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"You Make All Things New"Graceful roses permeate the Santa Teresita campus in Duarte, California. Beautiful roses abound in the gardens, on stained-glass windows, tiles, woodcarvings, plaques, paintings and lovely vases in a myriad of rooms. Exquisite tiled roses grace the facade of the lovely chapel – one rose for each Carmelite Sister who was serving at Santa Teresita, when the chapel was built in 1959.
Santa Teresita is named after St. Therese, a Carmelite nun who died at twenty-four. St. Therese, also known as “the Little Flower,” taught her little way of confidence and love known as “the Little Way of Spiritual Childhood.” She loved flowers and once said, “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses . . . .” St. Therese’s “Shower of Roses” has come to symbolize the spiritually-fruitful life, love, beauty, graces, and blessings abounding within the Santa Teresita campus. Over the years, ever since August 2, 1930, when Santa Teresita first opened its doors, roses have accompanied each phase of growth and development. As a part of the current implementation of Santa Teresita’s adaptation of the Eden Alternative® model of eldercare, older buildings will soon be demolished to make way for this new vision on Santa Teresita’s horizon. . . . Barbara Giolando wrote her personal reflections after participating in our recent “Countdown to the Teardown” event held at Santa Teresita last July. She was able to “put into words” what was in our hearts. Barbara gave Spirit of Carmel permission to include these reflections in this special feature highlighting Santa Teresita, “80 Years of Blessings . . . and the Vision Continues.” Thank you, Barbara, for finding the right words to what was and remains in our hearts. “Reflections” by Barbara J. Giolando July 25, 2009 A gentle breeze wafted through the people gathered together to witness the demolition of a building within the compound of Santa Teresita in Duarte, California. This little piece of paradise has been a haven and a source of healing to many people since it was founded by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles in 1930. The site is soon to be altered to meet the needs of the elderly. The tuberculosis sanatorium and the acute care hospital, that once met the needs of so many individuals, were soon to be eradicated from the site to make room for a new beginning. As the people gathered under the awning that had been erected to shade the sun, a building loomed ahead of those seated. It gave the appearance of an abandoned home, cold and shallow and empty. The thought of what had been contained within those walls touched my heart, and brought a tinge of sadness into my soul. I recalled my younger years when I was training to be a registered nurse. Sometimes, at night, when I walked past the hospital before entering it, the lighted rooms shown in the darkness like an illuminated honeycomb. I visualized the patients safely bedded within that haven, knowing that I was a part of their comfort and security. This thought made me wonder what the Sisters must be thinking and how they must be feeling. What a blend of mixed emotions, what a whirlpool of sadness and joy -- and yet, as I studied their faces, I saw only smiles and radiance and a true, deep feeling of hope and trust and faith. When Mother Regina Marie, the Superior General of the Carmelite Sisters, approached the podium, her voice brought to life the reflections she wanted to share with us regarding this momentous moment. Mother reminded us that this is not an ending -- it is the beginning of a new era -- the start of a magnificent honeycomb that will embrace the elderly, provide them with new friends who perhaps will become family, frame them with the tender care of the Sister’s, and hold them close as they move forward on their journey to Heaven, and into the welcoming arms of God. Mother gave us the history of the building and the grounds. From that, we became aware of the love and hard work the Carmelite Sisters had invested into making this compound a home, a place of healing, a refuge, and a safe harbor. The Chapel stands with dignity and reverence as a reminder of God’s everlasting love and presence within this complex. A ceremonial “Presentation of Roses” was led by Sister Patrocinio. Sister has been a Carmelite for seventy-five years and had entered the Convent when the foundress, Mother Luisita, was the Mother Superior. Twelve Carmelite Sisters participated in the Presentation ceremony. As a symbol of respect and a means of honoring the dedication and hard work of all the sisters, past and present, each sister left a single rose at the site of the deserted building. The voices of the sister’s choir filled the air with a heavenly sound as each sister left a rose and slowly turned away from the building, retreading the path that had led her to it. The sight of this procession caused me to wonder what feelings must be churning within each sister. The older sisters carry deeper and different memories than the younger ones, but the loss is on the same level, as is the anticipation of what lies within the future. My heart filled with joy and sadness and my tears reflected both emotions. At the conclusion of the Presentation of Roses, Mother turned to the construction crew and gave them permission to “start the engines.” The large teeth of that mean machine ground heavily, raised with a vengeance, and clamped themselves into the roof of the empty, deserted building. Along with the noise, the dust rose upward and a peace flowed within me. I imagined the dust turning into petals of roses, giving a reality to the words of Saint Therese, “I will let fall a shower of roses.” And I remembered her words (which Mother had also quoted), “I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth.” The building will soon be dust and the roses will disintegrate with it. But the memories will live forever and the re-building has just begun. With it, new life, renewed dedication, and God’s love will inject itself into the grounds and find its’ way into the hearts of those who have yet to experience the many gifts still-to-come as a result of this re-birth. The voices of the Carmelite Sister’s filled the area with the song of “You Make All Things New” and the audience joined in singing. The choir of Angels was here, in that moment, on the grounds of Santa Teresita. Surely, I was not the only one with tears of joy and awe. Surely, I was not the only one who knew God orchestrated this moment to remind us that He erected this foundation and it will always be hallowed ground tended by His loving, faithful Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart. Whatever changes are made now or in the future cannot alter that fact. Santa Teresita is forever a place of serenity. His presence is always there. His presence forever lives in each soul, wherever it may dwell. As the people dispersed to enjoy the lovely reception hosted by the Sisters, there was a feeling of peace and serenity. Yes, the building showed a gaping hole and the teeth of the mean machine hovered, ready to strike again. But the void was solely within the sight of the building. Our hearts were filled with His love and His blessings. 80 Years of Blessings and the Vision Continues . . . . |