(Future site of the main house, God willing)

 

As hits to the various posts regarding the newly founded Irish Carmelite Hermits (Victim Adorers of the Holy Face of Jesus) continue to be among the most popular on Sodalitium Pianum, we thought fit to bring you some more news on the growth and progress of this young community (and please note that you can review all the Sodalitium Pianum updates on the Irish hermits simply by clicking on the “Carmelite Hermits” tag above the pic at the top of this article, which will bring you to a list of all of them).

The most important news for all supporters of the Carmelites is surely the first apostolic visit of His Excellency, Bishop Jean-Michel Faure (Superior General, SAJM), who, being in country for the blessing of Fr. Ballini’s chapel on the Feast of All Saints, made a planned detour to visit the hermitage with Fr. MacDonald.  During the visit, the bishop was able to meet with the hermits collectively and individually, and the report I received in this regard was that a favorable impression was made upon His Excellency.  In addition to the general introductions and interviews, other matters were discussed, such as appointing a suitable confessor for the hermits (perhaps someone from Avrille?), which implies an ongoing collaborative relationship between the hermits and Bishop Faure (which is the best news we could have hoped for)!

Sodalitium Pianum also received word that the Carmelites continue to build.  Previous reports showed the erection of a simple but functional fence for the enclosure of the hermitage, and also the construction of additional hermitages/cells to accommodate future vocations.

The latest development in this regard is that the hermits are now in the process of excavating in preparation for the pouring of a concrete foundation for the eventual building of a simple main house.  Doing what they can with the meager funds available, the Carmelites have found a frugal, functional solution to offsetting expensive construction costs: Building with shipping containers.  Shipping containers (stacked and/or connected) offer many benefits compared to masonry or wood construction: On the one hand, they provide a solid frame for sturdiness and longevity, and on the other hand, they eliminate much of the labor cost associated with carpenters and masons (see pics of some examples at the conclusion of this article).

It would seem that Providence is blessing this hermitage.  In the last year, the hermits have gained:

• The favorable impression of Bishop Faure, and established future collaboration with him;
• One vocation admitted to the Novitiate, and interest from several more ladies all over the world;
• Sufficient funding to make the most frugal of building accommodations (to include additional cells, and enclosure, and now excavation for a concrete foundation for the future main house;
• An established relationship with Fr. MacDonald and Fr. Ballini’s nearby chapel for the reception of the sacraments;
• An excellent website complete with horarium, vocational, contact, and donation information.

The proof, as they say, seems to be in the pudding.

However, these hermits are ENTIRELY dependent on Providence: They have no legacies, no endowments, no trusts.  If they survive, it is primarily as a result of Providence inspiring people like you to send modest donations from time to time.

For all those who want to fight to restore Christendom, let us not permit these endeavors to be snuffed out: The founding of contemplative orders is the very beginning (and arguably the most important) step in that process.  But it is a process, and requires the sustained contributions from the same society which would benefit from it (i.e., Contributions from you and I).  This is what makes for Christian Society: A unity of purpose, and cooperation toward that end.

Archbishop Lefebvre said the restoration of the Church will NEVER happen without contemplative religious.

Let’s not let them starve themselves out of existence.

Will you please consider visiting the Carmelite’s website (here) to make whatever donation you can?

I will put my money where my mouth is: I have donated before (not as much or as often as I should have), and I will donate $50 now.    For me, it amounts to a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.

But for the hermits, it could buy (2) 50lb bags of rice (maybe more?), which would feed them for a month!

Please don’t hesitate to donate on the presumption, therefore, that you cannot contribute anything “meaningful.”  Everything/anything is meaningful (particularly, as an act of charity to be imputed to us at the Judgment.  From this perspective, your donation is actually an investment, of sorts).

These are obviously and necessarily very frugal religious, and a small donation goes a very long way.

Meanwhile, here is another picture of the excavation site for the (hoped for) future main house one day, a photo of the picturesque landscape, and a couple examples of shipping container construction:

[Note: These are just internet examples of shipping container construction, not actual plans for the hermitage]