On Day 2 of our Pilgrimage to Consecrate to the Unborn Jesus, we visited the Mount Carmel Center, a Monastery and Retreat House of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers. This day, December 14th
was also the feast day of St John of the Cross.
There were famous Carmelites who helped form this religious order. St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross worked for the reformation of the Carmelite order. St Therese of Lisieux, St Elizabeth of the Trinity. St Simon Stock, St Edith Stein are some famous Carmelites.
The Center is located in a high hilltop upon 45 acres of land. The Carmelites nurture spiritual growth through prayer, service and contemplation via retreats, conferences and ministries to parishes. The Superior and Director, Father John Magdalene Suenram, O. C. D. was the happy and welcoming person who took us on a tour of the many chapels—small for private use and large for group use. We viewed reliquaries and beautiful life like Crucifixes.
Father John was so happy showing us the beautiful chalice given to him by his parents at his ordination. He likewise had been blessed to have inherited a chalice of a dear friend who had been a Prisoner of World War II.
Father John Magdalene Suenram, O. C. D. became a PAPA Priest that day--filling out our forms.
We asked Father John about one of the many famous Carmelites--St John of the Cross.
The best advice given to us by Father John was to read St John of the Cross books, one line per day, and contemplate. Will do!!
Welcome, Father John, to PAPA
God Bless You
