ELYSBURG - The church was filled and all seated were quiet, as soft voices from behind the walls sang an opening hymn.
Monday marked the final mass for a Solemn Novena held at the Carmelite Monastery in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The feast day celebration was topped off with a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by area native The Most Rev. William J. Waltersheid, the auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
In his homily to a filled chapel, Waltersheid stated the congregation was not in Elysburg on this day, but at Mount Carmel with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ and the patroness of the Carmelite Order.
"On this, her feast day, our hearts are completely open to her and her teachings, which we are to follow," Waltersheid told the congregation.
In a time, he said, when Jesus is needed most in the church and world, the auxiliary bishop spoke of Mary's present-day role.
"When Jesus was on the cross, taking our sins from us," Waltersheid said. "He looked at his mother and made her the mother of all who believe in him. We are all the sons and daughters of an Immaculate Mother. No intentions to her go unheard. She is our advocate and says yes to us, so we must learn to say yes to her and let her into our hearts."
Waltershied also used the example of a young child taking their First Holy Communion Monday.
"You will remember this feast day for so many years because of the special gift you will be given today," he said. "This day, when you think of it, will open your heart so wide and fill it with love."
Waltersheid then thanked the Discalced Carmelite Nuns who live in seclusion at the Elysburg Monastery and pray as part of their mission to end all hardship in the world.
"The sisters here live on Mount Carmel, and we thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for all their prayers for us," he said.
A native of Locust Gap, Waltersheid thanked all those for coming , especially all of his friends from the area.
"I am very grateful for your presence here today," he said. "I see so many familiar faces and open hearts."
Waltersheid was not the only area native to help the Carmelite Nuns honor Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Rev. Jonathan Sawicki, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, York, an Atlas native, was the guest preacher at the monastery's chapel, celebrating daily Mass, delivering a sermon and Novena prayers.