I had the privilege of being at Niagara Falls, this year – and was greeted so warmly by the large crowd. Here in Darien, three Carmelites presided at the different Masses and services, including Fr. Joseph Atcher our new Midwest Regional Provincial, Fr. Bernhard Bauerle, the new Shrine Director, and Fr. David Simpson.

It is so inspiring to see people whose lives have been deeply touched by St. Therese come together – and some of the witness accounts of how she touched them were very moving. The Banner with all the intentions sent in is beautiful and evocative. We still have it hanging in the National Shrine. I know that our beloved heavenly friend was enjoying the whole celebration.

Fr. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm.

Fr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm., at Friday's closing Mass of the Chapter.

We welcome V. Rev Carl Markelz, O. Carm., newly elected Prior Provincial of the Most Pure Heart of Mary of the Order of Carmelites during the Provincial Chapter meeting June 20-24, 2011 here in Darien. Fr. Markelz comes to us from his prior post as principal of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago.

Chapter 2008 participants (image courtesy of Sal Lema, Director of Communications, Carmelite Media

The Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary will be meeting on the Darien campus for their 2011 Chapter meeting during the week of June 20-24.  Although the Shrine and Gift Shop will remain open to the public during their regular hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. , the Shrine Chapel will be in use by the Carmelites and there will be no 11:30 a.m. Mass during the week.  Regular Mass will resume again on June 27, 2011.

Our Carmelite Gift Shop carries a large selection of St. Therese devotional items and many religious books. The Gift Shop is located within the Shrine building. If you aren’t able to visit the Gift Shop in person, you can view their St. Therese items on their website at carmelitegifts.com

The Gift Shop is open Monday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm CT. You can reach the staff at 630-969-0001.

The Six Paths for Finding God

Carmelite Spiritual Center

Led by Father David Simpson, O.Carm.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
9:30 am – 1:30 pm

The Spiritual Masters outline the paths to God: belief, independence, disbelief, return, exploration and confusion.  These are the paths many seem to travel.   What do the Masters say to people on each of these paths?  Spend some time with Father David in discovering your path and learning how to find God.

Cost: $40.  Includes Eucharist and lunch.  Register by May 3rd.

June 2011

Memories: Remembering and Being Re-membered

Led by Father Bob Colaresi, O.Carm., Sister Jane Schlosser, R.S.M., Father David Simpson, O.Carm.

June 5-10, 2011 or
June 12-17, 2011 or
June 26 – July 1, 2011

This retreat will consider the words of Jesus about remembering: “Do this in memory of me,” and our plea: “Remember us, when you come into your kingdom.”  We will consider how we yearn to be ‘re-member-ed’ as we journey through life, so that we are always new in our relationship to our God who never forgets us!

Each day includes two presentations, Eucharist, and Evening Prayer.  Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation are also offered.  These retreats begin at 7:00 pm on Sunday, and conclude at 1:00 pm on Friday.

Cost: $355.  Includes private room with private bath, delicious home-cooked meals, snacks and all materials.  Register as soon as possible, as space is limited.  $100 non-refundable deposit is requested at registration time.

July 2011

“I Will Never Forget You”: God’s Promise to Each of Us

Private retreat with Spiritual Directors available

July 10-15, 2011

This quiet retreat offers the opportunity to deepen your experience of God’s presence in the silence of your hearts.  Spiritual Directors are available for support and prayerful reflection.  Or you may choose to have a private retreat.  Eucharist and evening prayer are offered each day.  The Sacraments of Reconcilation and Anointing will be offered.  This retreat begins on Sunday at 7:00 pm and concludes Friday at 1:00 pm.

Cost: $399.  Includes spiritual direction; or $335 for private retreats; private room with private bath; delicious home cooked meals.  Non-refundable deposit of $100 is requested at time of registration.  Fifteen spaces are available for private retreats.  Register early.

For more information on all retreats and workshops, write or call the Carmelite Spiritual Center:
Phone: 630-969-4141
Fax: 630-969-3376
Email: retreats@carmelitespiritualcenter.org
Visit the Carmelite Spiritual Center website for further details and a downloadable registration form.

Map drawn by St. Therese at age 12

Many people have had the privilege of touching or holding relics of St. Thérèse – pieces of her body, her clothing, her sand dial, her lantern, and her prayer book. I remember holding the original map she drew of North America at age 12 and feeling the impressions of her pencil on the back side of the map – I really was in touch with young Thérèse and her youthful energy and worldwide curiosity.

Therese with Chalice, Ciborium, and Paten

The Carmelite Nuns of Lisieux have shared with the Carmelites in Darien many of the relics and memorabilia of St. Thérèse we display at the shrine. Because of their generosity, we have the largest collection of relics and personal artifacts of the Little Flower outside of Lisieux at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Darien, IL. The Carmelites are proud to make her Relics available to be touched and experienced in this beautiful shrine and museum.

The nuns have agreed to periodically lend us precious memorabilia of Thérèse from their rich museum and archives. We all know that among her many jobs in the convent, Thérèse was the sacristan; she prepared everything for the convent Mass. Many of us have seen the picture of her at the sacristy table, preparing the chalice, paten and ciborium. It is one of the 47 pictures taken of her during her life by Celine, her sister.

With the gracious permission of Sr. France-Marie, Prioress of the Carmel of Lisieux, we now have on display the actual Chalice, Ciborium and Paten she was preparing each day, along with the velvet tablecloth with the gold fringe she used each day.

Chalice, Ciborium and Paten, on loan until October 2011

Some people may recall that she mentions this in her “Story of a Soul” autobiograpy, especially when she looked into the paten to see what she looked like (they had no mirrors in the convent) and then realized how proud she was being and put it down. People can today see, in the Darien, IL, National Shrine, these precious religious articles which she touched and used daily – and even look into the paten to see the vague image. These articles have never left the Carmel of Lisieux since St. Thérèse’s time. I hope many people are able to come and visit – and be with her in this very real, tangible way.

Fr. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm.

The center of the National Shrine is a chapel, dominated by huge stain-glass windows that depict the journey of the soul to God, modeled on St. John of the Cross’ Ascent of Mount Carmel.

The front of the chapel features a large wood carving of the life of St. Therese. The carving was designed by Helen Henke and hand-carved in Italy by Vincenzo Demetz Figlio. Measuring 12 feet by 28 feet, it tells her whole life story in a visual and beautiful way. It is the largest wood carving of a religious nature in the United States.

The Carmelite Priory, modeled after the White House in Washington

The National Shrine of St. Therese is situated on a 50 acre Carmelite campus in Darien, Illinois. The beautiful grounds feature a 2 acre spring-fed lake and the Rosary Way devotional area. Also located on the campus are the Carmelite Spiritual Center, the Carmelite Priory (pictured above), the Carefree Village senior community, and the Society of the Little Flower offices as well as the Provincial office for the Carmelite order of the Most Pure Heart of Mary.