8/15/07, Feast of the Assumption of our Lady
I chose to write Phatmass for its focus on traditional Catholic life. I recently had the privilege of visiting a former Brooklyn Carmelite nun now at St. Helen’s Carmel in England. For those if you who didn’t know, the old Brooklyn Carmel at 745 St, John’s place in Brooklyn, was till 1997 considered one of the strictest, conservative Carmels in the world. Regrettably, the change in the neighborhood, the change in the church, and the lack of vocations caused its demise in 1997. Three surviving Sisters went to the wonderful Carmel, under Mother Miriam, in Buffalo, where they planned for an eventual return to Brooklyn. Unfortunately they did not live to see the plans reach fulfillment. Mother Miriam did send several young nuns, who now live in a beautiful, but much smaller Carmel at 361 Highland Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11207, again under the traditional 1990 constitutions, with Mother Maria Luz of the Holy Trinity as prioress. One of the surviving sisters, Mother Marie Ange of the Infant Jesus, former Prioress and Novice Mistress, moved to the Carmel in Dallas Texas, home of a traditional Mass group. Sister Maria of the Holy Spirit was given a home at St. Helens Carmel in her native England, with another wonderful Prioress and community.
I mention these Carmels for several reasons. They are bastions of prayer and traditional faith. They also need our help. We always talk of vocations to the priesthood, but do we remember our Cloistered Sisters? There are many young girls and woman who attend traditional Mass, who may long for the spirituality of a Carmel.
These sisters need our prayers, our financial support, and very importantly, our daughters for postulants.
If we claim to support our traditional faith, we must also support these Carmels in any way we can. Please write them, pray for them and consider them for those of you discerning religious life.
Sincerely,
Antoniette



