On Friday, August 26th, Brother Jonathan Patrick Steele, O.Carm., professed the solemn vows of obedience, poverty and chastity in the Carmelite Order at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, New York.
The Mass was a joyful including celebration attended by about 160 people, including more than 20 Carmelite brothers from Washington, DC, some from our sister Province, The Most Pure Heart of Mary. Friars from our various New York houses attended, as did the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.


Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the St. Elias Province was the main celebrant and Homilist. Father Rolf (Nepi) Willemsen, Formation Director at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC concelebrated. The Most Reverend Gerardo Colacicco, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York attended in choir.

Sister M. Veronica Robert, O.Carm. a member of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Germantown, New York offered the First Reading (1 Kings 19:4-9a, 11-15a). Brother Jonathan’s sister, Melissa Steele, offered the Second Reading (Ephesians 1:3-14). Rev. Brother Von Erick Maria Sandoval, O.Carm., who served as Deacon at the Mass, read from the Gospel of Matthew (5:1-12a) – The Beatitudes. The music was beautiful and included the Offertory Hymn “Open My Eyes” and the Communion Hymn “O How Blessed” (The Beatitudes).
As the Mass was coming to its conclusion, the weather outside changed from sunshine to heavy rain, so that the usual outdoor photographs had to be taken inside the Shrine chapel. With so many Carmelite priests, brothers and Carmelite Sisters and family members it was quite a challenge to get everyone into the picture.

After the photographs were done, Brother Jonathan’s family, Carmelites, friends and many other guests proceeded downstairs to Pilgrim Hall where a celebratory luncheon was enjoyed by all.

May God bless Brother Jonathan! Please keep him in your prayers and say an extra prayer for more vocations to the Carmelite Order.
Updated by SEL Province