A message from the shrine director
ROUNDING THE CORNER; TURNING THE PAGES
Here we are in the month of September already! We have certainly experienced a beautiful, albeit hot summer season so far! The drenching rains over the past few days have brought quenching relief in so many ways and remind us of God’s promise and presence among us!
The canonization of Carmelite priest Titus Brandsma on May 15, 2022 was a highlight of these past few months and his presence in our Shrine as newly canonized St. Titus Brandsma is a holy, welcoming addition. His books and life story are filled with examples of courage and profound love and are worth exploring if you haven’t already done so. And the power of persistence in prayer can be found in the written account of the journey of Carmelite Fr. Michael Driscoll’s illness and subsequent recovery due to the intercession of St. Titus Brandsma. We are truly blessed to have St. Titus in our midst!
As we continue to move through Ordinary Time in our liturgical year here at the Shrine, it helps to recenter ourselves on the mission and ministry of Jesus and his profound message of love and inclusion. We are blessed to see many people back at our weekday and Sunday Masses. We have also grieved the loss of many Shrine friends this year as well. As our life journeys continue and we place our needs in Our Lady’s hands each day, we will continue to hold each other up in prayer in this beautiful gathering space!
The upcoming months will present several spiritually uplifting programs for your consideration:
1) A Morning of Prayer to be presented by Sr. Peggy Murphy will focus on “Art and Spirituality” and will be held on Thursday, September 15th, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. You are invited to join us for this special event as we come to know the presence of God through two very beautiful works of art, Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigal Son” and a Caravaggio masterpiece “The Taking of Christ.”
2) The Feast of St. Therese will be celebrated Saturday, October 1st will include a nice schedule of both devotional and social activities. Just as Therese would strive to do small things with great love, she left us an example of sacrificial love done with simplicity and grace. Joining us on this day will be a wonderful way of honoring her request as we seek to celebrate her life and remember her little way. Fr. Justin Cinnante, O.Carm will present a morning conference, followed by the Feast Day Mass and an outdoor potluck picnic with music, games and good fellowship to be held in the afternoon at our outdoor picnic grove.
3) We are also honored to once again co-host the presence of the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag in the Shrine from October 15-23 along with the Fil-Am (Filipino/American) Catholic Community of Hudson Valley. All are invited to visit and pray a novena and offer for your special intentions. A very special votive Mass will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 5:30pm celebrated by Most Rev. Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, followed by a potluck dinner in our Pilgrim Hall Dining room.
Our special event information and registration flyers are always posted on our website and updated on our Facebook page regularly.
Lastly, we are blessed to welcome Fr. Marlon Beharry, O.Carm. as our Shrine Chaplain! He will begin his new ministry at the Shrine on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 and we look forward to his presence here! We will grow in faith and love together and continue to persevere in the mission and ministry of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel! May our Lady continue to lead the way and shine her light on us all!
May God continue to bless you abundantly! Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Carol Bezak
Shrine Director