HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Dear Friends of Carmel Mission,
Some months ago, I wrote to you about one of our most precious possessions here at the Mission, the statue of Our Lady of Bethlehem.
This statue has a huge significance for our community and indeed for the entire Diocese of Monterey. Our Lady of Bethlehem is Patroness of our Diocese. She is perhaps the oldest statue of our Blessed Mother in the United States, having been crafted in Portugal in the 15th century, and brought here by St. Junípero and his companions.
The great and joyful news on this Gaudete Sunday, is that Our Lady of Bethlehem has come home for Christmas. You can see her in all her splendor in her Chapel inside our beautiful Basilica. She has undergone the most thorough and expert restoration available from head to toe. Her face has a new fresh look to it, which will outlast the most expensive face-lifts! Her garments have been completely cleaned and repaired where needed.
I express my great gratitude to our Carmel Mission Docent Association who provided most of the funding for this restoration, and to the individuals who donated to this worthwhile cause, but who wish to remain anonymous.
We have so many sacred treasures entrusted to our care, and I believe, we have a responsibility to preserve them for generations to come.
Gaudete! Let us rejoice!
Fr. Paul
Pastor at Carmel Mission