Monastery for nuns now under construction

By Raul Leon Perez - La Voz Catolica

 

HOMESTEAD| In the Redland, amid the agricultural fields of Homestead, the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites is slowly taking shape.  

Due to high construction costs and the urgent need to conclude the work, the nuns have asked for special permission to temporarily exit their cloister and visit parishes throughout the archdiocese to collect funds. 

“We ask the pastors to permit us to visit their community during the weekend Masses,” said Mother Alba Mery, one of 12 Discalced Carmelites currently living in their temporary cloister — the former convent of the Sisters of Mercy on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Church in Hialeah. 

“We present ourselves to the community. We present our mission in the Church and the project that we have, and then we invite them to help us,” said Mother Alba Mery.

People can give outright donations or buy some of the delicious cookies, peanuts, almonds or granolas they make, along with religious articles and religious crafts.

“The answer of the faithful has been wonderful and we are grateful to those who have given us however much or however little they could,” Mother Alba Mery said.

Eight Discalced Carmelites arrived in Miami from Querétaro, Mexico, on Oct. 15, 2001, becoming the first contemplative community in the archdiocese. 

Religious in contemplative orders — known as nuns and monks — dedicate their lives to prayer, while those in apostolic orders carry out ministries in the world, such as teaching or nursing. They are called sisters and brothers, or men and women religious.

The Discalced Carmelites trace their spirituality back to the communities founded by St. Teresa of Avila in the mid-1500s. This year marks the 500th anniversary of her birth. 

During their first three years in Miami, they settled in a house belonging to the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in South Miami. Since 2004, they have lived on the grounds of Immaculate Conception in Hialeah. But the nuns have always expressed the desire to have their own monastery, a much larger place where they could live out their vocation. 

Miami’s late Auxiliary Bishop, Agustin Román, frequently visited their cloister. When they told him that a wealthy benefactor was going to give them a big house in which to establish their monastery, he advised them to decline the offer, and suggested instead that they build their monastery with contributions from the community — much the same way he built the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. That way, all would have the opportunity to partake in the work.

“From that moment we understood perfectly the benefits that Bishop Roman’s initiative would bring to the sisters and to the faithful,” said Mother Teresa, the current superior of the community. “We got down to work and we began the task of touching the hearts of many people close to the Carmelite order and even approached some non-Christians and non-believers, inviting them to help our work with their contributions.”

In 2009, thanks to Divine Providence and the savings gained through the work of the community, they were able to buy a parcel of land in Homestead. After a long process of permits and approvals, construction of the monastery began in August 2014.

“During these months of construction of the convent, people have collaborated with money; some with a lot, others with a little,” said Mother Teresa. “Someone has given us building materials; some architects, engineers and designers have not charged for the elaboration of the construction drawings, etc.” 

“We have also received help from other monasteries in the United States and Mexico,” the mother superior added.

It should be emphasized that throughout the project the sisters have not remained idle. They continue to contribute the funds they raise through their work, which includes distributing the unconsecrated hosts to various churches.  

The monastery now has walls and a roof but much work remains to be done — and much money is needed to do it. Doors and windows need to be added, and the chapel and rooms (called cells) where the nuns will sleep need to be finished. Among other tasks, the floors need coating, lamps and light switches need to be installed and the building needs painting. 

The nuns are once again looking for ways to purchase materials and pay the laborers.

A contemplative monastery is not just the place where the nuns will live but also one where they celebrate Mass and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. It is also the place where they work, either in the sacristy, in the kitchen, in the garden, in the orchard, or at sewing and in other handcrafts. The whole life of these nuns takes place in the monastery, so the structure must have everything necessary to make that possible.

At present, the community is composed of 12 women, including four local vocations that have been added since their arrival. Once the monastery is complete, they will be able to accept more vocations, and devote themselves completely to their vocation: prayer.

“The contemplative nuns are called to cooperate spiritually with the apostolates of active life,” said Mother Teresa. “We contribute concretely to evangelization, to ecumenism, to the extension of the Kingdom of God. Ours is an eminently spiritual contribution which constitutes the soul and ferment of the apostolic initiatives. While missionaries talk to people about God, we speak to God about his people.”

 HOW TO HELP

The sisters are continuing their labor and need help from the community. Donations may be sent to:

Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Inc.
4525 W. Second Ave.,
Hialeah, FL 33012.

 The sisters can also be reached at The sisters can also be reached at http://www.monasteriodelasantisimatrinidad.org

or by phone at 305-558-7122.