A Moment of Blessing
Blessing of the Chapel Cornerstone
- 14 September 2025 -
Exultation of the Holy Cross
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
Praised be Jesus Christ!
God sure has blessed us in this season. Every year on the feast of the Exultation of the Cross we, as a Carmelite community, begin what is called the time of observance. This does not mean that we are not living the observance of our life as Carmelites throughout the rest of the year. It just means that we have entered into the time of the fast prescribed by the Rule of Saint Albert. Yes, from September 14th through Easter Sunday we observe a period of fasting, excluding Sundays and other major feasts and solemnities of the liturgical year (like Christmas, Epiphany and their Octaves). This period is not just about fasting, it is also a time in which we can observe with greater care all the various elements which make up Carmelite life like silence, solitude, and prayer.
The Cornerstone with Three Lines of Inscription in Latin and the Shield of the Order of Carmel. The Latin translates: “To the Virgin Mother of God, the Beauty of Carmel”; “This is the House of God and the Gate of Heaven”; Followed by the Year of that the Cornerstone was Placed: 2025.
This year, the time of observance commenced with a special blessing. On the feast of the Exultation of the Cross, Archbishop Bernard Hebda the ordinary of our local Church, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, blessed the cornerstone of our chapel. The ceremony was simple but very beautiful, a meaningful step for our community as we continue to build the future of our hermitage on the foundations of our public chapel. We were joined by family, friends, and benefactors of the monastery for the celebration of the cornerstone blessing.
Our architect Ducan Stroik along with his wife Ruth joined us for the event. Accompanying Ducan, was his associate Forrest Walton. Tim Siegried, our general contractor along with his wife and family were also present. We were joined by so many who have supported this project on so many levels and are helping us to realize our goal of opening a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel to the public.
The event began with tours of the chapel guided by our own Prior, Fr. John Mary Burns, O Carm. The rest of the community was also present to greet all the guests who joined us for this historic moment. After the touring, the ceremony followed. Archbishop Hebda led us all in prayer. The hermits opened with a simple antiphonal chant. Fr. John Mary, the Archbishop, Ducan Stroik, and Tim Siegfried took a moment to address all gathered. With words of inspiration filling our hearts, everyone was ready for the blessing. Archbishop Hebda prayed the prayers of blessing over the cornerstone and blessed the edifice with holy water. A time for conversation and refreshments followed the conclusion of the ceremony. It was truly a joyous moment of grace for everyone present.
We want others to join us in our life of prayer. This event was just a foretaste of what our community hopes to provide for those in our area who are looking for a place to pray and worship. The blessing of the chapel cornerstone was a wonderful showing of support for our growing community. We are so grateful for all that you, our friends and benefactors, do for us. Please know that we pray for you.
God bless and reward you!
The Hermits
Other News:
Fr. Peter of Jesus Preaches in Hagerstown, MD for the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Jesus
Fr. James Boric, pastor of St. Mary’s in Hagerstown, MD, invited his good friend Fr. Peter to come to his parish to preach on the life and doctrine of St. Teresa of Jesus. The event transpired over the course of three Masses, which included extended homilies on the topic of prayer according to St. Teresa. The days of preaching were intended to raise awareness in Maryland (Fr. Peter is originally from Baltimore) of our Carmelite Community and the Chapel project, while providing the opportunity to share Carmelite spirituality for all those interested in the interior life. If you would like to hear and or download Father Peter’s talks on prayer, follow the links provided just below. We hope you enjoy them!
Homily: How to Pray Like St. Teresa of Jesus | 17 October 2025 (Note: Partial Recording.)
Br. Charles of Mary, Star of the Sea Makes his Solemn Profession
It is with great joy that we are able to announce the solemn profession of Br. Charles. Brother made his final commitment to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary on November 1st, the feast of All Saints. We are so happy for him, for his family, and for our community. His profession is a grace for all of us. We will provide more details about his profession in the next e-newsletter. Please stay tuned. In the meantime, help up to raise a prayer of thanksgiving for Br. Charles and his faithful witness to our life as Carmelite Hermits.