Special Marian Edition

CHARIOT OF FIRE Carmelite Vocation Newsletter of the Province of St. Elias

Winter 2009 SPRING 2010 Special Marian Edition

“Carmelites see in the Virgin Mary, Mother of God and archetype of the Church, the perfect image of all that they want and hope to be. For this reason, the Carmelites have always thought of Mary as the Patron of the Order, its Mother and Splendour; she is constantly before our eyes and in their hearts as “the Virgin Most Pure.” Looking to her, and living in spiritual intimacy with her, we learn to stand before God, and one another, as the Lord‟s brothers.” CARMELITE CONSTITUTIONS 27:91-92

Mary brings the good news of salvation to all men and women. CARMELITE CONSTITUTIONS 27.89

“Mary lives among us as mother and sister, attentive to our needs; along with us she waits and hopes, suffers and rejoices.”

The Carmelites have always envisioned Mary as an aide in their spiritual life. My first introduction to our Lady was when I was a boy. I remember seeing a statue of Mary in my Grandmother‟s bedroom. It was always very polished and at times my grandmother would put flowers below her feet. We knew how much our grandmother loved Mary. She would always go and honor her in the little Church she attended. I am sure some of her devotion to Mary rubbed off on me.

Carmelites do have a powerful relationship with Mary. Throughout history, Carmelite friars have looked upon Mary for spiritual insight. Our great spiritual writers found her qualities of simplicity and deep pondering valuable for teaching one to search for God and do His will. While some groups promote Mary as Queen and even protector, Carmelites focus on her motherly presence and her quiet abiding love; that nurtures, and is ordinary.

The response of Mary to the angel Gabriel is the most important “yes” in the history of our world. It continues to inspire people to take courageous steps in their Christian life. It paves the way to overcome those tired excuses that keep people mired down in a life half lived.

In this issue of the Chariot, we asked some of the friars to contribute articles with Mary in mind. To each of us, Mary points the way to searching and finding God. This is especially relevant today. There is no doubt that the Church is suffering. It has been said that we are facing some of the biggest challenges ever faced by Christians, in any age. The abuse scandal alone has caused harm to the faith of many individual Christians. Some important leaders in the Church conclude we are experiencing the passion. If so, it is also true that Mary never abandoned Jesus or the disciples. She was there at the foot of the Cross until the end. She was there in the upper room until her son emerged from the ranks of the dead in glory and ready to start his disciples on the journey of a lifetime.

It really does not matter whether the Church is suffering or in a time of great peace and growth. God calls men and women to serve. Scripture is ripe with stories of people being called. Some Br. Robert E. Bathe, O.Carm. Vocation Director responded with all their heart, while others could not follow the Lord because the cost was too much. Whatever the response, the fact that people are called by God is what is important. Are you being called? We need dedicated men of God, to join our humble group of friars in spreading the Good News. We invite you to come walk with us in our search for the face of the living God. From the Provincial Very Rev. J. Mario Esposito, O. Carm.

Dear Friends,

I am happy to add a few words to the Marian issue of the Chariot of Fire, the vocation newsletter of the St. Elias Province of the Carmelite Friars. All of the members of our religious family take a keen interest in fostering vocations to our Order. We belong to an ancient yet ever new fraternity that seeks to serve the Lord and His people with the zeal of Elijah the Prophet and the love and fidelity of Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.

As May is traditionally Mary's month, it seems very fitting that we dedicate this issue to Our Lady. Yet, I must say this first. May is not more Mary's month in the Order of Carmel than any other month is Mary's month in Carmel. Our vocation, our life is always permeated with devotion to Mary - the Mother, the Sister, the Virgin and the Queen of Carmel. Every month and every day and several times a day, 365 days of the year, we turn to our mother in prayer, ending our Offices and Masses with prayers to Mary, celebrating her feasts, and considering her as the perfect example of the soul, the whole person turned toward God completely and faithfully, the model disciple. Like our mother, Carmelites always strive to be in the heart of the Church at prayer with the other disciples of the Lord. Like our mother, Carmelites always strive to do the will of God as it is revealed to us, even when the will of God may be mysterious or demanding. Like our mother, Carmelites always strive to follow both her example and her instructions regarding Our Lord, “Do whatever He tells you.” While this is a high ideal, it is our ideal. We do not select a special month to honor Mary any more than Mary selects only special times to help us or guide us. She is always with us and we intend to be and attempt to be always with her. The Carmelite scapular that we wear is a testimony that we belong to her. Clothed in her habit, we seek to imitate her virtues and her total dedication to Christ and to serve others with the joy and fidelity that marked her life.

We are fond of saying among ourselves that Mary belongs to Carmel in an altogether special way. Oh yes, she is the mother of all the faithful, all priests, and all religious. But, Carmel is Mary's - always has been, is, and always will be and we Carmelites are hers, plain and simple.

God bless you and Mary keep you always.

3 The Role of MARY in Carmelite Formation

Rev. Paul A.M. Denault, O. Carm. Pre-Novice Director

+Maria in along with the light that we gain you.” (John 2:5) Those simple words When the first Carmelites came to- from the Scriptures. The early Car- embody her own approach to the gether on Mount Carmel some 800 melites recognized, then, that in or- spiritual life, doing whatever the Lord years ago, they were embarking on a der to grow in prayer and contempla- God asks of her. The early Carme- new quest. They were seeking the tion, they needed to follow the exam- lites, then, took Mary as their exam- presence of God by contemplating ple and guidance of Mary. ple of living and acting in accordance deeply the Scriptures along with their with the will of God. She is seen by Mary is also described in the Scrip- own experiences. In this quest for them as a woman of action. tures as the person most attuned to God, they came to see the Blessed doing God‟s will, after her Son, of Virgin Mary as their preeminent course. Confronted with the call to guide. The earliest Carmelites were serve God‟s plan, she replied, attentive to the scripture passage that “Behold, I am the handmaid of the described Mary as keeping “all these Lord. May it be done to me according things, reflecting on them in her to your word.” (Luke 1:38) When heart.” And also, “his mother kept all she asked her Son to help a wedding these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, couple embarrassed by the lack of 51) Contemplation is this act of re- wine, and he seemed to rebuff her at flecting interiorly on the things that first, she immediately told the ser- surround us, the activities we engage vants, “Do whatever he tells

4 Since Carmelite spirituality is so heart the events often identified with the silent life of and the words of interior prayer, it may seem strange the Lord. She is to refer to Mary as a woman of ac- the faithful disci- tion. The true fruit of deep authentic ple of wisdom, prayer is the desire to love others who sought Jesus more. The early Carmelites spent – God‟s Wisdom much time in silent reflection of the – and allowed Scriptures and so realized that at the herself to be heart of the mystery of God is a love formed and Pre Novices at St. Eliseus Priory, Harrison, NJ that reaches out to help other people. molded by his Spirit, Then they saw Mary acting the same so that in faith she might be conformed to STUDENT way: out of love and concern for the his ways and choices.” The Constitu- good of other people. She became for tions go on to say, “Carmelites see in VOICES them the model of both, intense the Virgin Mary, Mother prayer and loving action. of God and archetype of the Church, the perfect When a person comes to formation What image of all that they in the Carmelite Order today, he or want and hope to be. For qualities of she is asked to begin by gazing on the this reason, Carmelites have Mary have image of Mary that is found in the always thought of Mary as helped Gospels. The young Carmelite is the Patron of the Order, its you this asked to take on Mary as the model Mother and Splendor; she is for life. Mary teaches us to reflect on semester? constantly before their eyes the events of the days, the experi- and in their hearts as „the ences we go through and signs of the “The Motherly embrace Virgin Most Pure.‟” (Article 27) times, all the while seeking the that Mary gives us in her deeper presence of God in every- Those who seek to learn the Carme- scapular and her encouraging thing. She also teaches us to go out lite life are asked to keep Mary be- example of pondering the and “do whatever he tells you.” fore their eyes and hearts as the per- things of the Lord Moved by the love and compassion of fect image of the Carmelite: prayer- Jesus, we are to respond with deeds ful, contemplative, yet eager to help day and night.” of mercy and forgiveness. We are to other people in their daily burdens. bandage wounds and give hope even She gives to those who come to her in the face of death. We are to work not only the protection of her -Dustin for what would promote true justice prayers, as she prays for all the Blackwell and peace. Pre-Novice Church, but also the support of a The Constitutions of the Carmelites good model, a good guide, to the have this to say about Mary, “Mary is deepest parts of the Christian life. the Virgin of wise and contemplative lis- She is the Perfect Image of all that we tening who kept and pondered in her hope to be in Christ Jesus.

5 My Life as a Carmelite by Rev. Alfred Isacsson, O. Carm.

I am Alfred Isacsson. I have been a Car- After five years of this life, I was trans- melite for fifty-seven years and a priest ferred to Saint Simon Stock Parish in the for fifty-one years. I make a distinction Bronx to serve as a parish priest. I took between these two because I lived as a care of the Teen Club and taught in the parish high school. I was happy there Fr. Alfred Isacsson is a Carmelite for six years before I was or- dained. Being a Carmelite came first and doing only ministry that was priestly. It retired Carmelite priest should I have not moved on to ordina- was not to last for long. The provincial who spent his ministry in tion, I still would have been a Carmelite asked me in 1967 to move to Saint Al- teaching, parish work, living out the daily obligations of being a bert's Junior Seminary in Middletown, member of the order. NY. In those days, the 1970's, those vocation recruiting and thinking of becoming a priest went to a school administration. He In my time the Carmelite education was seminary for their high school years to has written books on accredited by Saint Bonaventure Univer- learn what the life of a priest entailed sity. While in its graduate school, I had and receive the proper studies that pre- Carmelite history, as my major professor, Peter Marron. pared for the study of theology. I taught Dr. Edward McGlynn With his direction, I chose to write my young men whom I considered wanted and John Surratt. thesis on John H. Surratt who was one to become like myself. of the conspirators involved in Lincoln's In 1976, the ideal of the high school assassination. When I did my research, I seminary was fast losing credibility was studying theology in Washington, among young people. Because our en- DC and had access to the National Ar- rollment was falling, I volunteered to chives where I uncovered previously work in our Vocation Department re- unpublished material. At the insistence cruiting young men for the Carmelites. of Peter Marron, I sent the finished the- Before this I was able to have a three sis out for publication. It was accepted month sabbatical researching Carmelite and published in the Maryland Historical history. These were difficult years re- Review when I was twenty-six years old. cruiting students for religious life and Because of this article, the provincial at the priesthood because of the changes in the time thought I had publishing talent the Church due to Vatican II and also in and he made my first assignment as a our society. I did this for seven years but priest being the editor of The Scapular felt then that a change was in order. magazine. This brought me to live at Our Lady of the Scapular parish on Man- In 1983, I went to Pope John Paul II hattan's East Side. Besides the magazine High School in Boca Raton, FL, to teach. work, I did priestly work in the parish I also ran the book store and coached and Bellevue Hospital. There were also boys and girls golf. I had a snow free and two Carmelite Third Order chapters cold free life and worked among won- that I ministered to. derful people for eight years. Each sum-

6 Right: Fr. Alfred celebrates Mass at Our Lady of Mercy, Deerfield Beach, FL Below: Fr. Alfred works on “The Scapular”

mer, I went to Rome on my vacation of Tarrytown so there time and did research in archives on the were always people stopping in at the Carmelites and Doctor Edward priory or making church visits during McGlynn. When not otherwise in- the day. volved, I wrote on these areas and had After ten years as pastor, I was finally articles regularly published. I was so replaced and since I was sixty-nine and involved working on Doctor McGlynn a half years old, I was given six months that I asked to move to the New York grace and retired. I came to be in resi- area so I could finish my book on him. dence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel That is how I came to Transfiguration Parish in Middletown, NY. That is where I am now. I help out with the With Pete Christie and in his office at Pope Parish in Tarrytown, NY. As one of two John Paul II High School, Boca Raton, FL parish Masses and sacraments as parish associates, I was able to spend time in New York City using the librar- needed. I am using my past research ies and archives there. I finished and and have published three books and two published two books on Doctor or three scholarly articles each year on McGlynn. After one year as an associate Irish history or the Carmelites. After at Transfiguration, I was asked to be the forty-four years of working for the pastor. I did that for ten years and en- Church, the Carmelites have given me a joyed it very much. They were wonder- nice retirement. I have a lot of free time ful days of doing what I was ordained which I spend caring for the Carmelites' for: offering daily Mass, preparing cou- archives, praying, writing and getting in ples for marriage and doing their cere- some golf. mony. There were also confessions and To anyone who wants to do good, instructions to do. Caring for the sick serve their fellow men and women and burying the dead were other duties. and insure their salvation, I recom- Transfiguration Church is in the middle mend life as a Carmelite and a priest.

7 CARMELITE BEATIFICATION

On April 25, 2010, Carmelites celebrated the Beatification of Angelo Paoli, O. Carm., at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome . The process for beatification began in 1927. Beginning the program was a torchlight procession to the Coliseum. Festivities were attended by several members of the St. Elias Province including Fr. John Horan, Fr. Christopher Iannizzotto and Fr. Joseph Hung Tran pictured left and below.

Left to right: Fr. Craig Morrison (PCM), Fr. John (SEL), Fr. Christopher (SEL) and Fr. Joseph (SEL)

8 Pre-novices celebrated Holy Week with our Prior Provincial, Very Rev. J. Mario Esposito, O. Carm. and the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa’s Motherhouse in Germantown, NY. Pictured left to right are Kristopher Chance Mathis, Joseph Dat Cao, Fr. Mario, John Baptist Tinh Pham and Dustin Blackwell.

HOLY WEEK 2010

Above: Br. Nigel Ali assists at the Easter Vigil mass.

Above: Br. Bob Chiulli participates in the traditional Holy Week Procession at St. Simon Stock Parish in the Bronx, NY Jesus carries the cross in the St. Simon Stock procession

9 I commend my poor and my sick to you...

Excerpts from the letter written by 19th March 2010 Solemnity of St. Joseph Prior General FERNANDO MILLÁN ROMERAL to the Carmelite Family on the occasion of the beatification of Father Angelo Paoli

Carmel, with all its This is why I invite the whole Order of Carmelites and the many groups and Carmelite family in general to approach with joy this solemn branches, is to be found beatification. I invite you to give thanks to God for the Church‟s nowadays in all five official recognition of the sainthood of one of our brothers. I invite continents. It lives you to make a careful study of the saint‟s biography and the among many cultures testimony the new Blessed has left us. It is to him that I commend in and in many social a very special way all those Carmelites (religious, lay, groups, etc.) contexts. Along with the who work with the poor and who help to alleviate the conditions of more conventional the most needy. By his intercession may the Lord bless and ministries (parishes, accompany you in this difficult but necessary work.” schools, houses of spirituality), quite a “Fr. Angelo also lived with intensity his Carmelite vocation. In fact, number of Carmelites are his was a well meditated and discerned vocation because he entered involved in the work of the convent after he received tonsure and after having thought peace and justice, in about other forms of religious life. According to his biographers, it social development, and could have been devotion to Mary that oriented him towards in the assistance of the poor and marginalized. For a number of Carmel, the Marian Order. Ever since his youth he had a deep decades now the Order has an international commission for “Peace, devotion to Mary. We know that he used to visit the hermitages of Justice and the Integrity of Creation.” Carmel has become very the Blessed Mother in the nearby fields, where he spent long periods aware of the prophetic dimension of its charism and identity, which in prayer. lead us to discover the signs of the presence of God in the poor and the most vulnerable. Since this presence sometimes appears as sub Later in life he took on and made his own the Carmelite way of contrario (in oppression, in misery, in the suffering…), we have to being devoted to Mary, especially through the Scapular. During his approach it with a deep contemplative gaze, enlightened by faith free time, he made scapulars which became “famous.” There are and filled with charity, with the tenderness and trust of those who records that when he founded the hospital for the convalescents in believe, with the faith of the mystic and with the transformative Rome, the notary and the employees who helped to arrange his commitment of the prophet. contracts books, did not want to charge him money, but only requested scapulars made by him. Fr. Paoli intuited the strength of I believe this commitment to the most poor and needy members of this simple symbol so beloved and so appreciated by the Carmelite our modern societies will be given an enormous boost and example family. by the figure of Venerable Angelo Paoli, who is going to be beatified this coming April 25th at Saint John Lateran, in Rome. His As befitted the Carmelite piety of the time, Fr. Angelo was zealous beatification will surely be a source of great joy and pride for all about the conventual life and the other signs that serve to express the Carmelite family, which now sees another of its members raised love for the Carmelite Order, its spirituality and traditions. He to the glory of the altars.” loved to wear his habit. For him it was a symbol of poverty, rather than a mark of distinction). He was faithful to religious observance, “The witness that this Carmelite gave to the 17th and 18th despite his multiple occupations; obedient to the superiors; fraternal centuries is very inspiring and thought-provoking. It is of great and close to the brothers in community … Fr. Angelo was an relevance today, despite the difference in time that separates us. We exemplary Carmelite, a man who found in his Carmelite vocation, have already indicated on previous occasions that processes of not an impediment or a burden, but an incentive and a source of beatification are not the mere remembrance of a glorious past, nor inspiration for his work with the poor.” any kind of “archaeological” activity (as if we were digging up fossils), but a living sign which calls us to be alert, questions us Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. about our present and guides us towards our future. Prior General

10 Quotes from the 2nd Annual Carmelite Saint Essay Contest Each year, the Vocation Department invites our Carmelite Middle Schools to participate in an essay contest about the saints and their message to live God‟s call. Numerous essays were received from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Middletown, NY, as well as St. Jude Catholic School, Boca Raton, FL and St. Simon Stock School in the Bronx, NY. This year‟s top prize winner is Samantha Gonzalez, 8th Grader at St. Simon Stock.

St. Therese of Lisieux

Blessed Elizabeth “Some of the ways of the trinity in which the quali- St. Teresa ties of St. Therese of Avila “If only children in of Lisieux could help students in my school would un- my school is by encouraging them “I would want St. derstand that God is to look outside the box, to speak Teresa of Avila our breath of life and he is the their mind and always find ways to around my life and in reason in which we are able to grow in communion with God.” my school and church community open our eyes each and everyday, -Nathalia for many reasons. One is that she they would understand that looks persevered and didn‟t let anyone and perceptions of others do not stop her from spreading God‟s matter. God‟s perception is what word. She also told people the should matter.” -Samantha Blessed Titus brandsma right way to act and didn‟t hide her true feelings. I would want her around because she was an “Blessed Titus honest person who loved God and St. John Brandsma became could help me love God to the of the Cross a saint because of best of my ability.” his attitude, personality and faith- -Kristina fulness to the Lord. He always “St. John of the “St. Teresa of Avila had some stuck up for the innocent, and Cross is like a light. characteristics that I think would spoke the truth. He was known During dark times, he is someone certainly help a lot of students in mostly for his constant availability to follow or someone to say, my school; one of which is her to everyone. He would make a “Keep going!” He has been astounding ability to combat bad huge improvement of belief, through a lot and he knows. Lots happenings. She was an extremely kindness and generosity in our of kids, and adults, can relate to resilient person who never al- school today. He would spread him. Pray, pray, pray. That‟s all lowed a bad incident to disrupt and teach the gospel to us and St. John of the Cross did, and look her focus. She was always able to help us through tough times. All at him now. He is a saint. He en- climb back and improve herself.” of us would learn to give more couraged. Maybe even you need a -Steven little motivation. Pray to him!” and receive less, as well as being -Julia thankful for what we have. He would teach us to treat everyone equally and with respect.” -Kenny

11 Discernment Rev. Michael Kissane, O. Carm.

Do I feel called to religious life? Am I called to serve the Church in some other way? What does God want from me in my life? These are difficult questions to answer. The discernment process is often a long and difficult road to travel. A candidate discerning a vocation to religious life can have many questions and few answers. At times, because of all the options, a candidate may feel it is too difficult to make a decision. Therefore, some make no decisions.

Fr. Michael Kissane O.Carm. It is helpful to "process" all the options one may have. We often find it is Novice Director for the difficult to make a decision because we are too caught up with how we "feel" about our options. One may appear easier. Another may not be Province of St. Elias considered because it never crossed our mind!

and Chairman of the It is often the case that we are more controlled by our feelings than we are Formation Committee. by our cognitive thoughts. In other words, our heart gets in the way of our mind. In order to make good decisions, we must involve both our heart and mind.

I would like to share a process that has been helpful for me when I had to make difficult decisions in my life. It is a process that can help us to "think" about our options in an objective way. I believe it is a process that can bring some clarity for a person who may be discerning a Religious Vocation.

The first step is to get a piece of paper and write down the decision that has to be made. If we are discerning a call to Religious Life, the decision is to pursue this call. Second, write down the decision not to be made - i.e. not

12 pursuing Religious Life. Then make two columns for each decision. Write down the pros and cons for both decisions. Write down as many that you can think of that are honest A Discernment and true. Process After this is done, evaluate the weight of those decisions you have written. Are both decisions about choosing 1. Write down the decision to be made. something good? Does one weigh more heavily than the other? Are there more reasons to make one decision than the other? 2. Write down the decision not to be made.

Next, choose one of the decisions! This is perhaps the most 3. Make two columns for each decision. difficult part since we often feel we may be leaving something out. Yet, if we fail to make decisions in our Write down the pros and cons for both lives, we fail to grow. Once the decision is made, live with decisions. it for a week. It is not good to act or make decisions quickly. Talk about your decision with friends. Listen to 4. Evaluate the weight of those things you your feelings, thoughts and dreams. have written. Are both decisions about Then, "wear" the other decision for a week! What are choosing something good? Does one your feelings now? How has your prayer been during the weigh more heavily than the other? week? Do you feel comfortable with this decision?

Always remember that vocations come from God. 5. Choose one of the decisions. Live with it Therefore it is important throughout the process to pray. for a week. Talk to friends about it, listen Reading scripture and spending time listening to God in prayer are extremely important. to your own feelings, thoughts, dreams, sleeping and walking patterns. Finally, make a choice and live with it. Follow up on your decision by taking whatever steps are necessary to pursue it. 6. Wear the other decisions for it week. What are your feelings now? How has Making decisions is not easy, but when they are made the your prayer been during this week? right way, they can be very liberating. As you go through the discernment process in regards to Religious Life, know that God is with you! Pray for God's guidance and the 7. Make a choice. Live with the decision. wisdom that is needed to make the right decision!

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:18 13 Mother Mary in my New York City life Rev. Sunny (Vincent) John, O. Carm.

me. This year in the St. Patrick them that she will indeed tell her son Cathedral in Manhattan, New York, I to care for their concerns. Mary was was sitting in front of the side altar always considerate towards others. dedicated to our Lady of Guadalupe She did not worry or fear when the for the Chrism Mass. In the middle of angel said to her that she would be the Mass a nun came in front of the the chosen one of God, to be the It is almost impossible to put into shrine, knelt before Mother Mary Mother of God. Although afraid, she words one‟s relationship with and remained in the same position, trusted. She knew that the God of anyone. When it comes to my deeply lost in prayer until the time of Abraham, Jacob and Joseph had the relationship with Mother Mary, I Holy Communion. She knew all the power to make her situation always find difficulty in explaining priests were watching her. She was understandable to Joseph who had how it feels. If I find difficulty in not ashamed or embarrassed. She not “been” with her as of yet. describing my human mother, who only knew Mother Mary and she gave me life and blood and love, how loved her from her heart. We know Mary has concern for could I possibly describe the others when hearing of the story of relationship that Mary has with When it comes to love, there is no Elizabeth, her cousin. When she humanity and God? To understand time or place that isn‟t transformed heard her cousin Elizabeth was six our Heavenly Mother Mary, we will into a meeting place for the beloved. months pregnant she ran to her in first have to grow in virtue. A friend told me when he was in love haste. This is the same Mary that runs he talked to his friend more than to us in need. She extends the mis- God knows us. When Mary was con- sixteen hours at a stretch. Do you sion of her Son and prepares disciples ceived by Anne and Joachim, God believe what I tell you? I do not even for their journey. This is an impor- chose her to be the Blessed Mother of believe it! When he told me, I had to tant factor for anyone discerning a God the Son, through the eternal believe. When it comes to real love, vocation to the priesthood. She will power of God, the Holy Spirit. All there is no time limit, shame, or fear, run to your aid. Have you ever met a God needed was her consent to His only love and feeling. holy priest in your life? I have seen eternal plan of Salvation. Mary as a that the saintly priests are very de- child was chosen and prepared to be When people come to me to share voted to Mother Mary. They have holy for all eternity. Mary lived a life their sorrows, I will tell them to go consecrated their lives to Mother without sin, an extremely rare gift to to our Mother Mary and I assure Mary. They are never for want of humanity. She is the perfect woman, anything. wife, mother, model, and helper of all. She is humble, sincere, consider- If you were a mother, would you not ate, loving, strong, courageous, protest the idea that your son was faithful and a trustful woman. She is going to die for wretched sinners? I an embodiment of all virtue. would! She did not command anyone to stop, or try to tell Pilot the truth When I was a little child, whenever I about who he was. She was with her wanted anything special, I ran to my son when he was carrying his cross mother and asked her to get it for for us. Imagine the scenes of me, and she would go to my father Calvary. I have seen many people get and talk him into letting me have up and leave the room or just cover what I wanted. My father could their eyes when watching the passion never say no to my mother and I St. John the Martyr Church in the film “Passion of Christ”. knew my mother would get it for East 71st Street, NYC Imagine Mother Mary standing at the

14 Fr. Sunny John with his St. John the Martyr community: Fr. Paul Feeley, Fr. Sean Harlow and Fr. Ambrose Costello (Irish Province); Parishioners enjoying Fr. Sunny‟s Christmas Magic show; reflecting in NYC‟s Central Park

foot of the cross for us. If you have prominent place for Mother Mary. of help, we begin to realize that witnessed the death of any of your Our ancestors who worked hard to God has been surrounding us with loved ones, you know how it feels. build these churches really under- his movement and action every sec- It takes a lot of faith to stand there stood the need and importance of ond of every day. Our Mother with them in their suffering and still Mother Mary in our troubled world Mary, full of virtues and mercy, maintain hope. Mother Mary did and in our ever modernizing city. teaches us every day to be humble. this for us so our own faith could be She preached without using any strong; what a model of devotion. I In Genesis, God promises that on words, a powerful way to commu- cannot but love her. She is my the Mountain God will provide. nicate. Very few sentences are beloved Mother. Yes, it was fulfilled on the heard spoken by Mother in the Gos- Mountaintop of Calvary. God did pels. All that she tells us, is to do Go to her, I say, run to her when provide for all humanity, for all what Jesus tells us to do. I thank you are in pain, when you are eternity, the greatest gift of all, God every day for Mother Mary in abandoned, lonely, unwanted, Mother Mary. In Isaiah, 49: 15 God my life, as my mother and my sister frustrated. You will certainly find asked, “Can a Mother forget her in Carmel, my source of rest and be at peace at her side. child? Even if she forgets, I will not spirituality. She knows your pain; she has gone forget you.” Yes, indeed, God did through pain at the highest levels. not forget us. He gave us Mary who „Mother of Carmel, queen of She is your Mother, given by Jesus is always at our side. heaven and star of sea show me Christ at the foot of the Cross. You every day that you are my mother have all the right to ask your Mother Pride is an outward sign of and my sister and lead me to your for help and she is ready and willing emptiness. It takes a person many son now and at the hour of my and able to help you. Why wait to years on the human journey to death. Amen.‟ ask her? Take her home as St. John discover the truth, we are nothing took her to his home upon Christ‟s and everything at once. We are chil- Ave Maria+ command. dren of God and at the same time There is no Catholic Church in New we are but worms. When we recog- York City which does not have a nize ourselves as sinners and in need

15 Vocation Discernment Weekends are being scheduled for the Summer and Fall

St. Eliseus Priory Harrison, NJ Contact Br. Robert Bathe, O. Carm Vocation Director [email protected] Elijah (845) 344– 2225 Our Lady of Mount Carmel

www.carmelitefriars.org

Vocation Office P.O. Box 3079 Middletown, NY 10940-0890