The Carmelite Rite, or the Rite of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is the liturgical rite of the Roman Catholic Church, distinct from the Roman Rite, employed during the crusades by the the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre, Hospitallers, Templars, Carmelites and the other orders founded within the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Today it is specific to the Carmelite Order.After considering the question carefully at its General Chapters of 1965, 1968 and 1971, the Calced Carmelite Order decided to abandon its traditional rite in favour of the Mass of Paul VI. The old carmelite rite is still in use today by two Carmelite communities in the United States: the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in Wyoming and the Discalced Carmelite Nuns - Valparaiso, Nebraska.
The nuns of Valparaiso are served by the Priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter.
Contact:
- Rev. Mother Teresa of Jesus, O.C.D., Prioress
Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
9300 W. Agnew Road,
Valparaiso, NE 68065,
United States of America.
website
34 comments:
Another great Carmelite community is the Carmelites
of Philadelphia. They say, "With eager
hearts we study the doctrine of St. Teresa
.... Raised up by God to reform the Order,
her teaching remains the primary source of
formation for the nuns and gives guidance
to their deepest yearnings."
Our daughter is at Valparaiso. The scoop on this place is that it is overflowing with vocations, even with the Mass and all seven offices in Latin. Young people evidently are looking for authenticity, and here they surely have it.
There are something like 28 women here, of whom only about ten are solemn professed. The novitiate is overflowing with postulants and novices. If someone leaves, her place is taken immediately.
Ordinarily a Carmelite convsent is supposed to have only 21 nuns max, unless they are planning to launch a new foundation in the near future. That, in fact, is the plan, but Mother Theresa says she has to see more black veils first. The black veil is received at solemn profession.
These Carmelites have the 1962 Roman Rite. The monks in Whyoming do have the Anctient Carmelite rite but the sisters don't have anyone who can that Mass for them. They do, however; follow the Carmelite Calender a lot of the time and use some of the propers particular to the Carmelite Feast(I suppose it is what would be used in the Mass of the Carmelite rite itself). But the Mass itself is the Roman rite of Pius V.
The discalced Carmelites adopted the Roman rite in 1586. There is nothing unusual about the liturgical situation in Nebraska.
My understanding is that the FSSP does assist from time to time, however I belive the Vicar General of Lincoln is responsible for their masses.
They have Tridentine for Mass and Carmelite Rite for Office although sometimes they do have the Carmelite for Mass too.
The diocese's Vicar General says their daily Mass.
This is a great blog you have!!! Thank you for the information on the Carmelites. I want to be a Traditional Carmelite nun when I'm older, so this is a good help :]
Thanks + God Bless You!!!
Grace
http://becatholic.blogspot.com/
And can anybody says, what rite do nuns in Nebraska use - Carmelite or Roman? Somebody says: Roman; somebody: Carmelite. And who is right?
The nuns use the old Carmelite rite.
But they are served by the Priests of the FSSP, who use the Roman rite.
Mother Theresa called this afternoon as we were sitting down to lunch. Hearing
that voice is a heart-stopping moment, but the news is all good. Stephanie is
making her simple profession on June 20th, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary.
I took the opportunity to ask her where the new foundation will be. It is at
Elysburg, PA, pretty much in the vicinity of Shenandoah, PA, my wife's
birthplace. Apparently there was a convent of Carmelites that was failing, and
they asked the nuns at Valparaiso to take over. They will be going there toward
the end of June- after Stephanie's profession- but she will not be going with
them, thanks be to God.
Nor will Mother Theresa or Mother Agnes (the novice mistress) being going
either. Why break up such a winning combination? I wonder if that was the
thought. They arrived in Valparaiso from Las Vegas in 2001 with nine or ten nuns
and are already sending out a new foundation.
I forgot to ask how many nuns are going out to Pennsylvania, but whatever the
number is, obviously just as many spots are opening up for new vocations at
Valparaiso.
Recently heard about your community
through the Clear Creek Benedictine
Community in Oklahoma.
I'm very impressed with the increa-
sing number of traditional founda-
tions being established in so many
various parts of the USA.
This phenomenon is a clear sign
of Christ's designs for his church
of the future. Young, idealistic
candidates for religious life are
literally flocking to the charism
being expressed in the traditional
convents and monasteries.
Fortunately, the Church is now
being led by Pope Benedict XVI, who
is an avowed proponent of a return
to the roots/origins of western monasticism.
You can be assured of my prayers
and best wishes as you progress
in the spiritual life towards the
"Interior Castle" which your found-
ress, St. Teresa of Avila envisioned for her nuns. JMJT
http://www.wnep.com/news/countybycounty/wnep-numb-nuns-carmelite-nebraska,0,1794214.story
I heard that the Carmelite nuns in Elysburg are going to a retirement home and that ten nuns from Valparaiso are moving to Elysburg. It's good that there are so many vocations It's not happening only in communities that follow tradition. It is also happening in monasteries which have fully embraced Vatican II like Baltimore Carmel where there are several nuns in various stage of formation.
Although the liturgy is mostly in English it is prayerful and powerful. On the other hand Philadelphia Carmel has only 5 or 6 nuns of advanced age. The traditional liturgy is handled by a choir of laypeople. You can only attend mass there whereas in baltimore the laity can join the nuns for the liturgy of the hours. Simply wonderful!
Does anyone know if there is a trad order of Discalced Carmelites in Pennsylvania or Ohio? I couldn't tell if that one in Philly is trad or not...
Dear Grettelyn,
You asked if there were any traditional Carmelites in Pennsylvania. My daughter is a Carmelite in Valparaiso, Nebraska and they just founded a daughter house in Elysburg, PA, in the Harrisburg diocese, about 30 miles west of Shenandoah.
This is about the most authentic expression of the Carmelite charism that you'll be able to find, I think, and I strongly encourage you to contact them. I don't have their phone number, but the Valparaiso monastery would certainly have it. Their phone is 402-784-0375.
To give you an idea of this group, the monastery in Valparaiso has 18 young women in the novitiate!!! And more entering all the time. Entrances are scheduled for this month and September, that I know of.
My daughter is very happy there, and that seems to be the case with everyone whom we have met.
Well, my e-mail is leegilbert28@att.net and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Lee Gilbert
As a Benedictine external Oblate of the Order of St. Benedict of the Abbey of Westminster in Mission,British columbia in Canada (although I live in California) I am in pleasant envy of the good nuns of Valparaso Wyoming. I pray constantly for even a partial return of Westminster abbey to the Traditional Liturgy but that is not occurring at the moment. Westminster has a good and I believe Holy Abbot and I firmly believe they are moving in the direction of Tradition, particularly in their Divine Liturgy, again at the moment is the pauline version. to all the Traditional Orthodox Catholic communities---- Mozel tov and my prayers---Johannim
Here FYI is a story related to Valparaiso in the Catholic Sentinel of Portland for June 3rd.
http://www.sentinel.org/node/11213
The photo is taken in the nun's chapel. When they have Mass, the black curtains are drawn and the altar is visible from the side. Below the crucifix is the small door in the grill separating the nuns chapel from the main chapel. Here the nuns kneel to receive Holy Communion. It is also where they kneel to state their intentions and to pray immediately after entering the convent; where they pray and state their intentions on the day they receive the habit; where they pronounce their simple vows and three years later their solemn vows.
Immediately below the crucifix is a suspended pyx- I think in the shape of a dove- where the Holy Eucharist is reserved for the adoration of the nuns.
Also visible in the picture are the choir benches on either side of sister where the nuns assemble to hear mass and to sing the office- seven times a day I believe.
The story mentions the Priestly Society of St. Peter. There is a close relationship between the convent and the society. The F.S.S.P. Fathers have their seminary at Denton, NE also in the Diocese of Lincoln. At the many solemn occasions the seminary supples servers for the Masses.
The beautiful altar was assembled under the direction of one of their priests
May I ask whether these Carmelites in Valparaiso are faithful to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and to the Magisterium? If they are, I will definitely have to consider them! :-)
~Emily~
Praised be Jesus Christ! Yes, they are 100% faithful to the Church .. not extreme Traditionalists, or anything like that. And they are under the 1990 Constitutions approved by JPII. They are a wonderful community!
Note: regarding their phone number, they kindly ask that inquires be sent my mail only, http://www.lasvegasmariancenter.com/carmel.htm Thus that phone number is not listed in many places online, like the official OCD site, http://www.discalcedcarmel.com/ God bless!
There is a Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Loretto PA. I don't know if they follow the traditional or post Vatican 2. I know they need vocations.
I just visited the Discalced Carmelites in Sioux City, Iowa. The sisters are very welcoming and friendly, and I noticed all of them have a geniune joy radiating within them. Now they only have seven sisters and are in need of vocations. I would highly recommend this convent to young discerners (or anyone for that matter). They have mass everyday (novice ordo) the divine office, the daily rosary, and they have beautiful devotions they practice to our lady. My favortie one was the Regina Caeli which was sung in latin after compline. Very beautiful. The community said that I fit in like a glove so if God wills it that place will be my home for now. Anyways I hope others visit this monestary and like it as much as I did!
Just visited the Sioux City, Iowa Carmelites for three weeks and I must say I did not expect God's graces to be there as much as they were. I felt like the sisters were praying for me during my stay, they were so welcoming and friendly. They recently lost six sisters within 5 years and now they are just 7 nuns, so they need vocations : ). I would encourage other discerners to look into this monestary. They have mass everyday (of course), the divine office 7 times a day, the daily rosary, and they sing the regina caeli in latin every night after compline. It's beautiful. They are with the church of course, the monestary was founded right when the changes were being made in the church, so they established a monestary based upon the changes from vatican two. They wear a religious habit too! Virtue is in the middle road : )
find them at www.carmelsc.org
God bless.
Just visited the Sioux City, Iowa Carmelites for three weeks and I must say I did not expect God's graces to be there as much as they were. I felt like the sisters were praying for me during my stay, they were so welcoming and friendly. They recently lost six sisters within 5 years and now they are just 7 nuns, so they need vocations : ). I would encourage other discerners to look into this monestary. They have mass everyday (of course), the divine office 7 times a day, the daily rosary, and they sing the regina caeli in latin every night after compline. It's beautiful. They are with the church of course, the monestary was founded right when the changes were being made in the church, so they established a monestary based upon the changes from vatican two. They wear a religious habit too! Virtue is in the middle road : )
find them at www.carmelsc.org
God bless.
Here's my blog:
http://jacintarenee.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
I have also visited the Sioux City Carmel, and yes, the sisters are very nice. However, this blog I believe exists for those who desire that their faith, spirituality, religious life, be informed and formed according to the Traditional liturgical rites of the Church. My own experience has been that since I first experienced the Ancient Mass, my spiritual life was fed in a way that up until then I didn't think was possible as I was given to see the inherent truth and beauty of this truly divine liturgy.
Today, the feast of the Martyrs of Compeigne, the Valparaiso, Nebraska Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is making a new foundation at Canyon, CA in the Diocese of Oakland. Mother Agnes, together with Sisters Perpetua, Mary Rose, Miriam Therese and Lucia will be flying out at around 11AM. They will be in Canyon about a month preparing for the arrival of a second contingent of five nuns, mostly novices, on August 24th. Once this monastery is underway Mother Agnes, the novice mistress of Valprasio will return to the mother house. Until they are enclosed once again, and elect a superior, they will continue to be under obedience to Mother Teresa, the prioress of Valparaiso. After that, they will be an independent monastery.
Evidently this project has been in the works for a few years, for the Valparaiso monastery owns property on Pinehurst Rd.in Canyon on which they hope to build a monastery. For the present they have a three bedroom home and a barn which has been converted into a lodge. For now the chapel, the refectory, library, etc will be in the lodge and the house will provide space for cells. Presumably the rural setting will permit them to raise a few cows and chickens as they do in Valparaiso.
With the entrance of a postulant this last July 13th the Valparaiso convent was at the bursting point with thirty-eight religious. A Carmelite convent is only supposed to have twenty-one nuns unless they are planning a foundation. Obviously, with the exodus of only ten religious, Valparaiso is planning yet another foundation in the not too distant future.
Valparaiso traces its own origins to the Carmel of Cristo Rey in San Franciso. Originally Cristo Rey had made a foundation in Las Vegas, but the sprawl of the city drove the nuns to seek another location in the late 1990's. This turned out to be Valpraiso, NE. Their present convent in Nebraska was only finished and dedicated in December of 2001, yet they have made two foundations within eleven years, the first being to Elysburg, PA in 2009.
Bob and Susan Masek, the caretakers at Valpraiso, report that that they are constantly having to drive into Omaha to pick up young women at the airport who want to visit to take a look. The interest is unending.
And here is the astonishing part- the Mass and all the offices are in Latin! - as they will be in Canyon. Before being directed to this monastery by the Miles Christi Fathers, my daughter had no interest whatever in the Latin liturgy. In fact, when a friend of mine invited us to go with him to St. John Cantius to a Latin Mass some years ago, she had absolutely no interest in coming with us. In fact, she was put off by the Latin liturgy on her first visit to Valpraiso and spent a good part of her discernment year looking at the Poor Clares in Lemont, Illinois. However, she had no understanding of their spirituality while from her reading of St. Therese she had some understanding of the Carmelites. She decided to take another look at the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and then wrote to Mother Teresa asking to enter.
Personally, I am convinced that all these women are thirsting not for Latin, but for authenticity, and Valparasio is as authentic as it gets, with full habit, a life of prayer and penance, together with very great joy. I honestly think that St. Teresa of Avila could step into this house and find herself right at home, living the life she lived in the sixteenth century. The thinking seems to be, if this way of life has made so many saints in the past, perhaps it will make a saint of me.
Today, the feast of the Martyrs of Compeigne, the Valparaiso, Nebraska Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is making a new foundation at Canyon, CA in the Diocese of Oakland. Mother Agnes, together with Sisters Perpetua, Mary Rose, Miriam Therese and Lucia will be flying out of Lincoln, Nebraska at around 11AM and arriving at the Livermore airport a few hours later.. They will be in Canyon about a month preparing for the arrival of a second contingent of five nuns, mostly novices, on August 24th. Once this monastery is underway Mother Agnes, the novice mistress of Valprasio, will return to the mother house. Until they are enclosed once again, and elect a superior, they will continue to be under obedience to Mother Teresa, the prioress of Valparaiso. After that, they will be an independent monastery.
Evidently this project has been in the works for a few years, for the Valparaiso monastery owns property on Pinehurst Rd.in Canyon on which they hope with the help of God to build a monastery. For the present they have a three bedroom home and a barn which has been converted into a lodge. For now the chapel, the refectory, library, etc will be in the lodge and the house will provide space for cells. Presumably the rural setting will permit them to raise a few cows and chickens as they do in Valparaiso.
With the entrance of a postulant this last July 13th the Valparaiso convent was at the bursting point with thirty-eight religious. A Carmelite convent is only supposed to have twenty-one nuns unless they are planning a foundation. Obviously, with the exodus of only ten religious, Valparaiso is planning yet another foundation in the not too distant future.
Today I celebrated Mass for the Sisters at Canyon. The six simply professed arrived last week. Construction of the enclosure is moving forward very quickly and part of the grill is up in the chapel -- along with a new altar. Mother Agnes will soon return to Nb. What a wonderful person, I will miss her.
I celebrate the Dominican Rite Mass (as a Dominican the only traditional liturgy I know) for the sisters on Tuesdays and Fridays. Their job reveals that God is present.
If anyone is looking for a site which lists Traditional Catholic nuns, please visit my site:
traditionalcatholicnuns.blogspot.com
Also, If you know of any traditional nuns that I could post on my blog, please let me know at janicelliam@gmail.com
Thank you! Please help spread this good site by posting it on your blogs.
If anyone is looking for a site which lists Traditional Catholic nuns, please visit my site:
traditionalcatholicnuns.blogspot.com
Also, If you know of any traditional nuns that I could post on my blog, please let me know at janicelliam@gmail.com
Thank you! Please help spread this good site by posting it on your blogs.
If any of you have some information about this nuns, could you plz send it to me? It is so expensive to send them a letter because I live far away. Thank you.
An important historical point should be made here. The Discalced or Teresian reform of the Carmelites, from its earliest days, decided not to use the Carmelite or Jerusalem Rite. This was for practical and pastoral reasons. Practically, it was easier to observe the dominant rite of the Catholic Church. Pastorally, the Roman Rite was seen as uniting the reformed Carmel, with its missionary thrust, more closely with the wider church especially in its response to the Reformation. A traditional community of Discalced Carmelites would not use the Jerusalem Rite.
Apologies if my previous entry was published and I am repeating.
There seems to be a misunderstanding here between a Rite and a Calendar. All branches of the Carmelite family have a calendar with distinctive feasts with propers provided. This is within the Roman Rite. The Jerusalem Rite (Carmelite) is an ancient rite no longer followed by the main branches of the order. While the Ancient Observance only stopped observing it 50 or so years ago, the Discalced or Teresian reform, from its earliest days, opted to observe the Roman Rite not the Jerusalem Rite. This was for practical and pastoral reasons, as well as maybe asserting their distinctiveness within the Carmelite family. It is contrary to the traditions of the Teresian reform to observe the Jerusalem Rite.
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