James McCrery, the architect, offers this statement:
The vision for the New Carmel is for an authentically Catholic, Carmelite Monastery that embraces the French tradition of gothic architecture. This is the architecture that the Catholic Church truly owns! It developed in the 13th century in response to the strong growth of monastic life at that time. 800 years later, in this 21st century of Our Lord, these Holy Monks live a rich monastic life that is a vital indication of the strong growth of young religious vocations in the Church today. The Monks are bursting at the seams in their current location – a dwelling that limits their ability to properly live the Carmelite Rule and Constitution. It is a profound honor to labor on their behalf as they labor on behalf of the entire Church.
Some of the important design considerations for the monastery are:
- The New Carmel of America Monastery design will take its form and order from the very central event in the Church: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass;
- All of the monastic buildings will be arrayed with respect to the High Altar and to the Main Chapel;
- Visitors to the New Carmel will be richly rewarded with glimpses of the prayerful labors of the Carmelite Monks chanting in the choir of the Magnificent Chapel;
- The Chapel will be arranged so as to be filled with the sung prayers, the sung Liturgy of the Hours, and the Sung Masses. Imagine the sounds of chanting Monks’ prayers lifted to Heaven in this new Chapel!
For further information see the New Mount Carmel Foundation website.
