Once in a life-time blessing!
We continue now with our second reflection from our dear Father Tony Mugavero, a priest so beloved to so many in our diocese! He shares with us what it meant to him to offer Holy Mass within our cloister during the months of our choir renovations when our public chapel had to be closed.
Celebrating Mass at the Carmelite Monastery has been such a blessing for me. However, this privilege took on an even greater and unexpected blessing for nine months. Due to construction taking place, the normal chapel was no longer able to be used, and the public was not able to enter. Mass was only to be celebrated privately with the Sisters inside the Cloister. I have celebrated and presided at Mass in some of the holiest and blessed places in the world. Alongside these memories and their specialness to me, I will always remember celebrating Mass at the Carmelite Monastery the first nine months of 2024. In summary, here’s why:
I vested, passed through the Confessional, and immediately I was in the cloister of the Carmelite Sisters!... As we walked into the hallway, the outdoor grounds became visible. So colorful and beautiful with the feeling of Paradise! As I processed down the hall, I passed the Infant of Prague and a beautiful painting of St. Teresa. Music could be heard as the Sisters had begun singing the Entrance Hymn. I was greeted by St. Joseph as my fingers touched the Holy Water.
Entering and reverencing the Altar, there they were… so humble and not imposing figures - vested humbly in their Carmelite habits….
Beginning “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” …
“Lord have mercy… Christ have mercy… Lord have mercy” - the sincerity… the intensity… not perfunctory…
The Word of God - attentive… listening… following along… eyes closed…
The Consecration - a pure glance… a look… very powerful...
Sign of peace - beaming and exuding joy…
Communion - lips moving, eyes closed, complete devotion…
Recessional - Walking past the presence of consecrated souls to God…
The last space before I leave the cloister… the relics of several Saints and a relic of the true Cross and behind it a saying of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila), “I would endure a thousand deaths rather than violate even the least of the ceremonies of the Church.” … Indeed, Dear Lord – Give me the strength and holiness of the Saints and these Sisters to live faithfully to You! … I thank You and the Sisters, for this once in a life-time blessing!
In thanksgiving,
Fr. Tony Mugavero