Carmel teaches
the Church how to pray.
-Pope Francis & Pope Benedict XV
We offer Night Prayer for
every day of the Year.
Twenty-first Sunday
in Ordinary Time
August 23, 2026
Saturday August 22nd
Sunday August 23rd
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer II
Night Prayer
The Gospel Reading
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah
or one of the prophets."
He said to them,
"But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you,
Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood
has not revealed this to you,
but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock
I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys
to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven."
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ. — Matthew 14:13-20
“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
Musicians
Viola: Briana Bandy.
Cello: Cameron Stone.
Oboe & French Horn: Phil Feather.
Prayer Intention
of Pope Leo
for August 2026
For evangelization in the city.
Let us pray that in large cities, often marked by anonymity and loneliness, we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel and discover creative paths to build community.
Pray with
the Pope
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd,
You walk through our streets and squares,
enter tall buildings and humble neighborhoods,
and silently accompany millions
who seek meaning amid noise and haste.
You know, Lord, the heart of the city:
its lights and shadows, its noise and loneliness.
We know that cities are called to be places of freedom and opportunity,
but they can also become spaces of anonymity and isolation.
That’s why today we ask You for a renewed gaze,
able to discover in urban life
fertile ground for proclaiming your Gospel.
Give us a creative and deep faith,
that doesn’t remain in words,
but becomes flesh through simple and loving gestures.
Make us a Church that goes forth,
able to reach out to the peripheries,
to console those who are lonely,
and to sow fraternity and connection instead of giving in to indifference.
Lord, may our urban communities
be open and welcoming homes,
places where hope is shared,
where no one feels invisible,
and where the joy of your Gospel shines
in the hidden lives of so many brothers and sisters.
Make us your witnesses in the city,
bold and creative missionaries,
who proclaim your Love with their lives—
a Love capable of overcoming haste, noise, and anonymity.
Amen.
The Rosary
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
“The Nativity”
Written by
Filiberto Oregel, O. Carm.
“Christ the Pantocrator”
Written by
Daryl Moresco, 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

