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New Helfta Atelier
P.O. Box 464
Geneseo, NY 14454

Tel. (585)-243-1226
Fax: (585)-245-6810
Email: Minhkh@rochester.rr.com

(c) 2001, All Rights Reserved
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New Helfta is perhaps more of an ideal than a reality. But it is an ideal that I am deeply committed to, of living a more contemplative life on this earth as one who is made for another world where God is all in all, and Jesus is the way to God. At the present time, having made my solemn vow of chastity, and consecrated myself to God, I live in a room that I have made a monastic cell which I call New Helfta. I follow a life deeply marked by the same spirit that inspired St. Gertrude , a nun of Helfta monastery in 13th Century Germany, that followed the Cistercian way of life . My cell is where I pray, meditate and study. It is located in a home in a small University town. The New Helfta Atelier locates in a different home in town. It is my art studio in which I write icons and do other kinds of artworks.

A few times a year, I travel and give PowerPoint presentation on A Soul’s Journey with God accompanied by a number of my icons. Writing icons, working on sacred arts and giving presentations do help support my way of life, but the ultimate goal and main purpose are to praise and to witness to the love and the glory of God as revealed in the Incarnation of the Word in Jesus Christ, in the Mother of God and in the Saints whom I depict in original interpretation of traditional mysteries and figures.

I hope someday to have others join me to form a true and more committed community of persons dedicated to the search for union with God, supporting one another by fidelity to this simple and prayerful way of life in which we share our personal gifts and our possessions. God willing, we might also be called to found an orphanage so we can love, care and teach the little children who are abandoned, forgotten and are victims of the cruel and sinful world in which we live. Meantime, at New Helfta, day by day, I strive to grow in faith and love, dedicated myself to our Lord, in hope and joy witnessing to the love of Jesus and Blessed Mother Mary sustained by God's grace and mercy.

Marie Claire of New Helfta

OUR LADY OF NEW HELFTA IS DEDICATED TO
THE BLESSED TRINITY,
IN PERFECT LOVING UNION
WITH OUR BLESSED MOTHER,
in honor of New Helfta's spiritual father and teacher,
Rev. Father John Eudes Bamberger.

Our Lady of New Helfta is inspired by St. Gertrude the Great of Helfta monastery in 13th Century. It has no official affiliation with the present Kloster Helfta Eisleben in Germany which is being rebuilt. May the Lord bestow them many blessings!