After a century in Buffalo, New York, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns have relocated to the Diocese of St. Augustine.  As the sisters noted in their farewell letter to their friends, their monastery used to be on the outskirts of Buffalo where they could live their contemplative life in silence and solitude.  This is no longer the case.

Here are some words from their newsletter describing their arrival in Florida:

Thanks to the hard work of many kind and generous friends who prepared for our arrival, our new monastery felt like home from the very first moment, already embellished with many of our beautiful statues and holy images. But it truly became “home” when Jesus Himself came to dwell among us in His Eucharistic Presence after the first Mass in our lovely little chapel. We were moved to tears and well understood the sentiments of Our Holy Mother St. Teresa, who considered that a new foundation was truly established when the Blessed Sacrament was permanently reserved in the tabernacle. The difference was palpable – our beloved King is now enthroned and dwells among us!

Before we were enclosed, on our first full day in Florida we had the incredible blessing to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, where our new Bishop, the Most Reverend Erik T. Pohlmeier, welcomed us warmly and offered Holy Mass for us. While there, we were able to tour the “Sacred Acre” where the first parish Mass was offered in what is now the United States on September 8, 1565. Our Lady’s maternal presence is so strongly felt on that site which has such historic significance for the Church in our country!

You can read more about their move here: https://www.carmeljax.org/news

Their monastery in Buffalo was founded by Mother Mary Elias of the Blessed Sacrament, OCD (1879-1943), who as she knelt before a Mexican firing squad (her crime was persevering in her Carmelite vocation), made a promise to St. Therese of Lisieux to found a monastery in her honor if she was spared.  The guns were fired, Mother and her companion fell to the ground, and when they regained consciousness, there was blood on their clothes but they were unharmed.  Mother kept her promise and the monastery of the Little Flower of Jesus was founded in Buffalo.

In their current temporary location they do not have a public chapel or gift shop for visitors.  They are praying to locate a suitable property and the funds which will allow them to build a permanent monastery which can house their growing community.

Vocation inquiries may be directed to:
 PO Box 1012
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004, USA
(904) 648-2663

Their physical address is:
8002 James Island Trail, Jacksonville, FL 32256