“Truly this is no other than the house of God and the gate of Heaven.”
St. Teresa of Jesus
Life of Prayer
Dedicated to Our Lady
Praying for Priests
Pray for Our Novitiate!
It is Jesus…
Have you been thinking about a vocation to Carmel?
Come and see. You can contact us to set up a time for visiting.
It may be the best thing that will ever happen to you!
Write to us at: carmelitenuns@outlook.com
or at: 1931 West Jefferson Road * Pittsford, NY * 14534
Two Steps Forward, one look back…
As we wait with hope and expectation the completion of our Choir Renovation project (we are specially grateful to Swiatek Studios for bringing the work to a beautiful and inspiring close) we offer you a further reflection from another one of our fine chaplains, Fr. Anthony Amato, pastor of St. Peter’s multi-site Parish in our Diocese of Rochester. Fr. Amato is always an inspiration as he celebrates Holy Mass for us, in both his words and his prayerful demeanor. God bless you, Father! Here is his reflection.
Dear Mother,
I just wrote this reflection and included it in my current bulletin article. God bless, and I will see you tomorrow.
My reflection:
“When I accepted the opportunity to offer Mass for the Carmelites a couple years ago, I knew what a privilege that was, but also that it would be a sacrifice to make that drive each week. Of course, at the heart of that choice is to give glory to God through the Sacrifice of the Mass, and to serve the Sisters who do so much for us priests and for the diocese, although their work is hidden from the world.
As I reflect on those months of walking into the cloister and offering Mass and preaching, the feeling of the sacredness of that place will never leave me. At first, I had the feeling that I was walking into a place that I did not belong, going through a door that is normally locked, down a hallway that I had not seen before, the view of the yard in the back of the cloister, and finally, the close proximity of the Sisters during the Mass. That sense never left me as the months went on, but my own appreciation of the monastic life only grew.
I believe there is a part of the priest’s soul that longs for the cloister, that longs for intimacy with the Heart of God that can be found in the “beautiful garden” of a monastic life. Yet, in my case, the priest must live in the world, with all its cares and responsibilities, while forming that “garden” in his soul through his prayer and devotion, most especially through his deep encounter with our Eucharistic Lord.
My time of offering the Mass in the cloister at Carmel allowed me to catch a glimpse of their beautiful life and the privilege to which God has called them. I know that my priesthood and my ministry greatly benefit from that time. I am so grateful to have shared that with them for those months.
My Sisters, by assured of my daily prayers you all!”
Fr. Anthony
Patron – ‘nicing’
St. Andrew Apostle, who was the first disciple called by Our Lord, is the inspiration behind some very noble and simple Catholic practices.
Firstly, he is symbolized by the a cross with diagonal crossed arms. This image is used often in heraldry and is actually included in our Diocese of Rochester coat of arms (for those of us who are blessed to belong to this diocese, of course!). But he is also the inspiration behind a beloved prayer tradition. As prayer is at the very heart of our Carmelite life, we want to share this Novena prayer with you giving you an insider’s view into one of our best “secrets of the house”. It is known as the St. Andrew Christmas Novena.
Though it would seem to be too early as yet to be thinking of Christmas!, this Novena could more accurately be seen as an Advent Novena in preparation for Christmas. This is particularly true in 2024, as Advent begins this year on December 1st, the day after the Feast Day of St. Andrew: November 30th, the first day of the Novena.
This prayer has a “special” twist to it that makes it appealing. Instead of the regular nine days in which novenas are usually said, this prayer lasts from Nov. 30 to Dec. 24th, right before Christmas Day. But in addition to the length, it also calls for the prayer to be said 15 times each day! So by the end of the Novena, one is not only well acquainted with the words, there has also grown in our hearts, a deeper awareness of the very exact and sublime moment in which salvation came to us in the person of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem. For this reason alone, It is worth the extra effort. Do not stop praying, however, if one or another day you don’t make 15x… Jesus will be born in you all the same, because of the love with which you awaited Him. Here is the prayer…
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires
through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.
Amen.
Prayer Requests
We lovingly offer our prayers for you!
Holy Father’s Intentions
November 2024
For anyone who has lost a child
We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
Examination of the Incorrupt Body and Relics of St. Teresa
On Aug. 28, 2024, the relics of St. Teresa were opened. Video: Procession of the relics: CLICK HERE.
Video: Interview (Spanish/Italian) CLICK HERE
