Pictures From Elysburg, Pa Carmel

[In The Arms of The Lord]

Back in August I went for a 4 day visit to this Carmel; I was able to upload some photo's for all that may be interested. I may get more on here, but here is some for now:


http://picasaweb.google.com/107730386341028840103/ElysburgPACarmeliteMonastery#

Edited October 18, 2010 by In The Arms of The Lord

[HopefulBride]

Wow, gorgeous lanscape. Thanks for sharing. Do they celebrate mass in the EF? I notices the rail in the chapel.....

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287429708' post='2180435']
Back in August I went for a 4 day visit to this Carmel; I was able to upload some photo's for all that may be interested. I may get more on here, but here is some for now:


http://picasaweb.google.com/107730386341028840103/ElysburgPACarmeliteMonastery#
[/quote]

Beautiful!!!

[In The Arms of The Lord]

[quote name='HopefulBride' timestamp='1287431486' post='2180455']
Wow, gorgeous lanscape. Thanks for sharing. Do they celebrate mass in the EF? I notices the rail in the chapel.....
[/quote]


Isn't it? Your very welcome. They do have the Traditional Latin Mass everyday; priests from the FSSP, and priests from other states that visit from other Orders. It was my first time at a Traditional Latin Mass. I wish I could have taken pictures of that!

Edited October 18, 2010 by In The Arms of The Lord

[holly.o]

Beautiful & yet still humble

[In The Arms of The Lord]

The link I posted before isn't working anymore for the pictures; here is the link that will:



http://picasaweb.google.com/moriah1988

[LadyOfSorrows]

SO beautiful! Must have been a lovely four days!

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287438382' post='2180508']
[url="http://picasaweb.google.com/moriah1988"]http://picasaweb.google.com/moriah1988[/url]
[/quote]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

The monastery reminds me a bit of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila, where St. Teresa began religious life, which is an OCD Carmel now. I know the Sisters in Valparaiso are very proud (if that's the right word) of their Spanish heritage .. so I wonder if they have plans to change the monastery a bit over time to look more Spanish. If so, they have a great place they could model.

[img]http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/images/castile-and-leon/avila/encarnacion/resized/view-nc-caminodelalengua-crop.jpg[/img]

[url="http://www.ccacarmels.org/ElysburgCarmel.html"]http://www.ccacarmel...burgCarmel.html[/url]

[url="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/avila-monasterio-encarnacion"]http://www.sacred-de...rio-encarnacion[/url]

[In The Arms of The Lord]

[quote name='LadyOfSorrows' timestamp='1287494383' post='2180649']
SO beautiful! Must have been a lovely four days!
[/quote]


It certainly was! All we are waiting for now is the recommendation from Father to get to Reverend Mother, then the application will be complete. It could be less than two months until I enter. I'm getting very anxious for a set entrance date!

Edited October 20, 2010 by In The Arms of The Lord

[In The Arms of The Lord]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1287545613' post='2180918']
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

The monastery reminds me a bit of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila, where St. Teresa began religious life, which is an OCD Carmel now. I know the Sisters in Valparaiso are very proud (if that's the right word) of their Spanish heritage .. so I wonder if they have plans to change the monastery a bit over time to look more Spanish. If so, they have a great place they could model.

[img]http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/images/castile-and-leon/avila/encarnacion/resized/view-nc-caminodelalengua-crop.jpg[/img]

[url="http://www.ccacarmels.org/ElysburgCarmel.html"]http://www.ccacarmel...burgCarmel.html[/url]

[url="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/avila-monasterio-encarnacion"]http://www.sacred-de...rio-encarnacion[/url]
[/quote]

Your very welcome, and thank you for the links! While I was there on the visit, a father of one of the Sisters was there visiting and he had told me that when the community arrived in Elysburg, they redid some things to make it look a lot like the monastery in Valparaiso.

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287591114' post='2181021']
Your very welcome, and thank you for the links! While I was there on the visit, a father of one of the Sisters was there visiting and he had told me that when the community arrived in Elysburg, they redid some things to make it look a lot like the monastery in Valparaiso.
[/quote]

Yes, it sure does look like Valparaiso on the inside .. like the tile floors and everything And from the [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28378419@N03/sets/72157622233735714/"]various[/url] [url="http://img692.imageshack.us/g/elysburg073.jpg/"]pictures[/url] online of the enclosure (two links there) it looks really beautiful inside too! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymNbC88nog"]Here[/url] (can't post it here for some reason) I found a video from Valpariaso of a mother and daughter's visit there this past May. For one thing, they have the same picture of Jesus, Mary & Joseph hung above a glass display case And by the way, those bronze statues of them in front are new.

[In The Arms of The Lord]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1287683095' post='2181372']
Yes, it sure does look like Valparaiso on the inside .. like the tile floors and everything And from the [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28378419@N03/sets/72157622233735714/"]various[/url] [url="http://img692.imageshack.us/g/elysburg073.jpg/"]pictures[/url] online of the enclosure (two links there) it looks really beautiful inside too! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymNbC88nog"]Here[/url] (can't post it here for some reason) I found a video from Valpariaso of a mother and daughter's visit there this past May. For one thing, they have the same picture of Jesus, Mary & Joseph hung above a glass display case And by the way, those bronze statues of them in front are new.
[/quote]


That video was great! Thank you for posting it; you don't find many pictures of the Valpariaso Carmel on the internet. I've heard they still have well over 21 Sisters, and most are in the Novitiate. In Elysburg since they came there last April from Valpariaso are seeing many young women interested also; I think they have 14 or 15 now? It won't be long i'm sure when perhaps another Monastery will be built. I forgot how exactly Reverend Mother put it, about leaving Valpariaso, but she talked about how nice it was to go to a Monastery that had been empty (as was the case at Elysburg, when the elderly Sisters there left some years ago) than to build another. I'm sure since the Sisters arrived there it must be such a blessing for the residents that live in Elysburg now that the Monastery is being occupied with Sisters again.

Edited to add: I just got to the link with the pictures inside the Monastery. Thank you! I've never seen those before. Was this before they had the Enclosure Ceremony? Beautiful pictures.

Edited October 22, 2010 by In The Arms of The Lord

[In The Arms of The Lord]

Chiquitunga, you may know the answer to this question, in this picture with the link you posted I noticed the Dove over what looks like an Altar but the room where this is looks to be the Nuns Choir. Do they have The Blessed Sacrament in their Choir also? I think the public Chapel isn't too far from the Choir. I was interested because I didn't think The Blessed Sacrament was kept elsewhere in the monastery, but only in the Chapel. I'm very joyful at the thought that it could be that Our Lord is kept in the Choir for the Sisters and not just the Chapel. For some reason I didn't think this was the case at any Carmelite monastery? Maybe you can help clarify this for me. Thank you!

[img]http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/552/elysburg112.jpg[/img]

[Chiquitunga]

[font="Arial"][quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287766565' post='2181590']
It won't be long i'm sure when perhaps another Monastery will be built. I forgot how exactly Reverend Mother put it, about leaving Valpariaso, but she talked about how nice it was to go to a Monastery that had been empty (as was the case at Elysburg, when the elderly Sisters there left some years ago) than to build another.[/quote]

Yes, actually I've heard from a priest who heard from [/font][font="Arial"]Msgr. Thorburn, the chaplain in Valparaiso, that this is exactly what the Sisters are looking into for future foundations .. to refound old Carmels, rather than to have to rebuild. I think that's wonderful and very practical too. And I just might know where they are hoping to go next .. .. though there's nothing certain about it yet .. it was just something I heard, so I better not post it online! (though I can PM you! lol although you'll probably hear about it well before me being in Elysburg) However, this priest told me they are not going to be making another foundation for quite some time (not sure what that means) as they are still so young, and need more mature nuns and everything. Still, I wonder how long .. anyway, whatever is God's will!

[/font][font="Arial"][quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287766565' post='2181590'][/font]
[font="Arial"]Edited to add: I just got to the link with the pictures inside the Monastery. Thank you! I've never seen those before. Was this before they had the Enclosure Ceremony? Beautiful pictures.
[/quote]
Yes, these were taken by a friend of mine who went out to visit there for the Open House before the Enclosure Ceremony. Yes, they are beautiful! Pretty soon you'll be there!! [/font]

Edited October 23, 2010 by Chiquitunga

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287769100' post='2181599']
Chiquitunga, you may know the answer to this question, in this picture with the link you posted I noticed the Dove over what looks like an Altar but the room where this is looks to be the Nuns Choir. Do they have The Blessed Sacrament in their Choir also? I think the public Chapel isn't too far from the Choir. I was interested because I didn't think The Blessed Sacrament was kept elsewhere in the monastery, but only in the Chapel. I'm very joyful at the thought that it could be that Our Lord is kept in the Choir for the Sisters and not just the Chapel. For some reason I didn't think this was the case at any Carmelite monastery? Maybe you can help clarify this for me. Thank you![/quote]
Yes!! This [i]is[/i] a tabernacle and it's in the nuns' choir!!!

Yes, you're right this is not the norms for Carmels. I talked to Mother Agnes, the Novice Mistress in Valparaiso, about this. They actually got special permission from Bishop Bruskewitz to have this. Yes, because usually in Carmel Our Lord is only reserved in the tabernacle in the public chapel on the other side of the grille. But Mother Agnes said for them it was important to have Him within the enclosure too. So, yes, isn't that wonderful!? And they have it this way in Elysburg now too .. and I'm sure in future foundations.

[img]http://www.lasvegasmariancenter.com/images/carmel_choir7.02.jpg[/img]

[size="1"]Dove tabernacle in Valparaiso, right above the Communion window, if that's the right word[/size]

Regarding the nuns' choir in Elysburg .. and how there seems to be two, which there are here's the story on that: okay, as far as I remember from what she told me, before VII cloistered nuns actually didn't see the Mass, as they can now (not sure why/what document, etc. changed this) Anyway, so different monasteries were set up in different ways. Some places had the nuns' choir directly behind the public chapel/altar. Some had it on the side, but the curtain was always closed during Mass (but now it can be opened) So when the time came and they were allowed to see the Mass, many of the monasteries that had the nuns' choir behind the public chapel/altar .. converted a side room (which was often a sacristy before) next to the public chapel/altar into a second nuns' choir to be used for Mass. An example .. the PCCs in Cleveland .. [url="http://www.poorclarecolettines-cleveland.org/prayer_adoration_3.htm"]original nuns' choir[/url], which is used for adoration and the Divine Office .. [url="http://www.poorclarecolettines-cleveland.org/prayer_adoration_2.htm"]secound nuns' choir[/url] for Holy Mass. I believe Rockford is like this too. So anyway, that's the story on that

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1287803478' post='2181693']I believe Rockford is like this too. So anyway, that's the story on that
[/quote]

Yup!

[In The Arms of The Lord]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1287803478' post='2181693']
Yes!! This [i]is[/i] a tabernacle and it's in the nuns' choir!!!

Yes, you're right this is not the norms for Carmels. I talked to Mother Agnes, the Novice Mistress in Valparaiso, about this. They actually got special permission from Bishop Bruskewitz to have this. Yes, because usually in Carmel Our Lord is only reserved in the tabernacle in the public chapel on the other side of the grille. But Mother Agnes said for them it was important to have Him within the enclosure too. So, yes, isn't that wonderful!? And they have it this way in Elysburg now too .. and I'm sure in future foundations.

[img]http://www.lasvegasmariancenter.com/images/carmel_choir7.02.jpg[/img]

[size="1"]Dove tabernacle in Valparaiso, right above the Communion window, if that's the right word[/size]
[/quote]

Thank you so much for the information! I remember when I started my discernment with Carmel, I always had the thought in mind of why Our Lord wasn't in the enclosure also, and how nice it would be if He was. So when I saw that picture I was lost for words in excitement!!!! I don't know why it is, but it meant a lot to me that The Blessed Sacrament was kept also in the enclosure, though I had accepted the fact that this wasn't the case in Carmel, but i'm thankful that Mother Agnes thought the same!

I called the monastery a few days ago, it happend to be one of the Sisters that had the phone, and they're looking forward to receiving Father's recommendation letter to complete the application just as much as I am. I'm getting quite anxious. I talked to him a couple of days ago, he just came back from Europe this week, so hopefully he will have it done, if not this weekend, early next week to get it in the mail.

.... and if you will, i'm interested to know about that foundation!

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287844700' post='2181784']
Thank you so much for the information! I remember when I started my discernment with Carmel, I always had the thought in mind of why Our Lord wasn't in the enclosure also, and how nice it would be if He was. So when I saw that picture I was lost for words in excitement!!!! I don't know why it is, but it meant a lot to me that The Blessed Sacrament was kept also in the enclosure, though I had accepted the fact that this wasn't the case in Carmel, but i'm thankful that Mother Agnes thought the same![/quote]

You're very welcome! I know! I feel the same way! Like the Poor Clares for instance often have it where there's an opening in the wall (an example .. [url="http://174.120.138.8/%7Eminooka/"]Minooka[/url]) where the Blessed Sacrament and tabernacle is in the public sanctuary/chapel .. so they can see Our Lord too/have Him near them. But in many Carmels He's all the way on the other side of the grille (unless sometimes for the Carmels that have the nuns' choir behind the public sanctuary .. the tabernacle is viewable from both sides .. example, Philadelphia: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin_kelley/416984808/in/photostream/"]public sanctuary[/url] & [url="http://martinsisters.org/Carmel_pa.html"]nuns' choir[/url]), on top of the fact that there is usually much less adoration in Carmel than in a PC monastery, as it's not as much a part of their charism.

So yes, this is exciting about them having Him inside too!! I'm glad they changed on this point. So in this way they are not as "traditional" but have adopted something new for Carmel .. so change can be good too I hope more Carmels consider doing this also.

Actually, I believe this may have started at the [url="http://www.jnelson.com/jnelson/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=17"]Carmel of Cristo Rey[/url] in San Francisco, where the nuns in Valparaiso came from. Here this picture I got from a friend of mine who had a couple of their anniversary books, and was putting one up on eBay some time ago .. though I wonder if this was just for a special occasion like Holy Thursday. Anyway, you can ask Mother Stella-Marie about it. I'm sure she would know.

[img]http://i55.tinypic.com/mm6ao3.jpg[/img]


Oh, and regarding the pictures inside the enclosure, the [url="http://img692.imageshack.us/g/elysburg073.jpg/"]second link[/url] there are my friend's pictures. I'm not sure who took [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28378419@N03/sets/72157622233735714/"]these[/url] but they seem to be more professionally done, and I've seen them used in a few articles about this new foundation online.

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1287844700' post='2181784']I called the monastery a few days ago, it happend to be one of the Sisters that had the phone, and they're looking forward to receiving Father's recommendation letter to complete the application just as much as I am. I'm getting quite anxious. I talked to him a couple of days ago, he just came back from Europe this week, so hopefully he will have it done, if not this weekend, early next week to get it in the mail.

.... and if you will, i'm interested to know about that foundation!
[/quote]

Sure thing! And that's wonderful about them looking forward to receiving that letter too. Sounds very welcoming! I'm sure it will all come together soon!

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' timestamp='1287811488' post='2181723']
Yup!
[/quote]

Knew you'd chime in here

Edited October 23, 2010 by Chiquitunga

[SrBenigna]

The Carmel in Kirk Edge, Sheffield, UK has a small altar with the monstrance for the sister's adoration: http://www.kirkedge.org.uk/prayer.html

Scroll down a bit. (Sorry I have no clue how to insert pictures!)

[krissylou]

[quote name='SrBenigna' timestamp='1287864656' post='2181875']
The Carmel in Kirk Edge, Sheffield, UK has a small altar with the monstrance for the sister's adoration: [url="http://www.kirkedge.org.uk/prayer.html"]http://www.kirkedge.org.uk/prayer.html[/url]

Scroll down a bit. (Sorry I have no clue how to insert pictures!)
[/quote]

Hmmm ... I wonder if this is growing increasingly common. The only Carmel I've ever seen is the Boston one and when I've stopped by their chapel the volunteer receptionist told me that the Eucharist was reserved in the enclosure (and not in the tabernacle-looking-thing in the public chapel) -- so "if you want to be close to the Lord" that's the area to go to.

Obviously, since there is a tabernacle-looking-thing in the public chapel, this was not the original plan.