By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Mass for the blessing of new convent home of the Carmelite Sisters serving at Coleman Carroll High School, and on the feast day of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. Miami, FL, Saturday Aug. 29, 2026.
Pope St. John Paul II would say there no coincidences but providence. Or what we might more popularly call: God incidences.
Perhaps the feast of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist and the blessing of your new convent home might be considered an example of a God incidence, Because in the mystery of God’s providence, the tragic death of the Baptist and the blessing of this convent share the same foundation – namely the total consecration of a life to Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist lived a life stripped of worldly comforts. His pulpit was the wilderness, and his strength was his absolute fidelity to the truth. In the ultimate test, he poured out his life, holding nothing back for himself. As religious sisters, you know this path well. Your vows are a daily echo of John’s declaration: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
The walls of a convent are not built to hide from the world, but to create a sanctuary where Christ can truly increase—where your prayers, your silence, and your community life become a living sacrifice for the salvation of souls enabling a fruitful apostolic life and ministry.
