A worthy dwelling place

Bishop Michael Olson celebrates the founding Mass of Carmel of Jesus Crucified. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

MUENSTER — The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, observed Dec. 8, celebrates that Mary was preserved from sin from the moment of her conception, thus preparing a worthy dwelling place for her Son, Jesus Christ.

Thus it was fitting that on Dec. 8, the Diocese of Fort Worth also celebrated a worthy dwelling place for the Carmel of Jesus Crucified, a Discalced Carmelite Monastery established in the northwest section of Cooke County.

Bishop Michael Olson celebrated a Mass for the Foundation of the Carmel of Jesus Crucified at the monastery’s temporary location. 

Six nuns and two women in formation now reside in the cloister, living a life of prayer and sacrifice “for the sake of the reparation for sins, the sanctification of God’s people, and for the salvation of souls,” Bishop Olson explained to the small congregation of families, supporters, and diocesan staff.

After the Mass, Bishop Olson, accompanied by Vicar General Father Jonathan Wallis, Father Brett Metzler, Father Austin Hoodenpyle, and Father John Martin, performed the Rite of Enclosure for the new monastery. As the clergy circled the building with prayer and holy water, the congregation followed behind, offering their prayers.

A new Carmel

The Holy See, through the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, granted permission for the establishment of the Carmel of Jesus Crucified in the Diocese of Fort Worth in late November.

The monastery is affiliated with the “Christ the King” Association of Discalced Carmelite Monasteries in the U.S., which has several member monasteries. Most of the nuns now residing in North Texas have relocated from the Lake Elmo, Minnesota, monastery.

A Dallas man with family ties to Muenster offered his property in Cooke County as a temporary site for the nuns. The rolling, wooded hills offer “the seclusion so important to the spirituality and vocation of the Carmelite life,” said the bishop.

The enclosure, explained the bishop, “can attune the Carmelite sisters and nuns in their vocation, their vocation to be attuned to God’s promptings and attuned to the needs of the Church,” by spending time centered in Christ “through meditation, through contemplation, through Adoration of Him.”

Initial plans are underway regarding a permanent 35-acre site for the monastery on nearby land owned by the Dallas man’s brother. The donor said, “I’ve been praying for years — three or four years at least — asking God what to do with this land to share it with people. ‘This is your land. This is not mine. How do I share it?’” he remembered praying.

He downplayed the significance of the donation, insisting the land always belonged to God. He said, “It’s a wonderful thing for the community. I’m glad to play a very, very small part of it.”

The nuns may reside at the temporary site as long as necessary for the permanent monastery to be funded and built.

Rapid response

When the Catholic communities in Cooke County heard that the Carmelite nuns were planning to open a monastery in the area, “a lot of people raised their hands,” said a donor who, like the others, preferred to remain anonymous.

Within two weeks of the sisters deciding on a location in late November, donations of land, a manufactured home, money, construction supplies, and services had materialized.

With the day for the dedication Mass scheduled for Dec. 8, contractors moved the Carmel of Jesus Crucified to the top of their project list, pouring concrete for the monastery’s common area and renovating the manufactured home to accommodate eight cells for the religious women.

An existing structure on the property serves as a common space for worship and activities.

Other faithful have volunteered ongoing support for the sisters, planning to regularly remit a portion of their farms’ eggs, milk, and even freshly caught fish for the nuns.

Mary Del Olmo, a consecrated virgin who lives nearby, will be a bridge between the community and the nuns as needed. She and two others are forming a guild to provide practical and prayer support for the convent.

A hidden blessing

“I don’t think we realize how blessed we are to have this monastery in our diocese,” said Del Olmo, adding that their dedication to prayer blesses the local and worldwide Church. 

Del Olmo saw the Holy Spirit at work as she helped coordinate the preparations for the nuns’ arrival. As the plans fell into place within a matter of weeks, “so, so, so many miracles” occurred, she recalled. 

Bishop Olson said that, although hidden, the sisters offer “a witness of hope and holiness that strengthens us all.” He prayed, “May their vocation bring forth many graces, including priestly and religious vocations, holy and happy marriages, and faithful discipleship.”

Not only do the Carmelites pray for us, but Bishop Olson also reminded the faithful to offer prayers for the vocation of the Carmelites.

During the Rite of Enclosure, he led the congregation in prayer. “Grant your servants who will live on these premises these blessings: To listen to You in faith; to speak to You in prayer; to seek only You in their work; to find You in all they do; to become witnesses to the Gospel.”

Amen.

For prayer requests or financial support:

Prayer requests may be made by phone, 940-641-5564, or by mail: 

Mother Marie of the Incarnation,OCD 

Carmelite Monastery 

P.O. Box 308 

Muenster, TX 76252 

For those wanting to provide financial support, checks can be made to “Carmelite Monastery.” 

Please write “for the Texas Foundation” in the memo line. Additional means of communicating prayer requests or providing support may be forthcoming.