Have any of you discerned with the Carmel of JMJ in Valparaiso, NE? I have seen their site, on the Las Vegas Marian Center's site, and their monastery is incredible. They pray the Tridentine Divine Office and Mass, with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter as their chaplains. I thought I read somewhere, that there are 19 nuns there now, with many applicants. Have any of you been there, or know more about this community?

I'd love to visit personally... it sounds absolutely wonderful there... and they can only have 21 sisters at a time unless they get a dispensation (?) to allow more... then they have to start a new foundation...

I know that Raphael lived out there and has been there I believe... at least that is what it seemed like from the way he talked about it...

I'd just love to visit just to experience it all!

Or rather, not many applicants, but visitors I mean. I read this in some article online, so I never considered writing to this Carmel, as it most likely is full ..

I emailed a lady at the Las Vegas Marian Center, and she sent me a very nice reply. I was just asking if she happened to know if they were full, as everyone associated with Mother Angelica's PCPAs knows they are full down there now. She said to contact the Reverend Mother, but just to leave the door open so that Jesus can work through you. (maybe that means, new foundations .. )

She said they, the Marian Center, I believe, are so grateful for the abundance of interest.

I definitely wouldn't be surprised if they are full. I'm sure many who love especially the Latin Mass, immediately flocked to this Carmel, maybe the only Carmel in the world, or at least the US, to be an Ecclesia Dei Carmel.

I'm thinking of so many different communities these days, I'm not sure where God wants me. I was thinking of this Carmel a year or so ago, but thought, no, it must be full by now. Maybe they will have another foundation .. who knows ..

I'm thinking of so many different communities these days, I'm not sure where God wants me. I was pretty sure it wasn't Carmel a couple years ago, but I'm not sure ... There are no Carthusians in America .. there are the Srs of Bethlehem, but actually, they currently have a bit of a vocation crisis themselves at the moment, with too many, I just found out from a priest who went there ... will keep this updated on the Sr of Bethlehem thread, as I find out more ... But for them, you can always go to one of their many monasteries, but not in the US ..

But then I'm seriously considering the PCCs too .. And also the Carthusians still .. but would the language and culture difference be too difficult of an obstacle ? ...

I was thinking of this Carmel a year or so ago, but thought, no, it must be full by now. Maybe they will have another foundation .. who knows ..

Here's the Las Vegas Marian Center's site, they are featured on .. http://www.lasvegasmariancenter.com/carmel.htm

The clothing of Sr. Maria Pia of the Cross: http://dustofthetime.blogspot.com/2006/11/...tered-life.html

I have indeed visited here...and distance wise I'm not too far from them. They are a beautiful order. I know they have many that come that are interested, I know a few have left....If you go and visit you can speak with the Mother Superior, she's a sweet little nun :-) It wouldn't hurt to write Mother a letter...to find out if they are full. But I thought I heard that they weren't full. Could be wrong though!

The chapel is beautiful!