It was during the Advent season when the Dayton OCDS Community gathered together for the Rite of Making the Promise/Vows. The Spiritual Assistant of the community, Fr. John MacQuarrie, delivered a homily touching on many Carmelite themes.

Since this also occurred on Gaudete Sunday , rejoicing in the Lord ,as spoken by St. Paul, was clearly on everyone’s mind.  In Romans, he says our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. For those making promises and vows, they take those words to heart.

Fr. MacQuarrie then shares the joyful account of the miraculous healing of little Benedicta McCarthy through the intercession of our dear Carmelite, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also known as Edith Stein.

Finally, our attention is drawn to points of the Carmelite rule to apply to our everyday lives as well as our mission in Carmel. 

In summary, we are all called to be a beacon of light to all around us, letting the light of Christ shine through us like a stained glass window.