Today we give thanks for all fathers, grandfathers, and those who share a father’s love in our families and communities.
In the Carmelite tradition, fatherhood is a reflection of God’s own tender care — guiding, protecting, and nurturing life with patience, strength, and love.
We especially remember St Joseph, foster father of Jesus and patron of the Carmelite family. St Teresa of Avila wrote:
“I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant… To other saints, our Lord seems to have given grace to succour us in some of our necessities, but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours us in them all.”
— St Teresa of Avila, The Book of Her Life, ch. 6
May this Father’s Day be a time of gratitude, blessing, and renewal for every fatherly heart.
Happy Father’s Day from the Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste.
You might like to pray this prayer for all the fathers you know.
Blessed are you, Lord and Father of all life,
for the gift of the fathers of our families.
Today we honour them, and we thank you
for all the good things that are ours because of them.
Their love for us has been a sign of your divine affection
and a sharing in your holy love.
Their continuous concern for our needs and welfare
is a mirror of your holy providence.
Bless those fathers who are separated from us by silence, injury or violence.
Lift the burdens of guilt and touch us with your healing and forgiveness.
We remember our fathers who are now with you.
May they who have shared their very life with us,
live forever with you, our God.
Bless our fathers this day with strength, happiness and good health.
May this blessing and all graces, we pray,
descend upon our fathers in your name,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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