Franciscan University of Steubenville Vocations Fair

The Carmelites are well represented at the Franciscan University at Steubenville's Vocation Fair - all three of the Friars' Provinces, one of the Associations of Carmelite Nuns, three individual Carmels of Nuns and one community of active Carmelites Sisters.

All in all there are over 100 Religious Communities and Dioceses represented. And today, we had a special guest from Rome join us. Can you pick him out in the picture?

50th Anniversary

On September 12, 2009, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, our community at Mount Saint Joseph in San Jose, California celebrated the 50th anniversary of foundation. Bishop Patrick McGrath, Bishop of San Jose and Fr. Matthew Williams, Provincial Superior, were present with us.

During the Eucharistic Liturgy special recognition was given to the many benefactors who have made our life possible over the last 50 years.

For more pictures go to our facebook page. Click on the icon to the left.

Bro. Peter Mary's Profession

On September 8, 2009, Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Bro. Peter Mary of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus professed the Evangelical Counsels of Poverty, Chastity and Profession. In his homily, Fr. Matthew, Provincial Superior, noted that this is the seventh First Profession of our Province within the last year (4 in California and 3 in Uganda).

Bro. Peter joins eighteen of our Friars who look to September 8 as their anniversary of Profession.

Happy Anniversary to:

Fr. Reginald – 64 years

Fr. Ailbe – 62 years

Fr. David – 54 years

Fr. Colm – 53 years

Fr. John of the Cross – 52 years

Fr. Albert – 50 years

Fr. Gilbert – 34 years

Fr. Stephen – 31 years

Fr. Donald – 27 years

Fr. Thomas – 26 years

Fr. Matthew – 26years

Fr. Richard Classen – 24 years

Fr. Jan – 22 years

Fr. Christopher – 21 years

Fr. Adam Gregory – 11 years

Fr. Laurence – 11 years

Fr. Mario – 11 years
Fr. Jose Luis - 11 years

Bro. Peter Mary 1 day

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother!

New Postulants

On September 1, Feast of St. Teresa Margaret Redi (Discalced Carmelite Nun), Brett Sharp and Charles "Dusty" DeLacey joined our community in a simple ceremony during Vespers.

Brett Sharp, from Whittier, California, attended California State University, Long Beach and worked as Special Events Coordinator with our Carmelite Sisters at Sacred Heart Retreat House.

"Dusty" DeLacey, from Owensboro, Kentucky, joined us during his third year at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. Dusty is our fourth "Steubie" to enter within the last three years.

Please pray for these men and their final perseverance.

New Seminarians

On August 10, 2009, our three most recently professed Brothers from Mount Saint Joseph moved to our house in Mount Angel. They will being their seminary studies in preparation for the priesthood this fall. (left to right) Bro. Marinello will begin Theology I and Bro. Charles and Bro. Richard will begin the Pre-Theology Program. Their absence will soon be filled by our two candidates who are entering the Postulancy on September 1. We look forward to Mr. Brett Sharp and Mr. Dusty DeLacey joining the Order of Our Lady.

The Brothers are pictured with two of Mount Saint Joseph's oldest and dearest friends and benafactors, Charles and Betty Harris. They have served the Friars at Mount Saint Joseph for the last 50 years. The Province is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Mount Saint Joseph this year.

Fr. Robert

Fr. Robert's "Serving the Mass 101" instruction at our St. Therese Parish, Alhambra, Ca.

Solemn Profession

On July 25, 2009, feast of St. James, Sr. Emily Marie of the Cross, O.C.D. made Solemn Profession of the Evangelical Counsels of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience as a Discalced Carmelite Nun of the Carmel of Saint Teresa. Five of our Friars were present with Sr. Emily Marie and her community. Fr. Jan Lundberg, OCD, was the homilist.

Thank you to Reverend Mother Prioress for permission to post this photo.

Perpetual Profession

On Sunday, July 19, 2009, Fr. Adam Gregory had the great blessing and privilege of serving as the Main Celebrant for the Mass of Perpetual Profession of Sr. Lucia of the Holy Spirit, O.C.D. Receiving her vows was Mother Regina Marie, O.C.D., Superior General of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.

Summer Student Seminar

Each summer, our Friar-students gather for an intensive study of some aspect of Carmelite spirituality. This year, the students, guided by Fr. Christopher, studied OHF, St. John of the Cross' work, the Ascent of Mount Carmel. The students read, discussed, wrote a paper, drew a diagram which represented a modern day Ascent of Mount Carmel, and gave an oral presentation.

Bro. Raymond giving his presentation

Bro. Richard explaining his modern day Ascent to Mount Carmel.

Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ

What a blessed and joyous way to begin the Year for Priests! Today, Fr. James Zakowiz, OCD, and Fr. Ramiro Casale, OCD, were ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests. Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, was the ordaining prelate. The rite of ordination within the liturgy took place at our St. Therese Parish in Alhambra, California.

A slide show of the liturgy and celebration will be available, next week, at http://www.discalcedcarmelites.com/

Fr. Stephen's 25th Jubilee of Priesthood

On June 16, 2009 Fr. Stephen Watson of the Cross, O.C.D. celebrated the 25th Jubilee of his ordination to Priesthood of Jesus Christ. It was a blessing for the Mount Saint Joseph Community to host this Jubilee since it was in the same chapel that Fr. Stephen was ordained on June 16, 1984.

May Crowning

On May 30, the vigil of Pentecost, the Friars at Mt. St. Joseph hosted a "crowning of an image" of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With procession, rosary, crowning, flower offering and benediction, about one hundred people joined the community in this traditional ritual which became popular in the 18th century.

Seminary Graduation

On May 13, 2009, three of our Brothers received academic degrees from Mount Angel Seminary.

Rev. Bro. David Guzman, O.C.D. received a Master of Divinity Degree. Deacon Bro. David will be assigned to one of our ministries in preparation for his priestly ordination.

Rev. Bro. Ramiro Casale, O.C.D. received a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity Degrees. Bro. Ramiro had previously received an STB degree from the Teresianum in Rome. Deacon Bro. Ramiro will be ordained in June and receive an assignment to a ministry in our Province.

Bro. Leonel Varela, O.C.D. received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and will return to Mount Angel Seminary next fall to begin his Theological Studies.

Diaconate Ordination

Bro. Mark Kissner was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 23, 2009 by Archbishop John Vlazny (Archbishop of Portland) at St. Mary Cathedral.

Bro. Mark and his parents.

Thanks to Mr. Matthew Townsend for the pictures used on this post.

Carmelite Directors of Formation Program

Fifty-two Discalced Carmelite Friars and Nuns from all over the U.S. (and Canada and Guam) gathered in Seattle, Washington for the Carmelite Directors of Formation Program from May 17 through May 26. Fr. Gerald, Fr. Adam Gregory and Fr. Christopher represented our Province.

Address to the Order

Our new Superior General, Fr. Saverio Cannistra of the Sacred Heart, addresses the Order at the conclusion of the General Chapter.

Transition Retreat

Seven of our Friars met recently at the Cardinal Manning House of Prayer for Priests, Los Angeles, for a "Transition Support Retreat". For five years following ordination, our Province offers particular support to our men transitioning out of Formation and into the life and ministry of the Province.

The Retreat was composed of Conferences, dialogue, Sacred Liturgies, confession, individual spiritual direction, fraternal sharing and recreation.

Rome visit

I was greatly blessed recently with a fifteen day pilgrimage through Italy and France. The pilgrimage began in Rome where I was able to visit with the three members of our Province who are presently stationed in Rome.

Fr. Jose Luis, Fr. Stephen, Fr. Adam Gregory and Bro. Juan Elias.

We also had a great visit with our two Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart who are stationed in Rome: Sr. Judith and Sr. Pauline Therese. It was also a special blessing to have our good friend, Norbertine Frater Elias, who is doing his theological studies in Rome, join us. Frater Elias is the son of two of our San Jose OCDS members: Steve and Marlene Rauwold.

Our new Superior General

On April 20, 2009, during the General Chapter held in Fatima, Portugal Fr. Saverio Cannistra of the Sacred Heart was elected as our new Superior General. Fr. Saverio is from the Tuscany (Italy) Province.

For more information, please visit our Generalate website: www.discalcedcarmel.com

Holy Week Schedule at Mt. St. Joseph

Holy Thursday

Mass of the Lord's Supper 5:00 p.m.

Good Friday

Outdoor Stations of the Cross 2:00 p.m. (difficult up hill climb - 1/3 mile)

Commemoration of the Lord's Passion 3:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday

Easter Vigil 8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday

Lauds 8:30 a.m.

Holy Mass 9:30 a.m.

Carmelite Monastery

12455 Clayton Road

San Jose, California