Peru Spiritual Center Unveiled

By: Reverend James Geaney, O.Carm.

In the Diocese of Lurin, Peru, a summer retreat house owned by a wealthy family and used as their vacation hide-a-way, is now the site of the Carmelites newest opportunity for spiritual growth.

	With its fountains softly flowing, the court yard of Villa Carmelitas is a ready welcome for new guests.

In order to understand and appreciate the strides made on this facility, some background needs to be shared. When this property was first purchased, it had six small bungalows, each with two bedrooms, a living room, kitchenette and bath. The property also housed a small swimming pool, hand ball court, soccer/ basketball court, plaza, a chapel and a two story recreation room. There was also a horse stable and both vegetation and flower gardens. In essence this was a miniature town, quite beautiful in its own quaint way.

The availability of this developed property coincided with the desire for the Carmelites to find a place to use for retreats. Up until this point, it was quite expensive to run retreats especially for high school students at other facilities. This was an excellent opportunity to get a place already built at a price that was affordable. It was an offer we simply could not refuse.

After its purchase, years went by and the facilities somewhat modified, were used for retreats and other gatherings for the diocese, local high schools and Carmelites within the province. We soon found the bungalows were fine for kids jammed like sardines but not really adequate for adults and married couples. We could not house any large groups, yet we were getting constant inquiries for groups of 100 or more.

Most Reverend Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., Prior General sprays holy water from a dipped rose on the new building during the blessing ceremony

In order to meet our growing needs a facility needed to be built that would grow with us and the city of Lima. We needed a multi-purpose complex to adequately meet the needs not only now, but in the future.

Father Raul Maravi, O.Carm., current President of our high school in Lima, graciously assumed responsibility for overseeing the construction. The complex that was completed in less than a year consists of 64 individual rooms with bath (double occupancy size which will accommodate up to 130 people plus the availability of the existing bungalows), a new dining and laundry area, a large conference room and a small outdoor amphitheater. All of this was completed and the rooms were totally furnished, all at a cost that most consider to be truly a miracle.

During the construction phase, additional connecting lots were purchased to build future housing for permanent Carmelites who will serve the retreat house and spiritual needs of the Diocese. This additional housing will provide lodging for visiting priests, brothers, sisters, and committed lay people, as well as house the Latin American Novitiate program that will serve the international needs of our Carmelite community. This ongoing effort will take much continued support from Carmelites and friend’s world wide.

Look at the pictures of our newest facility and join with us in thanking God for all of the graces we have received. We pray that this project will be viewed by all who come as a gift for the good of the Kingdom.

The outdoor amphitheater proved to be a pleasant gathering spot.