Carmelites unite in celebration
By Father Rudolf V. D’Souza, OCD
Special to The B.C. Catholic
Little Flower Monastery sprang into spring with the dedication of its chapel on the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada.
The weather was perfect on the first day of spring, March 19, for the visit of Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, who began by blessing holy water at the entrance to the chapel and sprinkling the faithful as he processed into the chapel.
In his homily during the Mass which followed, Archbishop Miller highlighted the importance of blessing and dedicating a chapel which has roots in the Old and the New Testament.
Prayers of dedication were recited and sung, and the Litany of the Saints was intoned. Oil was poured on the altar’s marble slab, an altar relic was blessed, and incense was burned.
Along with the Secular Carmelites there were 75 guests present for the celebration. Members of the Discalced Carmelites present included Father Alwyn Sequeira, the superior of the monastery; Brother Joseph Giroux, the bursar; and Fathers Steyn Mascarenhas, Rajesh Madtha, Jason Tellis, Richard Francis D’Souza, Jerald D’Souza, and Rudolf V. D’Souza.
All who had contributed to the monastery, the chapel, and the ceremony were acknowledged. Helen Tiampo received special recognition, and her parents Jaime and Josephine Chua Tiampo were specially remembered and gratefully acknowledged.
