The first window in the Basilica’s St. Elias (Elijah) Adoration Chapel begins in the middle of the story, where we find Elijah drinking from the brook in a ravine in an out-of-the-way spot called Wadi Cherith.

In this Year of St. Joseph, the Universal Church is taking the opportunity to study this saint in more depth. Friendship with St. Joseph is a well-established tradition of the Discalced Carmelite order, beginning with St. Teresa of Jesus.

The young woman who is today glorified by the Church with the title of Saint, is a prophet of God for the men and women of today. By the example of her life, Teresa of Jesus of the Andes shows us Christ's Gospel lived down to the last detail.

Since hiring Douglas Architects of San Antonio in October of 2020, a lot of work has been done “behind the scenes” in our restoration project. The friars have been working closely with Douglas Architects, Project Control of Texas (our project managers), various engineering firms, historical preservation experts, and a capital campaign consultant to develop a master plan for the Basilica Complex.

July 16 honors the Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the Carmelite family. The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel demonstrates the relationship cultivated with the Blessed Virgin over the eight centuries of Carmelite history.

One of the Stained Glass windows in the Basilica depicts an instance of Our Lady’s intercession on behalf of the Carmelite Order at a critical moment in its history.