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"Stella Maris Monastery "

Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel

Wednesday, ‎December ‎25, ‎2013

Fifth Day of my Holy Land Trip, Mount Zion, Jerusalem

My Holy Land Trip

"Stella Maris Monastery "

Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel

"Stella Maris Monastery "

The Stella Maris Monastery or Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Haifa is a 19th-century Discalced Carmelite monastery located on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Israel.

The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. The order was established in 1593, pursuant to the reform of the Carmelite Order of the Ancient Observance by two Spanish saints, Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross.

The Discalced Carmelite order is now known by the initials "O.C.D." (The older branch of the order, Carmelites of the Ancient Observance, has the initials "O. Carm."). The secular branch of the order (the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, formerly known as the Third Order), has the initials "O.C.D.S."

Near to Stella Maris Monastry and church, Haifa, Israel:

In the 12th century, during the Crusader rule of the region, groups of religious hermits began to inhabit the caves of this area in imitation of Elijah the Prophet. In the early 13th century, their leader and prior (referred to in the rule only as 'Brother B,' although sometimes claimed despite an absence of supporting evidence to be either Saint Brocard or Saint Bertold) asked the patriarch of Jerusalem, Saint Albert, to provide the group with a written rule of life.

This was the originating act of the Order, who took the name 'Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel' or Carmelites. The oratory was dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her aspect of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, (Latin: Stella Maris). Within a few decades, these monastic hermits left the troubled Holy Land and the Carmelite order spread throughout Europe.

Stella Maris Church. The unique Stella Maris Church is the world center of the Christian Order of Carmelita, Haifa, Israel:

At the end of Saint Louis’ first crusade to the Holy Land in 1254, he took six Carmelites back to France with him and the Order had begun to found houses throughout Europe from 1238 onwards. However, when Saint Jean d'Acre fell in 1291, they were forced to withdraw by Mamluks.

In 1631 the discalced branch of the Order returned to the Holy Land, led by the Venerable Father Prosper. He had a small monastery constructed on the promontory at Mount Carmel, close to the lighthouse, and the friars lived there until 1761, when Dhaher al-Omar, then effectively independent ruler of Galilee, ordered them to vacate the site and demolish the monastery.

Main entrance to the Church of Stella Maris:

The Order then moved to the present location, which is directly above the grotto where the prophet Elijah is said to have lived. Here they built a large church and monastery, first clearing the site of the ruins of a Medieval Greek church, known as “the Abbey of St. Margaret” and a chapel, thought to date back to the time of the Byzantine Empire.

This new church was seriously damaged in Napoleon’s 1799 campaign. Sick and wounded French soldiers were accommodated in the monastery, and when Napoleon withdrew, the Turks slaughtered them and drove out the friars.

Inside the Stella Maris Church. The unique Stella Maris Church is the world center of the Christian Order of Carmelita, Haifa, Israel:

In 1821, Abdallah Pasha of Acre ordered the ruined church to be totally destroyed, so that it could not serve as a fort for his enemies, while he attacked Jerusalem. The masonry was used to build an Abdallah Pasha's summer palace and a lighthouse, which were sold back to the Carmelite order in 1846. The current church and monastery, built under the orders of Brother Cassini of the Order, was opened in 1836. Three years later Pope Gregory XVI bestowed the title of Minor Basilica on the sanctuary, and it is now known “Stella Maris”, meaning Star of the Sea. For much of the 20th Century it was occupied by the Military, first the British, and later the Israeli, but at the end of their lease it was handed back to the Order.

The Monastery serves as a centre of Carmelite spirituality throughout the world. The symbol of the Order is mounted right above the entrance door. During the erection of the church, friars were assaulted by their neighbors and had to defend their property and the church guests. As a result, the monastery's ground floor is built out of thick walls with few and small openings covered by bars.

A statue of Elijah in the crypt of the Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

The monastery's main church resembles the shape of a cross. The ceiling of the hall is roofed and decorated by colorful paintings based on motifs from Old and New Testaments: Elijah rising to the heavens, David strings his harp, the prophet Isaiah, the holy family and the four evangelists. Latin inscriptions of biblical verses are written around the roofed dome.

Above the altar stands the statue of the Virgin Mary carrying Jesus on her knees. The statue is called "our mistress the Carmel". The platform stairs lead to a quarried cave in which a stone altar was built on top of the statue of Elijah. New embossments dedicated to Carmelite figures are hoisted on all four corners of the central hall. At the western wall of the church is a large organ that is played in religious ceremonies and special concerts dedicated to church music.

Beautiful dome above the altar of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

In the 12th century, during the Crusader occupation of the region, groups of religious hermits began to inhabit the caves of this area in imitation of Elijah the Prophet.

Within a century, these monastic hermits were organized into the Carmelite order and the Carmelite order spread throughout Europe.

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

While the Carmelite orders flourished in Europe throughout the Middle Ages, its founders on Mount Carmel were exiled at the time of the Mamluk conquest in 1291 and did not return until the 18th century. Construction of the present monastery and basilica was begun in 1836.

An earlier monastery complex on this site served as a hospital for Napoleon's soldiers during his unsuccessful siege of Acre (Akko) in 1799. Many abandoned French soldiers who were slaughtered by the Turks after Napoleon had retreated.

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

Situated across the street from the Old Lighthouse, with a magnificent view of the sea, the entire ensemble of buildings, including the Lighthouse, is known as "Stella Maris."

The Stella Maris church is a beautiful structure, with Italian marble so brightly and vividly patterned that visitors sometimes think the walls have been painted.

Colorful paintings on the dome, done by Brother Luigi Poggi (1924-28), depict episodes from the Old Testament, the most dramatic being the scene of Elijah swept up in a chariot of fire. The statue of the Virgin Mary, carved from cedar of Lebanon, is also notable.

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

The cave situated below the altar, which you can walk down into, is "Elijah's Cave," where the Old Testament prophet is believed to have lived. Many little votive candles burn on the altar above the cave, each representing a Carmelite community in another country (the United States has its candle up on the left).

In the rooms to the right of the entryway, there is a charming nativity scene, a museum with artifacts from the Byzantine church that once stood on this site, and a small souvenir shop.

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

One of the monks will gladly give you a free pamphlet with information about the history of the site and the Carmelite order dating back to the arrival of the crusaders on this mountain in the late 12th century. They will answer any questions you may have, and guide you to the various interesting details of the church.

The pyramid in front of the church is a memorial to the French soldiers who died here after Napoleon's retreat. It bears the inscription "How are the mighty fallen in battle," from King David's lamentation over Saul and Jonathan.

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

There is another church, located on the right side of the entrance; when there are too many visitors in the main church, they are referred to this church to conduct ceremonies and prayers.

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

Fr. Dancy celebrating our Holy Mass on Christmas day in the upper floor chapel of Carmelite Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel:

City of Haifa is the third largest settlement in Israel. The unique Stella Maris Church is the world center of the "Christian Order of Carmelita". That Order is the initiator of the erection of the church and its consecration. The temple of Stella Maris is situated on the slopes of Mount Caramel. The only way you can reach this temple is a walk on foot or by funicular.

The church and Church Stella Maris are the biggest tourist attractions in Haifa and in general in this part of the country.

Interiors of Stella Maris Monastery:

The history of the Church of Stella Maris began in the early 17th century. In 1627 Carmelita receives ownership over the top of Mount Caramel and a secret cave, where he is supposed to have hidden. The initial construction of the temple began in the mid- 17th century, but the current outlook of the Church Stella Maris is due to the restoration process in the 18th century.

Stella Maris Church dome:

Previously, the areas around the monastery are French, resulting in the Church Stella Maris and the lands around it are often named as the French Quarter, and "French Caramel."

The foundations of the current Stella Maris were made in 1767, by the Italian architect, who was the author of the Cassini project, which arrived in Haifa on special occasions. For three decades, they build the Church Stella Maris, a large proportion of the funds are donations. In the spring of 1795 was solemnly consecrated the male wing of the monastery "St. Mary of Mount Caramel - Notre Dame de Carmen" 

Stella Maris Church interior, Altar:

The complex was built on four floors, incorporating 12 monastic cells and three rooms for the pilgrims, church, dining room, ceremonial hall, library, hospital and pharmacy, as well as bakery, who were in favor of the local population. French sponsorship for the Stella Maris and the interior furnishing of the premises was significant. Ultimately, the Church of Stella Maris was finalized in 1836, then quickly gained popularity as a center of pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

 Napoleon Soldiers Monument, in front of the church of Stella Maris: 

The monastery of Stella Maris is on an area of 32 by 60 meters. Above the entrance of the monastery can be seen the traditional shield crest and the image of Mount Caramel. On its top is a cross and the prophet Elijah with his sword. The structure is rectangular, and in the center was built a church with a small cave under the altar. It is made in a classic Catholic style. The walls of the church Stella Maris today offer the opportunity to catch a glimpse of its unique murals that recreate scenes from the meeting of the Prophet Elijah in God's family.

Stella Maris monument and lighthouse in a background:

It is estimated that there are graves of priests from the time of the Crusades. The small cave is known by the locals' as the bed of Elijah. Italian artist Luigi Podzhi is the one who painted many icons in Stella Maris, mostly in the 20’s of last century. In the innermost part of the altar can be seen sculptures of the Virgin with Jesus - Notre Dame de Caramel, over which are carved crowns of gold.

The church and monastery of Stella Maris have an interesting museum where you can see dioramas of "Nativity", a huge human stone rung labeled "Zeus liopolitanus Karmelius" and many archaeological finds from the Byzantine era to the present day.