Posted on 08/28/2009 10:01:35 AM PDT by Pyro7480
Exactly 447 years to the day that St. Teresa of Jesus founded the first convent of the Carmelite reform, a solemn Mass and blessing of the enclosure of a new Carmelite community took place at the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Elysburg.
The community of 11 Discalced Carmelite nuns arrived from Valparaiso, Neb., in April and came to the Diocese of Harrisburg due to a constant increase of vocations....
Father Joseph Howard of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, who will serve as chaplain at the monastery, celebrated the Mass. Those present included Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Msgr. Timothy Thorburn, Vicar General of the Diocese of Lincoln; Father William Waltersheid, Diocesan Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life; and Father Neil Sullivan, Director of the Diocesan Office of Worship.
“We are grateful now to have our enclosure since the last four months have been filled with preparations and renovations to the monastery,” said Mother Stella Marie, prioress. “It will be a great gift for us to return to our solitude and to continue our work.”
“We will be praying for all the people of the diocese,” she said. “We look forward to having the faithful come to our chapel for daily Mass. Please come, because you are welcome and you are welcome to leave your prayer intentions which we will offer during our Divine Office and Holy Mass.”
...Father William Waltershied called the nuns “a marvelous witness to a life of contemplative prayer. Their monastery will be a powerhouse of prayer. They will be praying for our diocese, our priests, all of our people in the diocese. Even though they are enclosed, they will be intimately involved in the lives of the people because they’re praying for us.”
(Excerpt) Read more at hbgdiocese.org ...
Brochures with information about the Discalced Carmelite community in Elysburg, as well as information on how to support them, can be found in parishes throughout the diocese. Prayer intentions can be sent to the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph at 430 Monastery Rd., Elysburg, Pa., 17824 or given via phone at 570-672-2122.
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades gives final blessing to the newly established cloistered community, the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Catholic ping!
Thanks for the info.
bumpus ad summum
Wonderful!
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