The final days of Advent

The "O" Antiphons of Advent

December 17 - O Wisdom, (O Sapientia) Who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, COME, and teach us the way of salvation.

December 18 - O Lord of Lords, (O Adonai) and Leader of the house of Israel, COME, and with outstretched arms redeem us.

December 19 - O Root of Jesse, (O Radix Jesse) Who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall pray, COME, to deliver us and delay not.

December 20 - O Key of David, (O Clavis David) and Scepter of the House of Israel, COME, and bring forth from his prison the captive that sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death.

December 21 - O Dawn of the East, (O Oriens) Brightness of the light eternal, COME, and enlighten them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

December 22 - O King of the Gentiles, (O Rex Gentium) and the desired of them, COME, and deliver man whom Thou didst form out of the dust of the earth.

December 23 - O Emmanuel, (O Emmanuel) God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of all the nations, COME, and save us, O Lord our God."


Each night from December 17 through December 23, after Compline, we process with an image of the Infant Jesus from the Chapel to the Friar's cell who is having his Day of Recollection on the following day. Singing the "O" Antiphon of the day and carrying lighted candles, we make our way through the monastery, asking Jesus to COME!

snow, snow and snow...

The Novices were able to enjoy lots of snow on their visit to St. Cecilia, Stanwood, Washington.

The new pastor of St. C's enjoys a cold day in Stanwood.

more Novitiate Tour

Novices visiting our parish in Stanwood, Washington - St. Cecilia.

The Novices enjoying the sites of the Great Northwest - Deception Pass on Whidbey Island.The Novices visiting with our good friend, Jo Koles and her son, John.
The Novices were on hand to share a Knight of Columbus evening and to witness our brother, Fr. Laurence, receive an award of recognition for service to the St. Cecilia Council.

Northern Novitiate Tour

As is our custom, the Novice Brothers have the privilege of visiting the houses of our Province during their Novitiate year. The last few days have taken them to the Northern part of our Province. First stop was a visit to our Nuns in Eugene, Oregon. From there it was on to Mount Angel Oregon. Next stop, Stanwood, Washington.

The Novices in front of the Abbey Church at their future seminary - Mount Angel.

The Novices with our good friends and benefactors in Mount Angel - the Westbrooks.

The Novices at Sacred Heart Church, Gervais, Oregon. This is where the Friars lived when they first arrived in Oregon in 1999.

Carmelite Kitchen

Our brothers can often be found assisting our Carmelite Nuns in whatever project they might be working on at the time. One recent autumn day found Fr. Adam and the novices assisting one community of our Sisters making applesauce for their Christmas sale.

And of course, wherever Carmelites gather, after the hard work there is also fraternal sharing over a meal.