The Sisters are on their way!

It is with great joy that we can announce that the Sisters’ plane tickets have been booked and that they will be arriving in Sydney NSW in early March.

Currently, plans are afoot for various public events, which we hope will include Holy Mass in Sydney and in Forbes in the week or so after their arrival. The Sisters will then make their way to the new Monastery in Mathoura and it is anticipated that there will be an opening Holy Mass in mid-March.

The Sisters who are travelling to the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese to form the new Monastery come from a Carmelite order that can be traced back to a sixteenth century Spanish Carmelite Monastery founded by Saint Teresa of Jesus. Two daughter monasteries were established in Mexico. In 1927, the Community established a Carmel in California. Later, monasteries were founded in Nevada, then Nebraska, Pennsylvania and, most recently, in Idaho. The Most Reverend Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE DD, Bishop of Wilcania-Forbes, invited the Sisters to establish a Carmelite Monastery and to continue their tradition in his diocese.

The four Sisters are fully professed, experienced nuns who have lived the monastic Carmelite life for many years: Mother Mariam Joseph, Sister Frances Teresa, Sister Maria of the Incarnation and Sister Juana Teresa of Jesus. Two of these were born and raised in Australia, so they have a particular joy in returning to their homeland after many years absence.

Their first Monastery in the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese is a humble, quaint old cottage surrounded by trees on a few acres.   Kangaroos, emus, magpies and cockatoos will be on hand to remind the Sisters that they are now part of Australia!  Dust and shimmering heat will remind them to especially pray for those of the Diocese.

The primary mission of the Carmelite Order is to pray and offer oblation for the Church and the world. The Sisters live a life of poverty, entirely dependant on the generosity of others. With the formal opening of the new Monastery so close, now is a great time to set up a regularly weekly or monthly donation to assist with the Sisters’ ongoing upkeep. Details of how to make donations can be found here.

As always, please join with us in prayer for the new Foundation and, especially, that the sisters will enjoy a pleasant, uneventful journey to Australia.

Can you add a book to our library?! 📕📚📖

We’re looking for donations of specific books to our library so that the Sisters have access to these from their arrival. A list appears below of the texts that they will find helpful. They welcome multiple copies of many of these. Perhaps you might have one or two of these spare at your house? Perhaps you might see a copy for sale at a second hand store?

If you are able to help, please send the books to:
Carmelite Monastery of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
PO Box 150
Mathoura NSW 2710
AUSTRALIA

We encourage those who send a book to affix a note to the inside cover with their name and perhaps a small prayer intention, so that the Sisters may offer a specific prayer for the intentions of those who have donated each time they read the book.

An up-to-date copy of the list will be maintained on this page, and we’ll clearly mark any entries if we have already received sufficient copies.

We are so grateful for the generosity of all those who continue to contribute to our Monastery fund. If you have yet to make a donation, the details can be found on the donation page on our website. Any donation, large or small, can make a difference and regular weekly or monthly donations are also a great way to give ongoing support.

May God reward you for your generosity!

Our new Monastery

Earlier this week, settlement for the purchase of property proceeded without a hitch and the Sisters are now the happy owners of a five bedroom house on 20 acres, which will soon be the fledgling Carmelite Monastery.

The Sisters are grateful to all who have helped to achieve this important step and they continue to pray especially for you and for the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes.

Please note the new mailing address:
PO Box 150,
Mathoura NSW 2710

We look forward to announcing soon the Sisters’ plans for travel to Australia, likely early in the new year.

Novena for the Nativity of Our Lady

Please join with us in a novena to Our Lady in the lead up to her birthday on 8th September. The novena will start tomorrow on Friday 31 August. The prayers can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you missed it, you can read our recent update on the purchase of property for the Monastery by following this link.

The Catholic Weekly also recently shared a story about the property, which can be found by following this link.

We are so grateful for the generosity of all those who continue to contribute to our Monastery fund. If you have yet to make a donation, the details can be found on the donation page on our website. Any donation, large or small, can make a difference and regular weekly or monthly donations are also a great way to give ongoing support.

NOVENA FOR THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY

31 August to 8 September

Prayer to start the Novena each day:

V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

~ DAY ONE ~
Heavenly Child, lovable Mary, the Eternal Father delights in your birth, for He beholds in your coming into this world one of His creatures who is so perfect that she will become the worthy Mother of His divine Son.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the heavenly Father, the pardon of my sins, and an abiding sorrow for them.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY TWO ~
O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, admirable Mary, the Son of God delights in your birth, for He beholds the one chosen to be His Mother, and oh! such a beloved Mother.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining from your divine Son the grace to be born again spiritually to a holy life, perfectly conformed to yours, so that I may merit to obtain eternal glory.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

 (State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY THREE ~
O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, lovable Mary, the Eternal Word takes delight in your birth, for He sees the source of His Immaculate Blood.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the Word made Flesh, the grace to find in this Divine Blood the eternal happiness of my soul.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY FOUR ~
O Chosen One among the daughters of Adam, admirable Mary, the Redeemer, promised to mankind from the beginning of the world, takes delight in your birth, for He sees the one who is destined to become the Co-redemptress of souls by uniting her tears to the Blood shed on the Cross to save mankind.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

 (State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY FIVE ~
Resplendent Lily of Paradise, lovable Mary, the Holy Spirit takes delight in your birth for He sees in you the soul never stained by sin, which would forever be His worthy Temple.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from the Holy Spirit His divine love and final perseverance.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY SIX ~
Most Beautiful Branch of the tree of David, most admirable Mary, whose birth was such a consolation to St. Joachim and St. Anne who were delighted to be the parents of so holy a child, may your birth be the consolation of my soul, by obtaining for me from God, victory over the world and detachment from all the things of this earth.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer:
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY SEVEN ~
Resplendent Morning Star, lovable Mary, your birth was the cause of great joy to the angels, for they beheld in you the Mother of the Redeemer of the world, who by His Death would repair the loss sustained by the fall of rebellions angels in paradise.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, by obtaining for me from God, victory over the infernal enemy, deliverance from all his snares, and the grace to be associated in glory with the angels in heaven.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer:

Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:

Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY EIGHT ~
Brilliant Aurora of Heaven, lovable Mary, your birth brought great consolation to the souls of the saints detained in limbo, for it announced the approach of the Sun of Justice, Jesus Christ, who would enlighten their darkness and then conduct them to paradise.

May your birth give joy to my soul also, and obtain for me from God, patience in all adversities, a perfect and constant conformity to His most holy will.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ DAY NINE ~
Mediatrix between God and mankind, admirable Mary, by your birth you perfected the joy of all the children of Adam, who, through you, have received the Author of Grace, for He has made you the treasurer of all the graces which are imparted to us.

May your birth be a special cause of joy to my soul by obtaining for me from God, eternal salvation and all the graces necessary to obtain it.

Dearest Mother, please pray for me and for these my intentions…

(State your intentions)

Hail Mary…

Prayer
Your Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, was the herald of joy to the whole world; since from you arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who, destroying the curse, bestowed the blessing, and confounding death, rewarded us with life everlasting.

V. Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
R. That she may intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant to us your servants, we beseech you, O Lord, the gift of Your heavenly grace, that as our salvation was begun in the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin, so from this solemn festival of her Nativity may we obtain an increase of peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Nihil Obstat: Iacobus P. King, I.C.D. Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: Bryan Iosephus McEntegart, D.D., LL.D. Episcopus Bruklyniensis. “Novena for the Nativity of Our Lady”, The Cloister’s Selected Prayers, (Brooklyn, NY: Monastery of the Precious Blood, 1957) 79-84. Source: https://www.americaneedsfatima.org/Our-Blessed-Mother/novena-for-the-nativity-of-our-lady.html

Property for our new Monastery!

It is with great joy that we can share with you the wonderful news that we have exchanged contracts on the purchase of property for the new Monastery! We anticipate that settlement will occur in late November 2018, if not earlier.

The property is a suitable 20 acre block located at Mathoura, with a modest 5 bedroom home, adequate for the initial needs of the Sisters. Its purchase price of $330,000 is well below our original estimations of what we would have to outlay.

This is one of the final major steps before the Sisters’ arrival!

Over the coming months, we urge you to help us continue to raise the necessary funds to support the new Monastery:

1. By making a one-off donation to assist with the purchase of the property and the various start-up costs.
Thanks to the generosity of many, we have been able to proceed with the purchase of this property. However, we have a goal to provide the Sisters with the best start possible and to this end we are looking for your assistance to allow them to be debt-free from the outset.

In addition to the purchase of the property itself, there will be other costs such as the Sisters’ travel to Australia and modifications to the property, including upgrading the fences and ensuring adequate facilities for a Chapel.

Your one-off donation now can help with all of this and ensure that the Sisters are welcomed to Australia with a solid foundation!

2. By pledging your on-going support for the Sisters through regular weekly or monthly donations.
There will be various ongoing expenses that need to be covered, such as the Sisters’ day-to-day living expenses and maintenance of their property, some of which (such as rates) will commence even prior to their arrival in Australia. Most banks make it easy to set up regular electronic payments from your nominated bank account.

DONATE NOW!

Your on-going support will ensure that the Sisters will have a viable future with us!

Just as importantly, we also urge you to join with us in prayer for the success of our endeavours as we draw ever nearer to the day when, God willing, the Sisters will be able to make their home here in Australia.