity and beauty of the Carmelite way.

Conclusion

The liturgies for the feast of All Carmelite Saints and the commemoration of All Carmelite Souls are a time to reflect on the interconnectedness of the Carmelite family and the timeless call to holiness. From the hermits of Mount Carmel to the hidden saints and souls we commemorate in our day and age, the Carmelite legacy invites all of us to embrace a life of prayer, humility, and trust.

To explore these themes further, discover the YouTube episode embedded below, where we reflect on how prayer, penance, and trust define the Carmelite path to union with God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B86sy0OS2z0

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Thérèse of Lisieux, S & Clarke, J 1988, General Correspondence: Letters of Saint Therese of Lisieux: Volume 2 1890-1897. Centenary ed., Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington DC.

Featured image: Carmelites are constantly reminded that we are descendants of hermits who also were killed in hatred of the faith on Mount Carmel in 1291. The Martyrdom of the Carmelites is a wall painting executed in 1517 by Jörg Ratgeb (German, c. 1480–1526) in the Carmelite Cloister of Frankfurt, Germany. Photo credit: Web Gallery of Art (Public Domain).

#AllCarmeliteSaints #AllCarmeliteSouls #BlessedAnneOfJesus #Carmelite #DiscalcedCarmelite #love #prayer #StTeresaOfAvila #StThereseOfLisieux

14 November: ALL SAINTS OF OUR ORDER

The whole family of Carmel in the homeland, with Mary its Mother at its head, is the reason for our joy and praise to the Father on this day. We recall our brothers and sisters who once dedicated t…

Carmelite Quotes

15 November: Commemoration of all the Departed of Our Order

November 15
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE DEPARTED OF OUR ORDER

Commemoration

When November 15 falls on a Sunday, the Commemoration is celebrated on the following day

Just as the love of Christ and the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary have brought us together in a single family, fraternal charity unites those of us still striving to lead a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ in this world, and those already awaiting the vision of God in purgatory. Today the whole Order commends our departed brothers and sisters to God’s mercy through the intercession of Our Lady, sure sign of hope and consolation, and begs for their admission to the courts of heaven.

All as in the Breviary for November 2, except the following:

Where the Vigil Office is celebrated

CANTICLES

Ant. The beauty of Carmel has been given to them; they will see the glory of the Lord and the splendor of our God.

Canticle I
Wisdom 3:1-6

The souls of the just are in the hands of God

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Now … let them rest from their labors (Revelation 14:13)

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, *
and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; *
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. *
But they are in peace.

For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, †
yet is their hope full of immortality; *
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them *
and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, *
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

Canticle II
Wisdom 3:7-9

The future glory of the just

The just shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43)

In the time of their visitation they shall shine *
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, *
and the LORD shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, *
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, *
and his care is with the elect.

Canticle III
Wisdom 10:17-21

God leads his people to deliverance

Those who had overcome the beast sang the canticle of Moses, the servant of God, and the canticle of the Lamb (Revelation 15:2, 3)

God gave the holy ones the recompense of their labors, *
conducted them by a wondrous road,
and became a shelter for them by day *
and a starry flame by night.

He took them across the Red Sea *
and brought them through the deep waters—
but their enemies he overwhelmed, *
and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.

herefore the righteous despoiled the wicked; †
and they sang, O Lord, your holy name *
and praised in unison your conquering hand—
because Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, *
and gave ready speech to infants

Gospel (Alternative 1)
Jn 12:23–26

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

If a grain of wheat dies, it yields a rich harvest

Jesus said to his disciples:

Now the hour has come
for the Son of Man to be glorified.
I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honor him.

Gospel (Alternative 2)
Jn 14:1–6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

There are many rooms in my Father’s house

Jesus said to his disciples:

Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.

Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said:

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.

The TE DEUM is not said.

Prayer

Lord,
you are the glory of those who serve you.
Look lovingly on our departed brothers and sisters,
united in following Christ and his Mother
by the waters of baptism and the bonds of Carmel.
In your mercy
grant them everlasting sight of you,
their Creator and Redeemer.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Ego sum resurrectio et vita: I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) This art deco cross overlooks the garden in what was once the monastery cemetery at the Discalced Carmelite nuns monastery in Indianapolis, now Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary | Corey Bruns / Flickr

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#AllCarmeliteSouls #Commemoration #DiscalcedCarmelite #LiturgyOfTheHours

John 11:25 - Bible Gateway

November 15
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE DEPARTED OF OUR ORDER
Commemoration

When November 15 falls on a Sunday, the Commemoration is celebrated on the following day

Today the whole Carmelite family commends our departed brothers and sisters to God’s mercy through the intercession of Our Lady, sure sign of hope and consolation, and begs for their admission to the courts of heaven.

#AllCarmeliteSouls #AllSouls #prayers #hope #heaven #Carmelites