Pray for the Carmelite Saints' Intercession
Discover the profound spirituality of the Carmelite Saints and connect with their powerful intercession. Through their lives and prayers, we can find inspiration and guidance to fill ourselves with the glory of God.
Carmelite spirituality speaks to the heart. It is in essence, recognizing the deep desire that resides in each person, the desire and hunger for God, whether they know it or not. Carmelites want to see God now. And prayer is that open door through which one begins to enter in, to see and experience the depths that can be explored within each soul, simply because God dwells in each human heart.
Carmel offers something extraordinary to the ordinary people of today. They come to see that God is walking right alongside them, that He enters the messiness of our lives and transforms it in the process. One begins to see with St. Therese how holiness comes to life in the little things. To be a Carmelite is to be like the prophet Elijah who said, “With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord, God of Hosts”. To be a Carmelite is to be like the Blessed Mother who said, “Let it be done unto me according to Your word.” Seeming opposites. Activity. Passivity. Yet together, a spirituality that speaks of strength and gentleness, great passion and discipline. It speaks in all things of great love.
Intercessory prayers to Carmelite saints call on the spiritual guidance and protection of the order's holy figures, such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Ávila, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. These prayers seek grace, deeper faith, and help with life's specific trials.
Intercession to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
"O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.
Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for me and guide my steps.
Amen."
Saint Teresa of Ávila: founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order
Saint Teresa of Ávila, a towering figure in Christian mysticism, founded the Discalced Carmelite Order. Her profound spiritual wisdom teaches us that "Praying is to fill yourself of God to allow others to see Him through you." Her dedication to prayer and reform continues to inspire countless souls to seek a deeper relationship with God.
Prayer for intercession:
O glorious Saint Teresa, whose heart burned with divine love, intercede for us that we may also be filled with God's presence, allowing His light to shine through us in all our words and actions.
Amen.
"O Seraphic St. Teresa, you who were blessed with a profound interior life and an unshakeable resolve to follow Christ, intercede for me. Help me to overcome my spiritual struggles and teach me how to sit quietly as a friend of God.
Grant me the courage to be a faithful witness to His love, and obtain for me the grace I now ask [mention intention]. Let nothing disturb me, let nothing frighten me. All things pass, God never changes. Patience obtains all.
Amen."
Saint John of the Cross: co-founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order
Saint John of the Cross, co-founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order alongside Saint Teresa, is renowned for his mystical writings on the soul's journey to God. His teachings guide us through the dark night of the soul towards divine union, emphasizing the transformative power of spiritual discipline and love.
Prayer for intercession:
Saint John of the Cross, mystic and guide to divine union, pray for us that we may persevere through trials, seeking God above all else, and experience the profound joy of His presence.
Amen.
O Glorious St. John of the Cross, through your writings and your own 'dark night of the soul', you showed us how to surrender entirely to God's transformational love. I ask for your intercession to help me carry my crosses with faith, trust, and a peaceful heart. Obtain for me the grace of deep detachment from worldly things and a burning desire for union with the Divine.
Amen.
Saint Teresa of the Andes: the youngest Carmelite saint- from Chile.
Saint Teresa of the Andes, the youngest Carmelite saint, lived a short but intensely spiritual life in Chile. Her simple devotion and profound love for God serve as a beautiful example for all, especially the youth. She teaches us that holiness is attainable at any age through complete surrender to divine will.
Prayer for intercession:
Beloved Saint Teresa of the Andes, whose life shone brightly with youthful zeal and love for Christ, intercede for us, especially the young, that we may embrace our faith with joy and live lives devoted to God.
Amen.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: patron of missions
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the "Little Flower," developed her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood, emphasizing the importance of doing small things with great love. Though she never left her convent, she is the patron of missions, inspiring countless faithful through her writings and example of humble, persistent love for God.
Prayer for intercession:
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, patron of missions, who taught us the "Little Way," pray for us that we may perform every action, no matter how small, with overflowing love for God and neighbor, and spread His message to all corners of the earth.
Amen.
"St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, please pick a rose for me from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I implore [mention your intention], and help me to believe in His great love for me so that I might imitate your 'Little Way' in all things.Help me to always do ordinary things with extraordinary love.
Amen."
“Let us love, since our heart is made for nothing else.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Glorify God through your words and actions
Through the intercession of these holy Carmelite saints, we are called to fill ourselves with the glory of God. Let their lives inspire you to live in such a way that others may praise and glorify Him through your words and actions. May their prayers guide you on your spiritual journey.
NOVENA TO THE CARMELITE SAINTS
Novena to All Carmelite Saints
Novena prayer to be said daily.
Prayer taken from Carmelite Proper, November 14, Feast of All Carmelite Saints
Lord, may the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother,
and the prayers of all the Saints of Carmel
help us to walk steadfastly in their footsteps,
and by our prayers and good works
ever further the cause of Your Church.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
DAY 1
November 5th
“O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin…I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.”
~ Flos Carmeli – prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Feast Day: July 16
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the patroness of both branches of the Carmelite order – O.Carm. and the Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.).
Prayer:
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
DAY 2
November 6th
“Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again”
St. Elijah, 1 Kings 18:36-37
Feast Day: July 20
Old Testament prophet, through whom God worked many miracles including bringing down fire from the sky. He is considered the spiritual father of the Carmelite Order.
Prayer:
Almighty, ever-living God, your prophet, Elijah [our Father] lived always in your presence and was zealous for the honor due to your name. May we, your servants, always seek your face and bear witness to your love.
St. Elijah, pray for us!
DAY 3
November 7th
“Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much… Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.”
St. Terea of Jesus (Ávila)
Feast Day: October 15
Spanish mystic and reformer of the Carmelite Order, who, together with St. John of the Cross, established the Discalced Carmelites. St. Teresa is a Doctor of the Church.
Prayer:
Father, by your spirit you raised up [our Mother] St. Teresa of Ávila to show your Church the way to perfection. May her inspired teaching awaken in us a true longing for holiness
St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us!
DAY 4
November 8th
“In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.”
St. John of the Cross
Feast Day: December 14
Spanish priest and mystic known for his writings, particularly his Dark Night of the Soul which is considered among the greatest in Christian literature. Together with St. Teresa of Ávila, he was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and established the Discalced Carmelites. St. John of the Cross is a Doctor of the Church.
Prayer:
Lord, you endowed [our Father] St. John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
St. John of the Cross, pray for us!
“What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God … for the language He best hears is silent love.”
St. John of the Cross
DAY 5
November 9th
“Our Lord does not so much look at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Feast Day: October 1
A French, Discalced Carmelite nun, who, at the request of her religious superiors wrote her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, in which she explains her simple approach to holiness and spirituality, known as The Little Way. St. Thérèse is a Doctor of the Church.
Prayer:
God, our Father, you have promised your kingdom to those who are willing to become like little children. Help us to follow the way of St. Thérèse with confidence so that by her prayers we may come to know your eternal glory.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us!
DAY 6
November 10th
“I am happy and shall never cease to be so because I belong to my God. I find in Him my heaven and an eternal immutable love.”
St. Teresa of the Andes
Feast Day: July 13
The first Chilean saint canonized in March 1993. As a child, she read The Story of Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, which awakened within her the desire to dedicate her life to God alone. At age 19, she became a Carmelite and devoted her days to prayer and sacrifice. Teresa wrote countless letters in which she shared her thoughts on the spiritual life with many people. She contracted typhus and because her health deteriorated so rapidly, was permitted to make her final vows. She died during Holy Week at age 19.
Prayer:
God of mercy, joy of the saints, you set the youthful heart of Saint Teresa ablaze with the fire of virginal love for Christ and for his Church; and even in suffering you made her a cheerful witness to charity. Through her intercession, fill us with the delights of your Spirit, so that we may proclaim by word and deed the joyful message of your love to the world.
St. Teresa of the Andes, pray for us!
DAY 7
November 11th
“For by doing what God demands of us with total surrender of our innermost being, we cause the divine life to become our own inner life. Entering into ourselves, we find God in our own selves.”
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Feast Day: August 9
Edith Stein was a German philosopher and agnostic, who upon reading the works of St. Teresa of Ávila, felt drawn to the Christian faith, eventually becoming a Catholic convert and Discalced Carmelite nun. With her sister, Rosa, she died in a gas chamber at the Auschwitz concentration camp in August 1942.
Prayer:
God of our Fathers, who brought the martyr St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross to know your crucified Son and to imitate Hi until death, grant through her intercession, that the whole huma race may acknowledge Christ as its Savior and through Him come to behold you for eternity. Who lives ad reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us!
DAY 8
November 12th
“Make my soul…Your cherished dwelling place, Your home of rest. Let me never leave You there alone, but keep me there all absorbed in You, in living faith, adoring You.”
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Feast Day: November 8
A Discalced Carmelite nun in Dijon, France, a mystic and spiritual writer, St. Elizabeth had a profound love for the Blessed Trinity and wrote extensively about the indwelling of the Trinity in each soul. She died at the age of 26 of Addison’s disease.
Prayer:
O God of bountiful mercy, you revealed to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity the mystery of your secret presence in the hearts of those who love you, and you chose her to adore you in spirit and in truth. Through her intercession, may we also abide in the love of Christ that we may merit to be transformed into temples of your life-giving Spirit to the praise of your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, pray for us!
DAY 9
November 13th
“I see God working within the work of His hands and the revelation of His love.”
St. Titus Brandsma, O. Carm.
Feast Day: July 27
Born in the Netherlands, Titus grew up in a small farming village and knew from an early age that he had a religious vocation. He initially applied with the Franciscans at age 11 but after seven years was declined due to health reasons. He then joined the Carmelites and was ordained in 1905. Titus spoke out against Nazi ideology and when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in 1940, he quickly came to their attention. He was arrested and in June 1942 was moved to Dachau where his already fragile health rapidly deteriorated. He endured medical experimentation with the other prisoners. Titus was executed by lethal injection on July 26, 1942.
Prayer:
Lord our God, source and giver of life, you gave to St. Titus the spirit of courage to proclaim human dignity and the freedom of the Church, even in the throes of degrading persecution and death. Grant us that same Spirit so that in the coming of your kingdom of justice and peace we might never be ashamed of the Gospel but be enabled to recognize your loving kindness in all the events of our lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever
St. Titus Brandsma, O. Carm., pray for us!
Litany to all Carmelite Saints
Over the centuries, the Carmelite order has been blessed with many holy men and women who walked their earthly pilgrimage, eyes focused on God, desiring only to do His holy will. They serve as spiritual companions, offering wisdom and encouragement to help guide us along our own journey. They also stand ready as powerful intercessors on our behalf, bringing our petitions before the throne of God.
November 14th is the Feast of All Carmelite Saints. During the nine days leading up to this feast, we will pray a novena, highlighting one of these Carmelite saints each day. Each saint shares insights to encourage us over the course of our earthly journey and remind us that it is prayer through which we nurture and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. So that one day, we may join our voice with theirs, echoing the words of St. Paul: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His appearance” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Opening prayer:
O beautiful flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure Virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother!
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us,
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Our Lady, Queen and Beauty of Carmel, pray for us.
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, pray for us.
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Protector of Our Order, pray for us.
Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary and protectors of our Order, pray for us.
Our holy father, the Prophet Elijah, who by your prayer and contemplation laid the foundation of our Order on Carmel, pray for us.
Saint Elisha, who preserved the spirit of Elijah on Carmel, pray for us.
Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus, reformer of Carmel, Doctor of the Church, full of heavenly wisdom, pray for us.
St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church, and sure guide in the mystical life, pray for us.
St. Simon Stock, privileged servant of Mary, pray for us.
St. Albert, our most wise lawgiver and director, pray for us.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, teacher of the “Little Way,” Doctor of the Church, and Patroness of the Missions, pray for us.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, finding your Heaven in the indwelling God, pray for us.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, daughter of Israel, of the Church and of Carmel, pray for us.
St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes, ablaze with a youthful fire of virginal love for Christ, pray for us.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, parents of St. Therese and model for all parents, pray for us.
St. Berthold, who united the dwellers on Carmel into one ecclesiastical Order of Mary, pray for us.
St. Brocard, great zealot for the observance of religious discipline, pray for us.
St. Peter Thomas, great servant of Mary, who strengthened you in martyrdom, pray for us.
Bl. Denis and Redemptus, who through your zeal earned the martyr’s crown, pray for us.
St. Andrew Corsini, wonderful peacemaker and lover of the poor, pray for us.
Bl. Angelus Augustine, marvel of eloquence in preaching the Word of God, pray for us.
Bl. John Soreth, burning with love for the observance of the Rule, pray for us.
Bl. Frances of Amboise, noble by birth, but nobler in virtue and confidence in God, pray for us.
Bl. Mary of the Incarnation, lover of real meekness, pray for us.
Bl. Anne of Saint Bartholomew, one with Teresa in the reform of Carmel, pray for us.
Bl. Mary of the Angels, like to the angels in innocence and purity, pray for us.
Bl. Teresa of St. Augustine and Companions of Compiegne, martyrs for Christ in the French Revolution, pray for us.
St. Teresa Margaret Redi, great lover and humble disciple of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.
St. Maria Maravillas of Jesus, filled with passionate zeal for God’s glory and the salvation of souls, pray for us.
Bl. Maria Mercedes Prat, rooted in love and martyr in the Spanish Civil War, pray for us.
St. Henry de Osso y Cervello, apostle to young people and teacher of the Gospel, pray for us.
St. Raphael Kalinowski, zealous for Church unity and spiritual director of both Catholics and Orthodox, pray for us.
Bl. Francis Palau, missionary preacher spreading love for Our Lady wherever you went, pray for us.
Bl. Josepha Naval Girbes, secular Carmelite devoted to building up God’s kingdom, pray for us.
St. Titus Brandsma, priest, educator and defender of truth, and martyr of the Holocaust, pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, on fire with love for God and victim of crucified love, pray for us.
Bl. Mariam of Jesus Crucified, virgin and mystic, the Little Arab and Lily of Palestine, pray for us.
Bl. Anne of Jesus, foundress of Carmel in France, pray for
Pope St. John Paul II, pray for us.
Venerable Mother Luisita, pray for us.
All you holy men and women who by your virtues have given glory to Carmel, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, all you Saints of Carmel,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Lord, may the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, and the prayers of all the saints of Carmel, help us to walk steadfastly in their footsteps, and by their prayers and good works ever further the cause of Your Church. We ask this through Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
AMEN.