Carmel teaches
the Church how to pray.

-Pope Francis & Pope Benedict XV

We offer Night Prayer for
every day of the Year.

Night Prayer
for the
Thirteenth Week
of Ordinary Time



“Meet your
Beloved
every day:
same time,
same place.”

Sister Albertina’s
Golden Rule
for Prayer:

Choose a time
and place
each day to pray:

Elige un momento y un lugar para rezar cada día:

Hymn of the Month

Festival Canticle
Vocals: Alondra Garza, Nick Ritacco and The Carmelite Friars

Musicians
Viola: Briana Bandy.
Cello: Cameron Stone.
Oboe & French Horn: Phil Feather.

Prayer Intention
of Pope Leo
for July 2026

For respect for human life.

Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.

Pray with
the Pope

Lord of life,

You created us in love and
called us to live in fullness.
Each person is a sacred gift
that reflects your face,
from the first instant of existence
to the final breath
of their journey on earth.
Today we ask for the grace to recognize and protect the unique and unrepeatable value
of every human being.

May we learn to welcome life unconditionally,
to tenderly care for fragility,
to accompany each stage
with respect,
and to bravely defend
those who have no voice.

Forgive us, Lord,
when we fall into indifference
or the culture of discard,
when we fail to see in others
a being worthy of love.
Give us a new heart,
always ready to choose life,
and generous hands
that protect it through
concrete actions.

Make your Church a living witness
of the Gospel of life,
an open home
where every life is celebrated,
where no one feels unwanted,
and where dignity
is always honored and protected.

Lord Jesus,
may we love life as You love it:
with tenderness, fidelity,
and self-giving.
May we proclaim,
in words and actions,
that every human life is worth
the total gift of ourselves.

Amen.

The Rosary

Multiple hands holding a rosary with a crucifix against a dark background.

Pray the Rosary
in English and Spanish
with the Carmelites here
or on SoundCloud.

Rece el Rosario
en inglés y español
con los Carmelitas aquí
o en SoundCloud.

Iconography:
“Windows into Heaven”

Praying with Spiritual Icons is an ancient practice still used by Eastern Rite Catholics and the Orthodox Church today. Icons present holy images and symbols that invite us to a still, contemplative space, deepening our connection with God. The Icons in our videos are intended to enhance the experience of praying the specific liturgy.

Icons are intentionally painted without realistic perspective or natural shadows. This stylistic choice is meant to pull the viewer out of ordinary, earthly time and invite them into the eternal presence of God.

Many of the Icons we use are written by Carmelite friars. The icons we share will change throughout the Church's liturgical seasons. We will do our best to briefly explain the symbols found in these icons and list resources for users who wish to learn more about the tradition of this sacred art form.

If praying with Icons interests you, here is a link to a guide that might be helpful. We also offer a simple format for Visio Divina on our Meditation Tools page.

Additional Reading
Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons
by Henri JM Nouwen

Praying with Icons
by Jim Forrest

The Open Door
by Frederica Mathewes-Green

Religious icon depicting the Nativity scene with Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus in a manger, angels, shepherds, wise men, animals, and other biblical figures.

“The Nativity”
Written by
Filiberto Oregel, O. Carm.

Christ the Pantocrator written by Bro. Daryl Moresco, O.Carm.

“Christ the Pantocrator”
Written by
Daryl Moresco, O. Carm.

Religious icon of "Christ of the Gospels." Written by Carmelite Filiberto Oregel, O.Carm.

“Christ of the Gospels”
Written by
Filiberto Oregel, O. Carm.

“Certainly, I find that the starting point for prayer
has to be a brief moment
of self-awareness:
an acknowledgment of how
I find myself right then —
peaceful…
troubled…
restless…
joyous…
preoccupied…
angry…
questioning…
Whatever the mood,
this is what I bring to prayer…[.]”

Upon This Mountain: Prayer in the Carmelite Tradition
by Mary McCormack, OCD.
Copyright 2009, Teresian Press