The Carmelite Sisters elected their new prioress Aug. 9 at the Carmel of the Holy Trinity monastery, located at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe. Sister Agnella Lu was elected in the presence of Bishop Larry Silva; Discalced Carmelite Father Thomas Reeves, prior of Mount St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery in San Jose, California; and Father […]
Revitalized Carmelite convent celebrates 50th year in Hawaii
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Hawaii’s revitalized Carmelite convent celebrated its 50th year tucked in the Kailua-side slope of the Koolaus with a morning Mass Oct. 16 celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva and about 70 of the sisters’ families, friends and supporters. The congregants overflowed the Carmelites small public chapel, while in the chapel’s […]
Carmel of the Holy Trinity: 50 years of gratitude
Hawaii’s only contemplative monastery celebrates a half century in the Islands By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Special to the Herald “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” wrote the 6th century Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. Fifty years ago, on Oct. 25, 1973, seven Carmelite nuns took that single step leaving […]
Sister Agnella of the Child Jesus and the Holy Spirit Iu, OCD
A soul unfolding: 50 years a Carmelite Fifty years ago, on Oct. 1, 1973, Sister Agnella Iu made her first profession of vows as a Carmelite Sister in Hong Kong. Twenty-four days later she would be in Hawaii, the youngest of seven founding nuns of Hawaii’s first Carmelite monastery, Carmel of the Holy Trinity, at […]
Letter from the monastery
The Carmelites, Hawaii’s contemplative order, give us an update on their cloistered community, Carmel of the Holy Trinity, since its re-founding three years ago “Alas, death is now approaching. In darkness alone, I await its coming,” mused the lonely seed as it was buried. Yet, behold, how great is the rejoicing, When one day its […]
Secular Carmelites add three members
Hawaii’s Discalced Carmelite Secular group welcomed three new members Dec. 7 in a rite of admission ceremony in the Carmelite monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center. They are Mary Ann Gauyan, Yong Matthews and Janice Eala. The monastery, Carmel of the Holy Trinity, is where seven Discalced Carmelite nuns live in […]
A ‘springtime experience’
Five sisters from the Philippines enable the re-founding of Hawaii’s Carmelite monastery By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Five Carmelite sisters from the Philippines have given Hawaii’s Carmelite monastery a new life, saving it from closing. Hawaii’s Carmel of the Holy Trinity was re-founded Aug. 9 with the reception of the five new permanent members […]
With the arrival of 2 sisters from the Philippines, the house is full again
Once on the verge of closing, Hawaii’s only Carmelite monastery now has the numbers to be resurrected anew By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald The Philippines came through once again for the Catholic Church in Hawaii. The source for nearly half the priests in island parishes, the mostly Catholic Asian nation has […]
Fundraiser helps finance re-founding of Hawaii’s ‘hidden’ sisters
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Being cloistered, Hawaii’s Carmelite Sisters did not attend their own fundraising event this month. But they did prepare a mahalo video. Five sisters — one Chinese nun, one local novice, and three newcomers from the Philippines — together sang a song and individually expressed thanks to the nearly […]
‘This looks like Davao’
Three Carmelite sisters arrive at their new home, setting the groundwork for the re-founding of the Hawaii monastery By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald “Sister Dominica, could you please pick up the nuns on November 26th?” asked the sweet voice on the other side of the line. It was Sister Agnella Iu, […]