The land that became the original St. Albert's Jr.

This is the third volume of the history of the New York Province of St. Elias, a work begun in 1976.  Seven years later, despite the interruptions of apostolic work and the vagaries of travel as vocation director, the task I promised the provincial of that time, Charles Haggerty, is completed.

There was a strong bond between the New York Carmelites, the Irish People and Their Freedom movement.  We want to show the basis for the strong affection of the Irish for Carmelites.  This intent precludes dealing with aspects of the Irish Freedom Movement that did not take place in New York or did not involve the Carmelites.

This volume of the history of the New York Carmelite Province of Saint Elias covers the years 1906-26, beginning with the absence of Father Edward Southwell from the New York scene and ending with the accession of Father Dionysius L.

Rev. Edward Southwell, O.Carm.

Rev. Michael Daly, O.Carm.

Redemptus Valabek, O.Carm. - Early Years in Rome

The Irish Carmelites in the 19^th Century were not an idle lot.   Like many of their forbears, their vision stretched far across the waters that ringed their outpost island.  During troubled times, they had never ceased to serve the people.

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The left hand side of the shield reflect the Carmelite identity of the Province.  The eagle in the upper right hand portions indicates this is an American province while the fiery wheel indicates it is named after Elias who was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot.   The lower right hand portion indicates the Irish origin of the province.  Bri

The late 70’s early 80’s brought about many changes in the Carmelite Formation program in the United States.  Changes in society and the Church gradually brought about a decrease in the number of vocations in the St Elias province.

Despite the ruin that came to the Carmelite Order through  secularism and government controls of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it survived in Ireland even though, it had its local problem of English persecution.  Because of government restrictions affecting education, those desiring to join the Carmelite Order had to go abroad, usually to Spain or Italy, to complete their studies.