Every year, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also called the Feast of the Brown Scapular, on July 16th. In honor of this special feast day last month, Nina Nolff, DM, Rosary Ministry Chair, with the help of Anna Salvi D’Emilio, DM, Class of 2023, visited St. Philip Benizi Parish in Belle Glade to deliver 300 Order of Malta Rosaries to its parishioners.
The Rosaries were placed at the feet of a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for a blessing, which was set up by Parish Priest Fr. Nobert Jean Pierre. Fr. Nobert placed scapulars with the Rosaries to be given out for this special occasion. Also in attendance was Rev. Fr. Youry Jules, Vicar from Notre Dame d’ Haiti Catholic Church in Miami.
This Rosary delivery has been months in the making; and, despite several postponements, Nina and Anna were delighted to hand deliver these Rosaries to the parish and spread the word about the Area’s ministry. After Mass and the blessing of the Rosaries, Nina spoke briefly about the Order of Malta and the Rosary Ministry.
Since the Rosary Ministry’s beginnings in November 2022, over 2,000 Order of Malta Rosaries have been blessed and distributed to those who have agreed to pray for the sick and poor.
If you would like to participate in this ministry in the Southeast Florida Area, please click here to email Nina Nolff, DM.
If you would like to learn more about starting this ministry in your own Area, please click here to email Andy Vissicchio, KMOb.
About St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church
St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Belle Glade, FL has a unique history that reflects its close connection to the agriculture community in the area. The name “St. Philip Benizi” was chosen in honor of a 13th-century Italian saint known for his dedication to the Catholic faith and his compassion for the poor and marginalized. Established in 1951, the church was built amidst the thriving agriculture landscape that surrounds Belle Glade. The founding members of the parish recognized the importance of the local farming community and sought to create a spiritual home that would support and serve the needs of the agricultural workers and their families. The church was not only a place of worship but also a gathering space where the farmers, laborers, and their families could find solace, support, and a sense of community. The Parishioner, many of whom were involved in farming themselves, worked tirelessly to construct a place of worship that reflected their faith and the values of the agriculture community.
As the church grew, it continued to serve as a spiritual anchor for the agriculture community. The Parish offered prayers for favorable weather, bountiful harvest, and the well-being of the farmers and their families. The church also provided pastoral care, support, and resources to assist the community during challenging times, such as natural disasters or economic downturns that affected the agricultural industry. St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church became a place where the faith and values of the agriculture community intersected with the teachings of Christ. The parishioners embraced the virtues of hard work, stewardship of the land, and solidarity with their neighbors, while also finding spiritual nourishment, guidance, and strength in their Catholic faith.
To this day, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church remains deeply rooted in the agriculture community of Belle Glade. It continues to provide a spiritual home for those who work the land, offering a sanctuary where the joys and challenges of agriculture life are celebrated and supported within the context of the Catholic faith.
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