Do any of you know anything about the Booklyn Carmelites

[carmelitegirl93]

I just wanted to know if anyone kew of anything about the Booklyn Carmelites?

 

[goforgoal]

You can probably do a little research online or whenever it is convenient for you write them a letter, phone call, or if you can visit.

Some CAF members are good at explaining various orders like CarmeliteGirl25, Sr.Helena, and many others.

ocd.pcn.net/ocd/n2_usa.htm

God bless,
goforgoal

 

[barb_finnegan]

I just wanted to know if anyone kew of anything about the Booklyn Carmelites?

Do you mean, ‘BROOKLYN Carmelites’?

I do remember something about their leaving their monastery because of the condition of the neighborhood, and then returning to it some years later.

As the above poster stated, maybe you could google, or ask some of the frequent posters on this forum.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I just wanted to know if anyone kew of anything about the Booklyn Carmelites?

The Brooklyn Carmelites, contrary to some belief, are not the same Brooklyn Carmelites that were present in the community some years back. The cloister closed in 1997 and the nuns dispersed to various monasteries that had need. The current Brooklyn monastery is founded from Buffalo, which was begun by Mother Elias of the Blessed Sacrament. She was from a monastery in Mexico and during the revolution, many religious were persecuted. Mother and her community were no exception.

In December 1914, Mother Elias and another nun were brought before the firing squad. Mother asked that the shooters leave off her blindfold, and she knelt to the ground to pray. She asked Therese of Lisieux (who was not yet a saint), “Little Therese, if you are a saint, as some people say you are, then deliver us, and I promise to found a Monastery in your honor.” She heard gunshots, and she fell to the ground, believing that the gunmen left her for dead. A while later, the nuns got up, and noticed blood on their habits, but there were no wounds. St. Therese of Lisieux had indeed interceded for them.

The first foundation was in Grand Rapids, MI (now Ada Parnell, MI). But Mother had to keep her promise and found a monastery in honor of St. Therese, however, since St. Therese was not yet canonized that was impossible. News of the canonization began and Mother received permission to dedicate the new monastery in Buffalo, NY on the day of the canonization. This occurred on May 17th, 1925. On the day of the dedication, the nuns claimed that they smelled roses and felt Therese’s presence. The monastery was the first dedication EVER to St. Therese.

More can be read about Mother Elias here:

fountainofelias.blogspot.com/2009/07/mother-mary-elias-of-blessed-sacrament.html
fountainofelias.blogspot.com/2009/07/mother-elias-part-2.html

Since there is not a website for Brooklyn and they don’t appear to be a part of a Carmelite association (Buffalo is part of St. Joseph’s Association of Carmelites), it’s quite difficult to remember when the new monastery was founded. I know they have the Latin Mass, whereas Buffalo does not (they only use Latin during the Divine Office and Gregorian Chant during Mass). They are adherent to the 1990 Constitutions, so you should expect that they will be very strict in their observance of the rule.

Since you have sent them a letter and you now know they received it, hopefully, they will be able to send you some information about the foundation of their order. They will probably send you a package of information. I got one from Buffalo, and I’m very interested in entering at Buffalo because of what I read and what I feel in my heart. Nothing but peace.

I hope this helps! God bless.

 

[barb_finnegan]

CarmeliteGirl25-I didn’t know that the Buffalo Carmel made another foundation! I know that they made one in 1996 [or 1997] in Alexandria, South Dakota, at the invitation of Fr. Robert J. Fox of the Fatima Family Apostolate [FFA] and then-Bishop Robert Carlson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

I knew of another foundation from Buffalo, the Schenectady Carmel. I thought of entering there when I was in my late teens to early twenties. That monastery, founded in 1923, moved in 2005 from Schenectady and amalgamated itself to a Carmel in Pittsford, NY, which is a suburb of Rochester.

I also have a copy of the Buffalo Carmel’s 75th anniversary book, which I ordered in 1995 when I was a member of the Discalced Carmelite Seculars [OCDS]. So I’m familiar with the story of Mother Elias.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

CarmeliteGirl25-I didn’t know that the Buffalo Carmel made another foundation! I know that they made one in 1996 [or 1997] in Alexandria, South Dakota, at the invitation of Fr. Robert J. Fox of the Fatima Family Apostolate [FFA] and then-Bishop Robert Carlson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

I knew of another foundation from Buffalo, the Schenectady Carmel. I thought of entering there when I was in my late teens to early twenties. That monastery, founded in 1923, moved in 2005 from Schenectady and amalgamated itself to a Carmel in Pittsford, NY, which is a suburb of Rochester.

I also have a copy of the Buffalo Carmel’s 75th anniversary book, which I ordered in 1995 when I was a member of the Discalced Carmelite Seculars [OCDS]. So I’m familiar with the story of Mother Elias.

Yes, indeed! I was actually told this little tidbit by one of my friends on Phatmass. I asked her if she had visited any Carmels, and found out about Brooklyn and it’s history. She discerned with them for a time because she felt called to an order that had the Latin Mass. I, however, do not, but I admired the Latin Mass. I grew up in the New Mass (Novus Ordo), and that’s what Buffalo has, although Mother assured me several times during our phone conversation yesterday that their Masses are very reverent.

I completely forgot about Schenectady! I received some information from Rochester recently, and I knew from the 75th anniversary book from Buffalo that Mother Elias made the foundation at Schenectady (that’s difficult to spell ). It’s a shame that it had to close, but I believe the Buffalo Carmel will remain strong if God wills it. There are 16 members currently, and one trying to obtain her acceptance (she’s a friend of mine). I’m actively discerning my calling with them, but I really need to make a personal visit to speak with Mother about something very important. I’m a little nervous about what she will say, but I know God will provide if it is His will, and whether or not I will have to wait for more time, it will be for the nuns to decide.

 

[LaudemGloriae]

The Carmel in Brooklyn actually doesn’t have the Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) but the Ordinary Form as Buffalo does, with a mix of Latin and English. Then they pray the entire Office (of the new rite) in Latin, as Buffalo and Alexandria do also. I’ve never visited there, but know a couple people who have, and I’ve heard it’s beautiful

The only two Carmels in union with the Church in the US that have the Extraordinary Form of Mass are Valparaiso, NE and their new foundation in Elysburg, PA. I think Brooklyn has had a few Extraordinary Form Masses at their monastery, and I know Alexandria has, but it’s been for special or “extraordinary” occasions.

Regarding the old Carmel in Brooklyn - which throughout the world I’ve been told was known as being one of the most traditional and observant over the years - several of the nuns went to Buffalo when it closed in 1997 (one went to Dallas, another to St. Helen’s in England), and the aim was always that one day they would re-found a Carmel in Brooklyn. It ended up that all of the original Sisters from Brooklyn died in Buffalo, but their spirit lives on in this new foundation, so in a way they are connected (looking up to Heaven, not rolling eyes )

P.S. An old link with more information (they were founded in 2004) web.archive.org/web/20060930160445/http://www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/about/08_17_04.html

And also, picasaweb.google.com/ocdnuns/CarmelOfOurLadyOfMtCarmelStJosephBrooklynNY & peony78.blogspot.com/2009/09/little-vid-of-brooklyn-carmel.html (you’ll first want to stop the song that starts when you open that page so you can hear the Carmelites sing)

 

[barb_finnegan]

Yes, indeed! I was actually told this little tidbit by one of my friends on Phatmass. I asked her if she had visited any Carmels, and found out about Brooklyn and it’s history. She discerned with them for a time because she felt called to an order that had the Latin Mass. I, however, do not, but I admired the Latin Mass. I grew up in the New Mass (Novus Ordo), and that’s what Buffalo has, although Mother assured me several times during our phone conversation yesterday that their Masses are very reverent.

I completely forgot about Schenectady! I received some information from Rochester recently, and I knew from the 75th anniversary book from Buffalo that Mother Elias made the foundation at Schenectady (that’s difficult to spell ). It’s a shame that it had to close, but I believe the Buffalo Carmel will remain strong if God wills it. There are 16 members currently, and one trying to obtain her acceptance (she’s a friend of mine). I’m actively discerning my calling with them, but I really need to make a personal visit to speak with Mother about something very important. I’m a little nervous about what she will say, but I know God will provide if it is His will, and whether or not I will have to wait for more time, it will be for the nuns to decide.

The reasons why the Schenectady monastery closed was due to the neighborhood it was located in: a four-lane highway in the back, and businesses on either side. The area was not conducive to the life of silence and solitude.

I’m still in touch with the former Schenectady nuns [yeah, I know the name is hard to spell ]. In fact, I met the new Prioress in the spring-Mother Therese. I really liked her!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

The reasons why the Schenectady monastery closed was due to the neighborhood it was located in: a four-lane highway in the back, and businesses on either side. The area was not conducive to the life of silence and solitude.

I’m still in touch with the former Schenectady nuns [yeah, I know the name is hard to spell ]. In fact, I met the new Prioress in the spring-Mother Therese. I really liked her!

Ah, I see. Speaking of monastery locations, have you ever looked into the Carmelite Monastery in Denmark, WI? It’s set out in the rural area, so it’s probably very quiet! I looked it up on Google Maps and thought it was an excellent setting for a prayer life.

I’m rather concerned about Buffalo, though, since I discovered that there are many houses around it, but I need to go there to find out how noisy it is.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

The Carmel in Brooklyn actually doesn’t have the Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) but the Ordinary Form as Buffalo does, with a mix of Latin and English. Then they pray the entire Office (of the new rite) in Latin, as Buffalo and Alexandria do also. I’ve never visited there, but know a couple people who have, and I’ve heard it’s beautiful

The only two Carmels in union with the Church in the US that have the Extraordinary Form of Mass are Valparaiso, NE and their new foundation in Elysburg, PA. I think Brooklyn has had a few Extraordinary Form Masses at their monastery, and I know Alexandria has, but it’s been for special or “extraordinary” occasions.

Regarding the old Carmel in Brooklyn - which throughout the world I’ve been told was known as being one of the most traditional and observant over the years - several of the nuns went to Buffalo when it closed in 1997 (one went to Dallas, another to St. Helen’s in England), and the aim was always that one day they would re-found a Carmel in Brooklyn. It ended up that all of the original Sisters from Brooklyn died in Buffalo, but their spirit lives on in this new foundation, so in a way they are connected (looking up to Heaven, not rolling eyes )

P.S. An old link with more information (they were founded in 2004) web.archive.org/web/20060930160445/http://www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/about/08_17_04.html

And also, picasaweb.google.com/ocdnuns/CarmelOfOurLadyOfMtCarmelStJosephBrooklynNY & peony78.blogspot.com/2009/09/little-vid-of-brooklyn-carmel.html (you’ll first want to stop the song that starts when you open that page so you can hear the Carmelites sing)

Oh, dear! I must have gotten the wrong impression from my friend’s messages that they had it all the time. She must have attended one of them there. Now she is discerning with the Elysburg Carmel because of the Latin Mass.

 

[barb_finnegan]

Ah, I see. Speaking of monastery locations, have you ever looked into the Carmelite Monastery in Denmark, WI? It’s set out in the rural area, so it’s probably very quiet! I looked it up on Google Maps and thought it was an excellent setting for a prayer life.

I’m rather concerned about Buffalo, though, since I discovered that there are many houses around it, but I need to go there to find out how noisy it is.

I’ve been only once to the Buffalo Carmel, back in March 1998 with a friend from the OCDS community we belonged to at the time. The monastery and chapel sit on a large plot of ground all by itself. The only other building next to it was a Catholic school-I think it was called ‘Holy Child’.

The houses all around it are two stories high, but they were not as close to the monastery as the ones that surrounded the Carmel in Schenectady. There seemed to be enough space so that the nuns would not hear a lot of noise…unless somebody cranked up a car stereo…

When you said, ‘Denmark’, I thought you meant the COUNTRY of that name…didn’t know there was a ‘Denmark’ in Wisconsin…

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I’ve been only once to the Buffalo Carmel, back in March 1998 with a friend from the OCDS community we belonged to at the time. The monastery and chapel sit on a large plot of ground all by itself. The only other building next to it was a Catholic school-I think it was called ‘Holy Child’.

The houses all around it are two stories high, but they were not as close to the monastery as the ones that surrounded the Carmel in Schenectady. There seemed to be enough space so that the nuns would not hear a lot of noise…unless somebody cranked up a car stereo…

When you said, ‘Denmark’, I thought you meant the COUNTRY of that name…didn’t know there was a ‘Denmark’ in Wisconsin…

I’m glad it’s not as noisy. I think my friend, who is discerning with them and has been there before, would have said something as she is looking for silence as am I.

LOL, about the Denmark thing. You are not the only one that thought that! It’s in the Green Bay, WI diocese.

 

[ForeverHis8827]

I’m glad it’s not as noisy. I think my friend, who is discerning with them and has been there before, would have said something as she is looking for silence as am I.

LOL, about the Denmark thing. You are not the only one that thought that! It’s in the Green Bay, WI diocese.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Greetings! It’s Moriah … I was to thinking much before I went for a visit that because of all the houses around the Monastery that it would be noisy. There’s many houses around; though they have a lot of land that is enclosed by a wall that you can’t see behind. It doesn’t seem like much when your looking at it from the streets, but I was showed a photo book of the enclosure. Most of the pictures were of the gardens. Each sister has her own garden also. From seeing the pictures, there is a lot of land behind those walls.

About the noise, I think it was only 2 or 3 times that while I was in the Chapel I heard a loud stero. Other than that, it was very quiet. You wouldn’t think that there is as many houses around as there really is. I can imagine that being in the enclosure and not being able to see the houses, you wouldn’t be thinking at all that there is any other building around. It is a nice area.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Greetings! It’s Moriah … I was to thinking much before I went for a visit that because of all the houses around the Monastery that it would be noisy. There’s many houses around; though they have a lot of land that is enclosed by a wall that you can’t see behind. It doesn’t seem like much when your looking at it from the streets, but I was showed a photo book of the enclosure. Most of the pictures were of the gardens. Each sister has her own garden also. From seeing the pictures, there is a lot of land behind those walls.

About the noise, I think it was only 2 or 3 times that while I was in the Chapel I heard a loud stero. Other than that, it was very quiet. You wouldn’t think that there is as many houses around as there really is. I can imagine that being in the enclosure and not being able to see the houses, you wouldn’t be thinking at all that there is any other building around. It is a nice area.

Thanks, Moriah. Good to know that it’s not so noisy there.