Carmelite Shrines

The Grotto is dedicated to the Chosen One, who was hailed so sublimely: "Full of Grace". Created in 1954.

The Divine Infant is represented as "The Infant Jesus of Prague". This devotion originated in a Carmelite Monastery in Prague, and later spread all over the world.

Cavern-like Gallery with sixty-three high relief sculptures cured in Italy of the purest, impeccable Carrara marble on the walls. Contains each invocation of the Litany in sculpture.

These rocks react with amazingly bright and unusual colors, to a product of our invention, ultraviolet rays of quartz lamps in honor of the Mother of our Savior.

 

Mary, Mother of Mercy

During the Second World War a Polish army chaplain placed this representation of Mary on the field altar on several of Europe's battlefields. Our Lady's protection brought him safely to America and when building this Grotto, this Carmelite priest in thanksgiving, enshrined his precious possession in this chapel.

Twelfth Station

Calvary Christ's redeeming death on the Cross, is honored. At the bottom, the statues of a man and woman representing mankind with great trust looking toward the crucified Christ. Twenty-eight granite steps of the traditional Scala Santa (Holy Stairway) leading to the top of Calvary are not to be walked on. The Crucifixion group, cast in bronze makes us reflect on God's goodness.

Holy Sepulcher Chapel

Fourteenth Station: Underground chapel with the center point of Christ in Tomb. It rests on a pair of enormous fluorite crystals, one weighing 600 lbs.

Flagellation Chapel

Marble and alabaster statue of the scourged Christ.

St. Terese with Father

St. Terese tells her father of her desire to enter Carmel.

Father Kolbe Shrine

Statue of Father Maximilian Kolbe a saint of modern times. While he was a political prisoner at the Nazi Auschwitz concentration camp and in August of 1941, out of compassion for the family of a fellow prisoner, Francis Gajowniczek, who in reprisal for the escape of a prisoner was compelled to die by starvation, Father Kolbe begged and obtained permission to die that painful way for Mr. Gajowniczek. His ashes, along with those of the other four million victims, were strewn over the Auschwitz swamps. The beneficiary of Father Kolbe's heroic act survived the ordeals of the concentration camps and is pictured on this page, together with the builder of the Carmelite Shrines, viewing the statue during a visit in 1975.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

The fountain of Evangelists is located at the east side of the monastery building. The elevated Scapular Madonna looks graciously upon the pilgrims who come to honor the "Queen Beauty of Carmel".

New Church

At the south end of the parking lot is located the new church. Sun rays emanate from Christ in the tabernacle to inspire us to a life of charity and give us support and strength to perform the works of mercy represented in the side windows. From left to right: a loaf of bread is given to the hungry; justice given to all after breaking chains of prejudice on human minds and hearts; and instruction given to those ignorant of faith. Next, the works of mercy: praying for the living and the dead; being a peacemaker; and taking care of orphans and the elderly.

The Mural

The enormous mural on the rear wall (700 square feet) shows the tree of charity growing on earth and bearing fruit in eternity. Heaven, the "celestial Jerusalem", where according to St. John's vision, the Lamb of God, like a sun shines on its happy inhabitants, is reached by hands filled with works of mercy. The eagle symbolizes St. John and farsighted people who, conscious of life's test - charity - but selfishly take in all earthly pleasures. The small gold fish running away from the dragon fly represents our youth, who quite often for a short period embrace this kind of philosophy, but later on join the "wise" full-grown fish, symbols of Christians, who while still on earth, try to be as close as possible to Christ's inspiration.