Michael J Valaik

Carmel of the Little Flower of Jesus Michael J Valaik

Carmel of Buffalo's story reveals a beautiful pattern-from the world into the cloister as a woman seeks her vocation, and then back from the cloister out into the world through the Sisters' prayer and sacrifice. The second part (from the monastery back to the world) remains mysterious to most of us, in part because we fail to understand the Carmelite's vocation and hear the Sisters' prayers. Without ever breaking silence, the Carmelites prayerfully "shout out" to reach us and hope we feel their love. If we could start to see the connection between the monastery and us, we too might draw closer to God and begin to see things through a new lens of love. This book celebrates the Carmel of Buffalo-its foundation, its struggles, the unwavering faith, but most of all the Sisters' love. Part One is titled "The Beautiful Garden," and it recounts the history of Carmel's formation in Buffalo, its founders, and the early years. Part Two is titled "The Interior Garden," and it explores who is drawn to this Life of Prayer, its beauty, and stories of some of the Carmelites that have called Buffalo home. Part Three is "The Fruits of the Garden," which explains how we might share in the good that flows from the Carmel of Buffalo.