Dear All,
It has been with shock and sadness that the Carmelite nuns left Philadelphia and returned to Valparaiso Nebraska, leaving one nun remaining. The future of the monastery is in jeopardy and there is a real chance that there will not be a Carmel of nuns in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
We are offering a novena with the intention that “a Carmelite Monastery of nuns would be in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia”. The novena we are offering is the one where the ‘Glory be to the Father’ praising the Holy Trinity is said twenty-four times each of the nine days, in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favors given to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus during the twenty-four years of her life. It is a powerful novena that many have found fruitful.
We are suggesting that you also offer this novena and perhaps pass it on to others who want a Carmel in Philadelphia. It is not important if we start or finish on the same day or for people to pray the novena together–it is more important that the novena is offered. Start on the day you read this. In addition it would be even better to continue the novena prayers after the 9 days.
Please note the intention should be that “a Carmelite Monastery of nuns would be in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia”. The intention is that the existing monastery could be saved or even if it were to close, another would open in its place. The form of the invention allows for many possibilities. The key is that we pray that there is Carmelite monastery of nuns–whether it is a new foundation or the old one; should not matter.
Here is a link with more background on this Novena.
Novena of the Twenty-four Glory Bes to St. Teresa, the Little Flower
The Twenty-four ‘Glory be to the Father’s’ novena can be said at any time. However, the ninth to the seventeenth of the month is particularly recommended, for on those days the petitioner joins in prayer with all those making the novena.
The ‘Glory be to the Father’ praising the Holy Trinity is said twenty-four times each of the nine days, in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favors given to Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus during the twenty-four years of her life. In addition, this, or a similar prayer may be used:
‘Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, I thank Thee for all the blessings and favors Thou hast showered upon the soul of Thy servant Theresa of the Child Jesus, during the twenty-four years she spent here on earth, and in consideration of the merits of this Thy most beloved Saint, I beseech Thee to grant me this favor, if it is in accordance with Thy most Holy Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation. ‘
After this Prayer, follow the twenty-four ‘Glory Be’s, ‘ between each of which may be included this short prayer:
‘Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, pray for us. ‘
The Glory Be Prayer
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.