The Heroic Sacrifice of the Discalced Carmelites of Compiègne

[Malachi]

In November 1792, a small group of Discalced Carmelite nuns of Compiègne began reciting a prayer every day, offering themselves for the salvation of France. Their prayer was answered.

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Flipping through the annals of history, there are moments when women religious entered into the course of human events. One case is the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne. Many have heard of them, but may not know that their sacrifice may have helped bring the Reign of Terror to an end.

It all began with a dream. In 1693, a 29-year-old disabled lay woman boarding in the Carmel of Compiègne dreamt of Jesus escorted by His mother, St Teresa of Avila, and two other Carmelites connected with the monastery. After receiving personal instructions about her own vocation, she then beheld a vision in which a number of Carmelites were being chosen “to follow the Lamb”. READ FULL STORY HERE