Holy Reflection Will Save You: Fidelity Under Fire

Carmelite SpiritualityEvents
Written By Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

Today Carmelites welcome a new saint as Pope Francis canonizes Blessed Titus Brandsma at Saint Peter's in Rome.

During a 2007 convocation of the Carmelite Institute in  Warwick, Rhode Island a talk was given about Titus Brandsma of the Netherlands with other Carmelite martyrs, victims of what we would now call "state terrorism". Titus appears alongside Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Servant of God Père Jacques of Jesus, and the Blessed Martyrs of Compiègne. They all drew strength in their diverse sufferings from abiding love for the Rule of Carmel.

Editor of The Sword at the time, Father William Harry illustrated the text of the talk with many interesting photos.  We offer it here to mark new Saint Titus Brandsma's passage to the "glory of the altars".

Carmelite Media has kindly given permission for publication on our blog page of this article that appeared in 2013 in the annual volume 73 (number 1) of The Sword, journal of the Most Pure Heart of Mary O. Carm. Province.

Fr. John Sullivan of Jesus Mary Joseph, O.C.D.

Fr. John obtained a doctoral degree in worship and sacramental theology from the Institut Catholique in 1973. He served two terms as provincial from 2008 to 2014 and is currently the chair of the Institute of Carmelite Studies. Fr. John resides in our monastery in Washington, DC.

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