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Cloistered life, News, Women's Communities

Iron Mountain Carmelites Celebrate 75th Anniversary

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The Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Cross
Celebrates 75 Years in the Heart of the Church

The “Holy Cross” has always been more than a mere title for the Monastery of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Together with the accompanying presence of Mary, it has in many ways shaped the life and history of the monastery’s seventy-five years of existence in the Diocese of Marquette.

The roots of this Carmel can be traced back to the twelfth foundation made by Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus in Caravaca, Spain, leading up to the Queretaro Carmel in Mexico. It was this community which in 1916, due to the persecution of the Church there, eventually found a warm welcome in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vocations flourished and soon they began making several foundations of which the monastery in Iron Mountain was the seventh.

After a difficult eighteen-month search for a suitable site for the proposed foundation, Most Rev. Thomas L. Noa was able to report his success to the Carmel of Grand Rapids on November 1, 1950. It was the very day on which the dogma of the Assumption was formally defined in Rome. Shortly after this, on November 21, the Feast of the Presentation of Mary, the first group of nuns went to Iron Mountain to oversee the renovations which would be necessary to transform the small Horton Hotel on East B Street into a cloistered monastery.

Under the paternal eye of Msgr. A.C. Pelissier, the beloved “Cardinal Protector” of the community, the remodeling was completed in four months. This made it possible for the monastery to be canonically erected on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951, with the Solemn Mass of Dedication and establishment of Enclosure on April 11, Solemnity of St. Joseph.

Despite additions made to the house on “B” Street, the blessing of many vocations made it necessary to plan for the building of a new Monastery. With the help of Saint Joseph, Carmel’s special protector and provider, and the generous support of so many good people, the new monastery, built in the form of a Cross, became a reality. The dedication was held on July 16, 1966, Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

This year, March 25, 2026, the Monastery of the Holy Cross reached the milestone of its 75th Jubilee. Today seventeen nuns, including four Sisters in formation, gratefully and joyfully continue their daily efforts to live the charism of Carmel handed on to them. Praised be Jesus Christ!

A Life of Love, Prayer and Sacrifice

The Carmel of the Holy Cross is located in the vast wooded territory known as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Here lives a community of seventeen Discalced Carmelite nuns ranging in age from 27 to 101. Our Lord called these women together from many different backgrounds and from varied States as California, New Jersey, Texas and as near as Michigan and Wisconsin.

The Carmelite life is a balance between the eremitical spirit and a life in community. Silence and solitude are sought as pre-eminent means for fostering a life of prayer. Observing papal enclosure and wearing the traditional habit of the Order, they follow the life given them by their Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus. Their goal is union with God – “to love Jesus and to win souls for Him so that He may be loved,” as St. Therese of Lisieux put it. The Carmelites use the same means Jesus Himself used in His hidden life at Nazareth and in His death on the Cross: prayer and sacrifice. They strive to give their all for the Church, particularly for priests and seminarians.

The monastery bell summons the nuns to various community exercises: daily Mass, the Hours of Divine Office, and mental prayer, the characteristic “work” of this Order of prayer. Devotion to Our Lady permeates the life of Carmel, for “Carmel is All Mary’s.” This devotion is expressed by some cherished traditions such as the daily Rosary and Litany of Our Lady, the Salve Regina solemnly chanted every Saturday evening, and the appointment of one sister each week to be “chaplainess of the Blessed Virgin Mary” —honoring Our Lady as each one feels inspired.

Even during work the Carmelites strive to observe silence. Besides ordinary tasks such as cooking, sewing habits, laundry and cleaning, the nuns bake and cut altar breads. The sisters also make articles to be sold in their gift shop at the entrance to the monastery. These include rosaries, scapulars, crocheted items, note cards and others. Within the spacious grounds of the enclosure are two large vegetable gardens cultivated by the sisters.

Saint Teresa incorporated two hours of recreation into the Carmelite’s day to provide healthful relaxation at which time the silence is dispensed. Ordinarily, the sisters bring handwork, but on occasion they go out to the garden or do some other outdoor activity. Sometimes they simply walk together on the grounds visiting one of the shrines, including their own cemetery surrounded by beautiful woods and fields. Tradition calls for a “play” on certain occasions which often includes a good bit of comedy. Thus, the Carmelite nuns live a life of love, prayer and sacrifice in simplicity and joy and, as Saint Teresa wrote centuries ago, “each one feels herself unworthy to have deserved to come to such a place…the Lord has so multiplied their satisfaction that they clearly understand the Lord has given them a hundredfold for the one they left; and they are never tired of thanking His Majesty.”

https://holycrosscarmel.com
vocation@holycrosscarmel.com

Cloistered life, News, Women's Communities

Consecration and Dedication of Cistercian Nuns Oratory

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“Now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever; My eyes and My Heart also shall be there always.”   Chronicles 7:16

In March of 2024, the Cistercian nuns of Valley of Our Lady Monastery, twenty-one in all, moved into a newly-built monastery in Hollandale, Wisconsin, about one hour south of their old location.  The new monastery is situated in a place of greater solitude and space, enabling the sisters to better live out their particular charism in the Church—that of cloistered monastic life according to the Rule of St Benedict.  The final phase of building was completed some months after moving in, and August 24th, 2025, witnessed the final crowning of the project: the consecration and dedication of the monastery’s Oratory.  The rite was performed by Bishop Donald Hying, with several others concelebrating.  The guest nave of the oratory was full to overflowing with friends new and old of the community.

The Rite of Dedication of a Church is one of the Church’s most solemn liturgical acts and follows an ancient custom. It is the means of consecrating a church exclusively to God, making it a fitting place of prayer, praise, the celebration of the sacraments, and the reservation of the Eucharist. The church building is a visible sign of the Church, that is, the People of God who are the Temple of God made of living stones, a spiritual house built upon Christ, the cornerstone (see 1 Peter 2:4-6). Central to this rite is the consecration of the altar, which stands as a sign of Christ, who is the priest, the victim, and the altar of His own sacrifice.

A dedication is particularly significant for a monastic community, as the Oratory forms the heart of the monastery where they gather seven times a day to pray the Divine Office, daily to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass, and throughout the day to seek Our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence. The rite also recalls each nun’s consecration to God when she became a bride of Christ, enfleshing the bridal identity of the entire Church, a living temple of God’s presence in the world.  It also a place of vigil, waiting for the complete fulfillment of all our hope, trusting that He who began the work of building this place will fulfill it further in the New Jerusalem.

This is the culmination of years of listening to the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and trusting Him to bring His work to completion. Our Lord has multiplied His mercies allowing so many to participate in His plan to be praised, adored, and glorified in this place. Please join your prayers to theirs as they give praise and thanks to God.

valleyofourlady.org

For information about their building project: build.valleyofourlady.org/contact

Valley of Our Lady Monastery
7320 Urness Road
Hollandale, WI 53544

News, Women's Communities

Triennial Federal Assembly of the Poor Clare Federation of Mary Immaculate

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Los Altos Cloister Garden

The triennial federal assembly of the Poor Clare Federation of Mary Immaculate in the United States of America was held October 8 – 15, 2025, at the beautiful Monastery of the Poor Clares in Los Altos Hills, California. Each of the twelve member monasteries (Alexandria, VA: Barhamsville, VA; Belleville, IL; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Kokomo, IN; Los Altos Hills, CA; Rockford, IL; Roswell, NM; St. Louis, MO; Santa Barbara, CA; Sauk Rapids, MN) was represented by its abbess and a delegate elected by that community’s solemnly professed nuns.It was like a foretaste of heaven to greet sisters from all over the country and to experience a joyous unity of spirit throughout the assembly.

Sr. Immaculata (Roswell) & Mother Dolores (Cleveland)

Mother Mary Angela, P.C.C., of Roswell, federal president since 2023, presided over the chapter, and was re-elected to serve a second term. Assisting her will be: Mother Mary Giovanna (Belleville, IL) as first federal councilor; Sister Miriam (Kokomo, IN) as second federal councilor; and Mother Marie Colette (Los Altos Hills, CA), as third federal councilor. This was the first assembly in which three councilors were elected, a change made to accord with the directives in Cor Orans.

The sessions of this assembly focused mainly on the revision of our federation’s Constitutions, and this blessed work will continue as the new triennium unfolds. The presence of Father Larry Webber, O.F.M. Cap., our religious assistant, enriched our discussions greatly, as he added his own perspective and vast experience to each session’s subject of focus.

One very special joy of the federation assembly is the sharing which occurs one-on-one among the capitulars before, after and in between sessions, and in every other possible free moment that can be found! These sharings, often taking place outdoor in the beauty of the monastery garden, deepen our sisterly unity in our shared ideal, and enrich us with a greater knowledge of each federated community.

Rainbow

During an afternoon session on the day of the federation elections, one of the delegates politely interrupted the discussion in process to exclaim with true Franciscan joy and simplicity, “Pardon me, but if you look out that window, you’ll see that there’s a rainbow!” And again, in true Franciscan style, the capitulars immediately jumped up to see the glorious reminder of God’s undying love and everlasting covenant, wrought in the sky by the Divine Artist himself. It was an unforgettably beautiful sign of hope in this assembly specifically themed after the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Another hallmark of this assembly was the 150th anniversary on Sunday, October 12, of Mother Mary Maddalena Bentivoglio’s arrival in the United States. Our sisters from Sauk Rapids and Saint Louis brought relics and memorabilia from Mother Maddalena, presenting an outline of the history of our Order from its beginnings in Assisi to the present day. Among the relics on display was Mother Maddalena’s own tunic, carefully kept these many years by our Sauk Rapids community. The St. Louis delegation regaled us during one of our recreation hours with the story of how, on their train trip from Missouri to California, they had carried the large bulletin board bearing photographs which told the pictorial story of the history of our Order – along with their regular luggage, and a big box of homemade bread for the capitulars! All agreed it was a story worthy of the Fioretti and should be written up in full for posterity, and they themselves felt they had been granted a share in Mother Maddalena’s own difficulties encountered along her pilgrim way as she ventured across the ocean to bring Poor Clare life to the United States.

St. Alphonsus Ligouri

In her closing address on the final day of the assembly, Mother Angela quoted a circular letter written by St. Alphonsus Liguori to his novices: “It is only by lifelong sacrifice on the part of all concerned that a religious order can be founded, and it is only by the self-same sacrifice that its fervor can be maintained. The members of a religious family at any given moment have in their hands the making or the marring of their institute. The fact that it has a great name, was founded by a saint, or produced saints in the past, will not save it or them if their lives are tepid. If every novice, even, would remember that the honor of his order is committed to his charge, individuals and institutes would not fall into relaxation as they do.”

She exhorted the capitulars to go forth from this Assembly in an attitude of gratitude and wonder, which are prerequisites for a life of contemplation. Echoing Our Lady of Guadalupe’s words to St. Juan Diego, she encouraged each one to “Go now, and do your part.” As we go forward in our joyful observance of the Gospel as pilgrims of hope, each Poor Clare in our Federation of Mary Immaculate desires to hold high the light of hope for our world, so in need of the radiant light which Francis and Clare have bequeathed to their spiritual daughters.

For more information: cloisteredcontemplativepoorclares.org

Cloistered life, News, Women's Communities

Mother Foundress of the Alexandria Carmel Passes Away

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On October 9, 2025, Mother Marie Therese of the Child Jesus, OCD, died at her monastery in Alexandria, South Dakota.  Born Theodora Elizabeth Cycyk in Tonawanda, NY, in 1946, to Ukranian immigrants, she was fascinated by nuns but never saw herself as one of them.  That is, until the day when she randomly opened The Guide to Catholic Sisterhoods in the United States, and happened upon the Discalced Carmelite communities, featuring a picture of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. So taken was she by this picture that she was happy to discover that there was a Carmelite monastery in nearby Buffalo! She entered Carmel on November 9, 1965.  This year she just missed celebrating her 60th Jubilee.

Mother Veronica had a name picked out for her on her clothing day but when she saw Theodora dressed up in her wedding dress, her hair in a bun atop her head looking like St. Therese, she changed her mind and gave her the name, Sr. Marie Therese of the Child Jesus.

Mother Marie Therese became Novice Mistress and then Prioress.  In 1996, she agreed to a request by Bishop Robert Carlson to make a new foundation in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  They revamped a property offered by Fr. Robert Fox (the Fatima Priest) located across from the Fatima Family Shrine, the first monastery of contemplative nuns in South Dakota. “Here I will leave her bones!” she said.

On the day of her death, the sisters were alerted to her condition and finished their daily rosary at her bedside.  A priest administered the Apostolic Pardon just before she died. Her funeral took place on October 13th, the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima.

From her sisters:  Please join us now as we earnestly pray that if Mother Marie Therese is not there already, Our Lord will soon welcome her into His loving embrace in an “Eternal Face to Face” (St. Therese). Know that we (and she) are most grateful for your prayers, and that Mother will be most anxious to recommend you, your loved ones, and your concerns to Jesus.

Monastery of Our Mother of Mercy & St. Joseph
PO Box 67
Alexandria, SD 57311

You can go to their website to support their building campaign to build a new chapel dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus!

HolyFaceChapel.org

News

Emotional Holiness: Discovering the Divine Plan for Your Human Emotions by Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB

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IRL Board Member, Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB, has written the very timely and timeless book entitled Emotional Holiness: Discovering the Divine Plan for Your Human Emotions, available from Our Sunday Visitor. To become a better Christian, you need to form your emotions aright. The traditional Catholic view—supported by giants in the Catholic tradition such as Saint Augustine, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and St. Thomas Aquinas—is that ongoing conversion does not mean suppressing, ignoring, or eradicating the emotions, but reforming them.

In Emotional Holiness, Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB, shows how the emotions are to be shaped and trained so that they work with your pursuit of all that is good and avoidance of what is evil. Getting the emotions to work with the mind’s pursuit of God and the things of God is especially important to help you persevere in your God-given vocation.  (OrderOSV.com)

Abbot Austin Murphy was the Abbot of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois, from 2010 to 2024.  He earned a PhD in theology at the University of Notre Dame, focusing on the thought of St. Augustine.

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Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Jacksonville to Relocate to Connecticut

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From the nuns’ website:  www.carmeljax.org

J. M. † J. T.

MONASTERY OF THE LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS
Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Jacksonville
8002 James Island Trl
Jacksonville, FL 32256

July 26, 2025

Pax Christi! To all our dear friends in Christ, Praised be Jesus Christ! Many of you have been asking for an update regarding our search for a permanent location, and after months of prayer and discernment, we are now able to share some exciting news.

As we were about to begin fundraising to purchase property and commence building a new monastery in northeast Florida, we were made aware of several Church properties in other dioceses that were available and being offered to us, which would promptly enable us to resume our strictly cloistered life. Our living quarters for the past eighteen months have proven inadequate for daily monastic observance, and unfortunately there are no vacant Church properties available in this area. Moving to a larger and more suitable home had become imperative for a variety of reasons, so we took the matter to fervent prayer. The thought of being able to live our structured contemplative life again sooner rather than later was very appealing, and moving to a larger house would enable us to welcome new vocations.

Therefore, with the sympathetic blessing of our dear Bishop, the Most Rev. Erik Pohlmeier, we investigated these possibilities, and several Bishops who were very eager to have a cloistered Community in their diocese extended warm invitations. After prayerful discernment, we decided to accept Bishop Frank Caggiano’s generous offer and petition the Holy See for permission to relocate to the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut; that request has now been granted. We will reside at a diocesan retreat center in Danbury, Connecticut while a new monastery is built in a lovely rural area about half an hour away. May Our Lord and His sweet Mother reward Bishop Caggiano abundantly for his extremely gracious welcome! We are deeply grateful to all the wonderful friends we have made in Florida and will always keep them in our hearts and prayers! And we will now be much closer geographically to our dear friends in Buffalo, who have never ceased to have a fond remembrance in our prayerful intercession. Updates on our move and building project will be forthcoming! Be assured of our prayers, as we humbly ask your prayers for us. May God reward you!

Gratefully yours in Jesus, Mary and Joseph The Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of the Little Flower of Jesus

Following the announcement of relocation to Connecticut, the Sisters will be officially moving on September 9th, 2025. Their new address for the time being will be:
71 Southern Blvd
Danbury, CT 06810

​

News, Women's Communities

Little Missionaries of the Sacred Heart – New IRL Affiliate Community

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Welcome to a new  IRL Affiliate Community!

The congregation of the Little Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, based in Livorno, Italy, opened a new foundation in the diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, in 2012. Following the desire of their Foundress, Mother Clotilde Gigli (1872-1928), “to work with humility, so that the mercy of the Heart of Jesus may be known,” they are involved in the fields of education, health care, parish work and missionary evangelization.

There are currently four sisters serving in the community in Iowa who work at the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center as registered nurses and certified nurse assistants. “Their presence is cherished in our Diocese,” says Most Rev. William M. Joensen, Bishop of Des Moines, “and they are well respected as holy and dedicated women giving strong witness to Christ in the grace-filled living out of the evangelical counsels.” (LMSHsisters.com)

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Integral Fundraising Services LLC: Supporting the Church with Purpose, Partnership, and Stewardship

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A description of a  new fundraising organization whose mission is to support the Church.

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Integral Fundraising Services LLC:
Supporting the Church with Purpose, Partnership, and Stewardship

At Integral Fundraising Services LLC, we exist to strengthen the financial foundations of Catholic parishes, schools, and religious communities—so they can remain focused on their core mission of proclaiming the Gospel, forming disciples, and serving the Church.

Founded by Chris Scroggin, Integral Fundraising Services brings a deeply personal understanding of religious life. Before entering the world of Catholic development, Chris spent nearly 20 years living religious life himself. This background isn’t just a credential—it’s a compass. It informs every aspect of how we approach our work: with reverence for each community’s unique charism, with humility as partners in mission, and with a desire to see Catholic institutions not just survive—but flourish.

A Partner, Not a Vendor

Too many fundraising firms take a transactional approach—launching a capital campaign, checking the boxes, and walking away once the goal is met. That’s not how we operate. At Integral Fundraising Services, we believe the most effective development work is rooted in trust, mission alignment, and ongoing formation.

We walk alongside the communities we serve—not just through a campaign, but well beyond. We help religious congregations, parish leaders, and Catholic school administrators build sustainable fundraising systems, major gift strategies, and donor relationships that will bear fruit for years to come.

Campaigns with a Mission

From new chapels and infirmaries to school expansions and endowment growth, our campaigns are more than financial exercises—they’re expressions of faith. We guide our clients through every phase of a capital campaign: from feasibility studies and case statement development to volunteer training, leadership cultivation, and post-campaign stewardship.

But our focus doesn’t end at campaign success—it’s about long-term capacity building. We equip Catholic institutions with the tools, training, and frameworks they need to build lasting donor partnerships that align with their values and respect the sacred mission they’ve been entrusted with.

Donor-Centric and Charism-Faithful

In every project, we implement fundraising best practices that prioritize clarity, transparency, and gratitude. But just as important, we help our clients maintain fidelity to their founding charism and ecclesial identity. Whether working with contemplative nuns, teaching brothers, diocesan pastors, or school leadership, our strategies are never one-size-fits-all. Instead, we tailor our work to amplify your unique voice and mission—and the unique spiritual value you offer to the Church.

A Proven Track Record of Results

Integral Fundraising Services is helping Catholic organizations across the country raise millions in support of facilities, formation, vocations, and mission advancement. We’re honored to play a small role in the larger work of the Holy Spirit—helping faithful ministries thrive through strategic fundraising rooted in trust, prayer, and relationship.

If your community is ready to grow in its development work—not just for today’s needs, but for generations to come—we would be honored to walk that journey with you.

For a free consult email Chris Scroggin at chris.scroggin@integralfundraisingservices.com or call him at 737-240-9040.

Integral Fundraising Services LLC
Fundraising rooted in mission. Sustained by partnership. Focused on flourishing.

 

News, Women's Communities

New Video Reveals Mystery of the Seven Spanish Martyrs of the Visitation

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By Visitation Sisters of the Second Federation (and Kevin Banet)


One hundred years ago, anti-Catholic sentiment in Spain was high, and nearly 8,000 martyrs suffered for their faith. Among them were seven nuns of the Visitation Order from Madrid, now known as Blessed Maria Gabriela and her Companions.

A new video tells their story and reveals the mystery of the seventh martyr, who was the youngest and who died last. The Seventh Crown — Martyrs of the Visitation is only 35 minutes long but delivers a compelling portrait of the struggles of the nuns while their monastery was under the surveillance of the authorities.

Cross carried by Sr. Maria Cecilia

In 1931, Spain witnessed a political upheaval, and the uneasy climate led the superior of the Visitation in Madrid to order the 83 nuns there to wear lay clothes and leave the monastery. They eventually returned, only to leave again. Seven were chosen to remain, but eventually moved to an apartment. On November 18, 1936, the sisters were apprehended, put into a truck and driven a short distance. When they got out of the truck, six of them were shot dead, and the seventh — Sr. Maria Cecilia, age 26 — escaped by running away.

The movie is told in a flashback mode through the eyes of this sister, whose whereabouts after her escape remained a mystery for five years. Her tense story is revealed in the last scene with her martyrdom.

The sisters had many opportunities to flee, so the question might be asked, “Why did they not try to escape martyrdom?” The primary reason, as stated in the movie was, “We are awaiting the palm of martyrdom and if by shedding our blood Spain can be saved, Lord, may it be as soon as possible.”

The martyrs were beatified on May 10, 1998 by Pope St. John Paul II and await canonization.

The Order of the Visitation was founded by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in 1610 in Annecy, France. The aim of the Visitation is: “to give to God daughters of prayer, and souls so interior that they may be found worthy to serve His infinite Majesty and to adore Him in spirit and in truth.”

The acting in the movie is realistic and rich in imagery of the Visitation nuns and their monastic surroundings. It was produced by Home of the Mother, an international public association of the faithful with pontifical approval. It has been viewed on YouTube 54,200 times since its premiere on November 22nd. The movie, La Séptima Corona — Mártires de la Visitación is in Spanish, but English subtitles can be turned on.

SOURCES:

https://vistyr.org/blessed-sister-martyrs

Home of the Mother

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Diocese of Columbus Establishes the Ordo Vidarum – Order of Widows

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On October 16, 2024, Most Rev. Earl Fernandes issued a decree to establish the Ordo Viduarum, or the Order of Widows, as a community of diocesan right. It is open to widows over 60 who have been sacramentally married. The decree was published on October 16th, the feast of Saint Hedwig, a widow. In the Diocese of Columbus, six women whose husbands have passed away are discerning religious life in the Ordo Viduarum.

In 1 Timothy, it mentions the qualifications of for various ministries, including rules for widows, namely, that “she is not less than sixty years old, married only once, with a reputation for good works…” (1 Tim 5:9-10). The widows belonging to the order, through a vow of perpetual chastity,  remain permanently in their widowed state of life and dedicate themselves to prayer and the service of the Church. It is only open to women who live in the diocese.

In the Decree it states: “…there are yet does not exist in the Universal Law for the Catholic Church an order of Widows, and diocesan Bishops are to endeavor to discern new gifts of consecrated life which the Holy Spirit entrusts to the Church” (cf. Canon 605).  (ColumbusCatholic.org)