Rocky Mountain Carmelites

Monastery with Mt. Olympus in the background
Monastery with Mt. Olympus in the background

There is a nice write-up in a local Catholic newspaper on the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the article, they talk to Mother Margaret Marie Miller who in October was named the new Mother Superior. Mother was one of the five founders who came from Alhambra, California, in 1952 to found a Carmelite monastery in the then-sparsely populated Catholic diocese.

“To be a Carmelite is a real vocation,” said Mother Margaret Marie. “The Lord gives it [the vocation] to you, but you have to be open and you have to be open to whatever he wants from you.”

Mother was inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux and like her wanted to save souls. She considered becoming a missionary but concluded, like St. Therese, that in the cloister she could reach everybody. “That was the thing that struck me. I didn’t even know what the life was going to be like, I just knew that I was going to pray for the whole world. You pray for the whole mystical body and that is what sounded really great.”

ocd utahI am reminded of a priest whose father wanted him to become a doctor. He said, “Dad, as a doctor, my patients are going to die. As a priest, I can lead them to eternal life.” Carmelites are praying people unto eternal life.

She has some practical advice on prayer. “Prayer is very simple; it’s not complicated. Prayer is a loving exchange with someone that loves you. God is all-powerful; His will is Him, so it’s pretty simple: Open your mind and He is with you all the time. It doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s simple.”

You can support the eleven Carmelites in Utah by purchasing their candy and holy cards and the like. You can also get a first-hand glimpse into their lives by watching their very appealing YouTube video.

4 thoughts on “Rocky Mountain Carmelites”

    1. My grandson Julien had a rough 2 years with his father. He is now back where God placed him at birth and will be doing his first communion on 5/14/16. Please keep him in your prayers for me as
      we are being mystified by the paternal side who despised our faith.
      I am a staunch catholic and my faith is beyond question. Thank you

  1. ADVENT,CHRISTMAS 2014,2015..

    Wish the Entire Community a Bless and Peaceful Advent,Christmas and New Year!

    Updated Prayer Request.

    Slow Recovery from the Death of Our Only Son and Other(Severe Financial Misery,Health Issues and Other Losses and Deaths….)Ongoing Sorrows…

    Dec.19-25,2014.

    Dear Sisters & Community of Prayer,

    Thank you for praying with us daily in our long struggle to God’s Peace and Eternal Rest! Thank you for your patience in our pain and sorrows!

    AGAIN,THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!

    Please continue to pray(Nov,Dec..Advent,Christmas 2014,2015..or as long as possible?)with us daily for God’s Healing and Protecting Peace in our Broken Hearts and Lives!Please pray for God’s Protection because of our broken hearts and financial hardship which makes us more vulnerable to predators!

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    Can you pass Urgent Prayer Request on:Nuns,Sisters,Priests,Friars,Monks,Communities of Prayer,Prayer Groups,Prayer Chains and Others you know of in the Worldwide Community of Prayer?

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