MUNSTER – A festive gathering of faith and fellowship added another page to the album of the Carmelite Fathers memories that span 75 years of service among the greater Catholic family of Northwest Indiana.
Hundreds of guests greeted Polish-native clergymen representing the seven current monastery residents and alumni of the local ministry. Before and after the vigil Mass and in the banquet hall on July 19, friends of the friars expressed “gratulacje,” or congratulations, on the anniversary and thankfulness for the friendship and sacramental assistance offered by the discalced Carmelites.
“I think of the dedication, the catechesis that they’ve been doing for people in Northwest Indiana and people coming from Chicago,” said Maryanne Topor, a longtime Munster resident. “They are very devoted. Thank God for them.”
At the picturesque monastery grounds built as a permanent home for World War II era immigrant Polish clergy at the corner of Ridge Road and White Oak, faithful were invited into the church under the patronage of Our Lady of Ludźmierz, Queen of Poland.
During his homily, presider Bishop Robert J. McClory struck a loving and reflective tone, invoking the memory of his late mother Ann McClory, who passed away in 2016. He was enamored of the prominent place in Polish culture for Marian devotion and spirit of motherhood.
“What a beautiful celebration we have today: 75 years of the great blessing of the Carmelite brothers and priests here,” said Bishop McClory. “They have dedicated themselves, right here in Munster, Indiana, in the ministry of honoring Our Lady, being devoted to a life of prayer and welcoming others in the spirit of service to encounter her maternal care and her Son Jesus, most especially through the gifts of the sacraments and maintaining the tremendous and beautiful gift of Polonia throughout the world, particularly here in this part of the Midwest.”
The bishop asked for applause for the Carmelites, saying that their diamond anniversary showed them as “a shining light honoring Jesus through His mother.”
Before the Mass where English, Latin, Polish and Spanish were spoken, monastery prior Father Andrzej Gbur, O.C.D., repeated in English his thankfulness for the presence of the bishop and believers. He thanked God in a distinctly Marian manner, quoting the Canticle of Mary (Luke 1:46-55).
“Today, together with Mary our mother, as we have gathered in prayer for many years and have heard these words ... we would like to thank God for 75 years of his faithfulness and mercy,” said Father Gbur.
Marian devotion was also a theme of a letter penned by Father Míċeál O’Neill, prior general of the Carmelites, in early July from Rome. He wrote in anticipation of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) and focused on the hope of the Jubilee Year 2025.
“Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God. Mary is the handmaid of the Lord, ever obedient to His Word. Jesus, hanging on the Cross is the promise of resurrection, the victory over all that could hold us back. Mary stood and understood and without knowing what was happening, remained in hope and did not turn away as she saw her Son dying of crucifixion,” the Carmelite leader wrote.
Carmelites, a mendicant (living on alms) Order of Pontifical Right for Men, claim the Prophet Elijah as their spiritual father. This harkens to a medieval monastery located near the Old Testament figure’s ministry base in Israel. Officially known as the Order of the Discalced Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, they are guided by Our Lady’s promises about the Brown Scapular.
After Mass, the Carmelite clergy, Lay Carmelites and scores of guests walked from the church, past the Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue and to the banquet hall. Hours of rainfall that preceded the anniversary gathering necessitated its move from the picnic grounds under a canopy of trees to the spacious facility.
Father Bronislaw Socha, O.C.D., a previous prior and 31-year resident of the Munster monastery, reflected on his active ministry in the U.S. Though far from his natural family in Poland, he feels grafted onto his brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the Region.
“I've been rooted already, for 31 years,” Father Socha said, noting an initial challenge in learning English. “And I try to serve the people, to be disposed of anytime. I know (people are often) looking for priests ... I try to be there.
He also lauded the monastery’s industrious founders. “They were people who were very dedicated to God, when you see the grottos and the church – all these they constructed. It is a great enterprise.”
Representing cultures to which the Carmelites minister, Polish School of St. Raphael Kalinowski students performed traditional dance numbers and Hispanic parishioners from South Suburban Archdiocese of Chicago churches entertained with musical interludes. Guests dined on Polish menu items such as Polska kielbasa and enjoyed sundry pastries.
Second-year seminarian Roy Graff served at the altar and then joined the festivities in the banquet hall. He said his discernment activities have allowed him to absorb unique cultural experiences.
“I find it really interesting,” said Graff. “Even just being a regular Catholic, going to church your whole life, you really never see anything like this. Serving with the bishop, (I observe that) one really has to be the bishop for everyone.”
From Oak Lawn, Ill., the Niceforo family was inspired to visit the Carmelite Monastery for the first time. Steven and Debra appreciated the “dedication of faith,” and the Polish culture as “something to be a part of, something to celebrate.”
Their son Dominic, a recent graduate of Valparaiso University, has been keenly interested in all things Catholic since his rediscovery of faith and reception of his sacraments of initiation last year.
“Definitely from this experience, I’m very much just a visual observer and coming here is deepening my Catholic faith,” Dominic Niceforo said. “(I’m appreciative) being present with the bishop here, especially to learn more about what the jubilee year means, and learning about our Lord and the Blessed Mother.”
Caption: Presider Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) applauds the service of Discalced Carmelite Fathers (at left) during Mass on July 19 at a gathering for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Carmelite Monastery in Munster. During the World War II era, Polish-native members of the mendicant order of friars arrived in Northwest Indiana to first minister to other Poles, then expanded their sacramental and educational ministry from a beautiful campus at Ridge Road and White Oak Avenue. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
