Perhaps you’ve seen the rotating ads on CMR promoting the Mystic Monk coffee. Well, they do more than roast beans. They are a newly-founded energetic community of contemplative Carmelites known as the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel who are serious about what they do: “strict monastic enclosure, two hours of contemplative prayer daily, study and spiritual reading, and manual labor.” While the community is currently still small (under 20) they are being inundated with vocation inquiries and are planning to build a new monastery on a striking site in Wyoming to be known as the New Mount Carmel of America.
Their architect, James McCrery, has been working furiously to prepare initial drawings for their building complex (a once-in-a-lifetime dream commission), which has now been brought to the end of schematic design. (Schematic design means that it is only the initial, approved conception of the building. It will then go through design development to receive its final details. For that reason, many of the images shown are not highly detailed or use what are called “place holders” meant to give a general idea. In other words, if you are an architectural nit picker like I am, hold your nits for a few months.)
The Carmelites asked for a decidedly French Gothic design centered around a large chapel. Small hermitages are located to the east of the chapel since the monks live much of their day as hermits. The plan also provides for other needs: refectory, chapter house, infirmary, novitiate, offices, etc.
Here are more images sent by our friend Mr. McCrery. Enjoy! (click to enlarge).
August 21, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous and fitting.
August 21, 2010 at 9:21 pm
It's exciting to hear of this community's growth and what they are about to do. It's also wonderful to hear about all of the vocation inquiries. However, as we should all know, when it comes to religious life, many are called but few are chosen.
August 22, 2010 at 1:54 am
To Blackrep, Early Riser, Dave, and others,
You've all made valid points, and with Christian charity!
What is it they say about the test of time?
I have reread the article and made mental note of the word "schematic". In my own words I take this to mean 'a pipe dream' or 'if we had all the funding we would need to build whatever we would like…'. It is good to have an idea in place, a point from which to start. This schematic is their starting point.
I think there are some excellent examples of newly built (or soon to be built) structures that draw on the past, while also making it just a little contemporary. They are the recently completed chapel at Thomas Aquinas College in California. And the finalized plans (and current fund raising drive) of the Norbertine Canons, of St. Michael's, for a new Abbey, church, and school, also in California. (now these are guys who have stood the test of time, have grown by leaps and bounds, and are solid and orthodox!).
I wish these Carmelites every blessing in all their endeavors. We should always support, prayerfully and financially, our religious -but not blindly (SSJs a case in point). The Carmelites have shown good business sense in their coffee products, and the endeavor seems to be pulling in a profit -this should encourage us to invest in them financially, but prudently. They have a fine beginning.
August 22, 2010 at 4:34 am
Roderick – that was a really great post. I actually chuckled from your schematic = pipe-dream commentary. As someone who has worked in software for 10+ years I can say you really aren't far from the truth : )
And yes, I think it's a nice goal for them to work for. And thanks for mentioning the Norbertines. I'd never heard of them before, but will look them up next time I'm in Southern California.
August 22, 2010 at 5:07 am
Just a note: schematic design does not equal pipe dream. It is the standard procedure for any architectural design project. It's phase one of the design process. It would be the same terminology for anything an architect designs, be it a store or house or school. The monks are serious about starting construction soon.
August 22, 2010 at 8:39 am
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August 22, 2010 at 9:12 am
Gosh, now even Carmelite Friars can be called "monks". Monachus: one, single, alone. how's about we get those designations correct? These are friars…not monks. Yes, it's that important.
August 22, 2010 at 9:28 am
Early Riser, Do visit the Norbertines the next time you are in Southern California -the liturgy (Office and Mass) is beautiful.
I just took a look at their website and was sad to read that Fr. Szanto had died last month. I had not seen him in about 20 years. He was one of the original 7 founders from Hungary, and he had been a dear friend. Even without seeing him for so many years, this news still hurts.
R.I.P.
Fr. Hubert S. Szanto
1915-2010
Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord,
And let perpetual Light shine upon him,
May he rest in peace.
A friend,
RAA
August 22, 2010 at 10:01 am
Martin, I reread my earlier post (8:54) and I am sorry; I did not mean to sound so flippant. The schematic is the first part of the standard procedures in any architectural design project; The rendition of an idea, capturing it and translating it to paper.
And I have no doubt as to the earnest desire of the Carmelites to move forward through the next phases in the design process, and then, finally, on to construction as soon as possible.
I have followed this foundation with interest since I first heard of them a couple of years ago. I, again, wish them every blessing in all their endeavors.
August 22, 2010 at 9:11 pm
The schematic drawings of the planed monastery building complex look really interesting. The idea seems to be truly daring considering that there is only 20 monks trying to raise many for such a big project. Who knows, sometimes dreams come true.
August 23, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Seems to me that if people live the monastic life, they should be called monks (or nuns). These people, from what I've read, seem to qualify. And no, they are not anchorites (hermits), living alone, but cenobites, living in community in the tradition of Pachomius, Basil and Benedict. So they are monks and should be identified by their lifestyle, not their name.
August 23, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Monk – monastic
Friar – mendicant
Wyoming Carmeilte Monks – Monastic, not mendicant, monks, not friars
August 24, 2010 at 1:06 am
Being a former Disclaced Carmelite nun and now Carmelite hermit nun. It is true that Father Daniel is reproducing a male version of the cloistered Teresian Carmelite nuns which would make them monks given their strict enclosure.
How ever St Teresa explicitly said to her nuns is that if they ever were to build grandiose houses, she prayed it would fall on them and kill them all! LOL.
This schematic looks like a Carthusian Charterhouse from Europe and is not at all typical of Carmelite monasteries which tend to be much more simple.
I hope Father Daniel has the wisdom to heed Our Holy Mothers words.
August 24, 2010 at 7:48 am
We have a wonderful group of Franciscan Friars (ha! I didn't have to use "monks';) who have been established in our Diocese for about 15 years now. They started their community here in a rental house (which has an estimated 3 bedrooms in it?) and then, through much prayer, they were donated land. They built their chapel and their living quarters through CT potatoes…Rocks dug right from the property. It's beautiful, and many of the local families were involved in volunteer work through the process. I just think that if God wants a Castle to dwell, He will give whatever means necessary to get Her done! It's akin to the Sidney Poitier film "Lillies of the Field"…"Build me a chapel!" from the German Mother Superior (I highly recommend it for those who might enjoy a light movie:)
August 25, 2010 at 6:05 am
Mother Teresa had it right – never live above the standards of the people you are serving. If you live among the poor, you are to live in a similar dwelling. Who else in Wyoming lives in a castle? Kinda reminds me of the lavish trappings in Hanceville, built around the cult of Mother A. Thankfully, the monks do not have a superior with such a public profile. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. And then, sadly, like the Society of St. John, many are scandalized. Someone in an earlier post made a valid point – Carmelites are not mendicants. However, they should still avoid the outward appearance of wanting for nothing. "True Poverty isn't poverty unless you feel it…"