Dear Friends in Carmel,

Praised be Jesus Christ! As Carmelites, unworthy though we are, God has called us to perpetuate the charism of His Virgin Mother. This is indeed a great challenge as we seek to enter into the profound union of the Mother of God with the Adorable Trinity, to bear witness to the Lord and to His love. However, I dare to say further that it is not just our monks that are called to this tender devotion and imitation of our Lady, but you too as a faithful Scapular wearer and a friend of our monastery and Her Order are invited to work zealously for the greater honor of the Blessed Mother. Indeed, what sacrifice is too great for our glorious and immaculate Queen and Mother!

It is the love of Her that inspires us to found here in our country a New Mount Carmel. We do not work for this end for ourselves, but rather and simply for the Virgin Mother. She has always shown a most particular affection for the family of Carmel and in these times when we need our Lady’s aid and intercession so very much, can there be anything more noble than founding a monastery dedicated to Her, a convent of nuns where She is praised, and a retreat center where numerous souls are able to enter into the mysteries of the life of the Mother of God and in turn, Her Divine Son?

Our vision of a New Mount Carmel has as its deepest reality a desire to venerate the Blessed Mary on Her Carmel. This vocation of a Carmelite is resounding in the hearts of our young people; they are seeking to enter our monastery and to live a life of contemplation in a most busy and loud world. I desire with all my heart to give the gift of mountain solitude to my sons and to a community of nuns, but also to you that you might come away for a few days and know in your heart the peace that comes from deep union with our Lady.

As you might suppose, our vision is great. Indeed, we are poor monks who cannot possibly acquire mountain property on our own. I know simply that God has placed this vision in our hearts and in the heart of our founder, Bishop Ricken. I have seen in the past weeks and months that slowly many people are being captivated by this vision of a monastery of monks, a convent of nuns and a retreat center. Perhaps the greatest testimony to this zeal and generosity in the laity has been the establishment of a foundation for the sole purpose of helping us to accomplish the New Mount Carmel. The foundation board is comprised of professional men and women who are donating their talents to help the monks realize this great vision. They have chosen the name, “The New Mount Carmel Foundation” and are spearheading an effort to help us raise the funds.

The establishment of the New Mount Carmel Foundation has inspired me to want to share with all of you, our closest and beloved friends, the fullness of our vision. Today I am enclosing a newsletter published some time ago. Perhaps some of you have received it before and others not, but I would ask you to reread the newsletter and to begin to consider the great importance of transplanting our monastery to the mountains. It is my hope to write more frequently in the upcoming weeks and to lay bare not just the beautiful life we live, but also the rich spirituality born on Mount Carmel.

With a promise of my most particular prayers, I impart my Blessing and send my love to each of you.

Your devoted Father in Christ,

Fr. Daniel Mary of Jesus Crucified, M. Carm.