Dear Readers of the Carmelite Review,

History describes how Saint Louis (1214-1270), King of France, while on his Crusade (circa 1250), was overtaken by a storm at the foot of Mount Carmel and heard bells ringing, calling the local hermits for the night hours. He took refuge from the storm and joined these hermits in their prayers. These were some of the first Carmelites. Upon his departure he took six Carmelites with him to establish a monastery in Paris.

This story is recounted by Blessed Titus Brandsma (Dutch Carmelite, beatified in 1986) in his Carmelite Mysticism Historical Sketches. Now you’re asking, “so what is the connection of this story to the Carmelite Review?”

In many ways, you may be like King Saint Louis. You may have prayed with the Carmelites, worked with the Carmelites, or even taken shelter with the Carmelites, and now you want to carry the Carmelites with you. And this is where the Carmelite Review comes in.

The Review gives you news of what we, the Carmelites, are doing—new church buildings, new books and articles, ordinations, vocation retreats, new ventures, workshops and seminars. Through the Review, old friends are re-acquainted and maybe new friends are introduced. With the Review you are not only taking six Carmelites with you like King Saint Louis; instead, you’re taking the whole bunch of us!

Now I have a request—I’m asking the readers of the Review for their financial support. Can you donate $5 to offset the cost of publishing the Review? Yes, each $5 goes a long way to offset the printing and the mailing. Of course, this appeal is purely “free will”—this is not a subscription drive. If you cannot support the appeal at this time, your subscription will continue.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for your notes of encouragement or your compliments regarding the Review. I’ve learned so much being the editor, and I’ve heard from so many of you. Allow me to express my appreciation with the words of Saint Paul:

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glor y forever and ever. Amen. [Philippians 4:18-20]

By the way, you can substitute your own name for the name of Epaphroditus in the above quotation.

Yours, in Carmel,

Rev. Gregory P. Houck, O.Carm.
Editor