The Carmelite convent in Chachapoyas, the capital city of the Amazonas region of northwest Peru, was established in 2015 and is therefore celebrating its 10th anniversary. It is consecrated to the Infant Jesus of Prague and to Saint Joseph.
The devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague is characteristic of the Carmelite Order and is very much alive to this day among both the male and female branches of the Carmelites. The famous statue of the Child Jesus, clothed as a King, dates back to the 16th century and is believed to have been a gift from the Saint Teresa of Avila to the noble family of Manrique de Lara. In the year 1556, when a daughter of this family was married to a noble of Bohemia, she was given this statue as a wedding gift and took it with her to Prague (now the capital of the Czech Republic). In 1628 it was given by this lady‘s daughter to the Carmelite Fathers in Prague. According to tradition, she told them, „I am giving you the most precious thing I possess. Honour it, and I think all will go well with you.“ And indeed, very soon this little statue was hailed as miracle working, and to this day Catholic faithful from all over the world testify to favours received in time of need through the devotion to this image, notably exceptional healings, the gift of motherhood against all expectation, protection in danger and help in seemingly impossible personal, financial and legal situations. Every Carmel today venerates an image of the Infant Jesus.
Devotion to Saint Joseph is likewise a typical characteristic of the Carmelites. Saint Teresa of Avila entrusted every one of the convents she founded to the particular intercession of this great saint, and she wrote this about him: „To this day I cannot remember ever having asked anything of him which he did not grant me.“ She urged all the Catholic faithful to turn to Saint Joseph in every need, since she herself had experienced „just how many graces he obtains from God“.
The convent in Chachapoyas is dedicated to the Infant Jesus of Prague and to Saint Joseph and lies on the outskirts of the city, in one of the poorer quarters. Many people from the local neighbourhood like to come to the convent to attend Holy Mass, and to ask the sisters for their prayers.
At present the convent has nine professed sisters and three aspirants. Ten other young women are exploring their vocation and would like to enter the convent. On the one hand this is a reason for great rejoicing, but at the same time it is a challenge, since at present the convent does not have enough space for these young women, and already has no proper space for the washroom, the host baking machinery and other such workrooms. Much of the equipment is still stored in the corridors in fact. And so their plan is to build on an additional two-storey wing. The ground floor will house the novitiate, where the young women will explore their vocation in silence and prayer and seeking after God, while the upper floor will contain the various practical workshops and activity rooms.
The Carmelites have asked for our help. They still need another 20,000 Euros for this additional wing. Will you help them to make this plan a reality, so that these young women who wish to give their lives to God can finally be admitted to the convent?
