Carmelites Friars – North of American Province of St. Elias in allegiance to Jesus Christ
The Rite of the Holy Sepulcher, rooted in the worship of the Christian community in Jerusalem and used by various Knights and the faithful and commonly called the Carmelite Rite, is the liturgical rite in Latin that the Carmelite Order first began using in the mid-twelfth century. This Rite was regularly celebrated in Carmelite churches and convents throughout the North American Province of St. Elias until the entire Carmelite Order adopted the Roman Liturgy after Vatican II.
On Sunday, July 19, 2020, the Carmelite Rite was again used to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Chapel of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown New York. Father Lucian Beltzner, O. Carm., Prior of St. Joseph’s Priory, Troy, New York, was the celebrant of the Solemn High Mass on the Feast of the Prophet Elijah…the prophet, father and patron of the Carmelite Order.
The faithful who gathered in the Shrine for the Carmelite Rite Mass were active participants in a special and holy moment in time. Those who couldn’t be present were fortunate to share in the Mass live on-line.
