By Blanca Morales - Florida Catholic

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES| FC

Carmelite laity pray during the dedication Mass on May 16 to bless the new Our Lady of Mount Carmel House of Prayer in Miami Gardens.

MIAMI GARDENS -- A sturdy house is built upon rock, and in the case of the Discalced Carmelite Friars of Miami, their house is also built upon prayer.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel House of Prayer opened its doors May 17, less than two years after the closing of the friars� old location, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Spiritual Life Center in Miami Gardens.

Through the pioneering work of Carmelite Fathers Eusebio G�mez and Lucio del Burgo and Brother Jorge Llorentes, the order has had a strong presence in Miami for the last 20 years.

But they did not have a place to call their own. Mount Carmel Spiritual Life Center was owned by the archdiocese. It closed in July 2008, when the property it was located on was put up for sale.

Seeking to re-launch their presence in the archdiocese, the Carmelites sent a request to work out of their own house � and the archdiocese readily accepted.

From the new prayer house located at 15710 N.W. 44 Ct. in Miami Gardens, four friars, three of whom are priests, will continue to share their Carmelite charism with the public.

The property is very suitable to carry out the mission of leading people to increase their spirituality, according to Carmelite Father L�zaro Rene de la Fe, who will serve as superior. It consists of a convent for the friars and a house for retreats, spiritual exercises and spiritual direction.

�Whoever wishes to strengthen his or her faith will be gladly attended by us,� said Father de la Fe.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES| FC

At the conclusion of the dedication Mass, the Carmelite Friars take the Blessed Sacrament to the prayer house's chapel, a tradition that serves as benediction of the new building.

The friars� mission is to build up the spiritual life of members of the Church, be it through retreats, confession, or daily Mass that is offered Monday through Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament also will be preceded by Mass at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

As Father de la Fe explained, persons can be easily bound by the world. �Those bindings are easier to bear when the spirit is strengthened.�

As superior in Miami, he coordinates house life, serves all who visit, and is ready to lend a hand and an ear.

�We live in a time in which people need someone to listen to them. We are willing to stop what we are doing to listen to anyone who needs to talk,� Father de la Fe said.

Mass was celebrated May 16 to dedicate the new house. It was attended by approximately 300 people, many of whom were Carmelite laity.

Concelebrating the Mass along with the local friars were six Carmelite priests from abroad, including Father Francisco Javier, superior in the Caribbean region. Another guest of honor included the rector of St John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.

As is customary when dedicating a prayer center, Mass concluded with a procession where the priests carried the Blessed Sacrament to the chapel, located in the prayer house, as a benediction.

At the end of the Mass, Brother Llorentes said to the congregants, �We rely on you. You are the reason for our presence here, to share the wealth of our charism. We feel blessed by the Lord.�

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES| FC

A view of the exterior of Our Lady of Mount Carmel House of Prayer, which is located at 15710 N.W. 44 Ct. in Miami Gardens.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES| FC

This banner hangs inside the Carmelites' new house of prayer in Miami Gardens.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Our Lady of Mount Carmel House of Prayer is open to the public. It is located at 15710 N.W. 44 Ct., Miami Gardens.

The house will be staffed by Carmelite Fathers L�zaro Ren� de la Fe, Miguel Gil-Diaz and Jorge Zurek, and Brother Jorge Llorentes. Their mission is to promote Carmelite spirituality in all its expressions and to accompany the different groups that come to the house searching for God in their lives.

The house will offer the following services in Spanish:
� courses in Christian and Carmelite spirituality for prayer groups, leaders of Christian communities, clergy, and religious;
� guided individual and group retreats;
� group retreats with their own guide;
� sacrament of reconciliation and spiritual direction (by appointment only);
� Mass on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 a.m.;
� Mass with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

For information call 305-816-6468.