Thank you both, I jsut dont want to be a burden. I tried calling a little bit ago but no one picked up, so I'll try again later or maybe tomarrow, when is the best time to call?

Leave a message.

If you do talk with Sr. Agnes Marie, know that she was a cloistered sister before. I do not know for sure myself, but I suspect she became an extern out of charity and sacrifice for the community, since they needed another extern. She is a young sister and very kind.

When I was discerning there, one of the Third Order ladies that was very kind asked if I might feel called to be an extern because they were in need of them. But I told her I felt called more to the cloister, which she very much respected of course, very kindly. All the Third Order people there I met were extremely nice.

The Alexandria Carmel is a foundation from Buffalo, as is Brooklyn. Generally speaking, the Carmels you can pretty much guarantee follow the charism faithfully are the minority of Carmels in the world that chose the 1990 Constitutions. But again this is very generally speaking.

Mother Miriam told me a couple sisters that were at the Buffalo Carmel when I was there that were from the Dominican Republic, ( or possibly it was Puerto Rico), were first directed by their spiritual directers to go to a Carmel in Spain, as they would be very faithful to the original charism. They were both in the Carmel in Avila. (not the first OCD Carmel btw, I'm pretty sure it's the one that used to be the more lax Carmelite community St. Teresa was first in, the Incarnation. Later it became an OCD Carmel.)

I forgot how these sisters came to Buffalo, but they found the charism is just as faithfully lived in Buffalo. And Buffalo has kept all the Spanish traditions and customs from Mexico. Their spiritual directors though weren't really aware of this, so it was probably good they sent them to Avila (they, the sisters, also have a lot to share with the community from their experience). I'm pretty much 100% sure these sisters are now in the Brooklyn Carmel.

Here's the thread I started on this a couple months ago. At the end of the thread, I posted the Carmels in the US that follow the 1990 Constitutions. I'm not sure about 1990 Carmels in Canada though.

http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...540&hl=1990

I thought I'd post the 1990 Carmels here too: (the first 3 have the full Divine Office in Latin)

Alexandria, SD
Brooklyn, NY
Buffalo, NY
Dallas, TX
Des Plaines, IL
Erie, PA
Flemington, NJ
Iron Mountain, MI
Jefferson City, MO
Kensington, CA
Lake Elmo, MN
Louisville, KY
Mobile, AL
Pittsford, NY (Schenectady, NY recently joined them)
Traverse City, MI
Valparaiso, NE (Indult Latin Mass & Office)

That's 16/60something Discalced Carmelite Monasteries in the US.

I think Georgetown, CA follows the 1990's in all ways but that they are under the General Superior of the Carmelite Order (1991's) rather than directly to the Holy Father (1990's) - Gemma told me this.

Ada Parnell, MI follows the 1991's but is supposed to be very good - founded many Carmels. I'm sure other 1991 Carmels are good too, but I don't know of them. The only other I heard that was very good was a new one in Denmark, WI

Also, I'm assuming all the 1990s are great, but you'd really have to visit each one and speak with the Mother to really know and find out the unique spirit of each Carmel. But generally, the 1990s are supposed to be the best for orthodoxy and faithfulness to the charism and the strict enclosure.

You probably won't get someone to answer anytime you call. Generally in monastic communities the norm is to return messages at the sisters' convenience



I read the history of it once. I believe the sisters went from Mexico to Buffalo during the Mexican Revolution and religious persecution. They were fortunate to make it out of Mexico and all the way to New York in one piece! The dedication of the sisters (especially many of the superiors in their history) is astonishing.

I've been to St. Joseph's in Avila, but I didn't make it to Incarnation (was Incarnation really in Avila? All of Teresa's history is getting mixed up in my mind )

God bless,
Lauren

Yeah ...



hmm, I think both of them were in Avila. I'll have to see in a book. For now I found this site. It says that she entered the Incarnation there (in Avila I'm assuming)

I'm pretty sure Mother Miriam said the nuns were in the monastery were St. Teresa was first that was later changed into a Discalced Carmel, rather than O.Carm. I didn't realize St. Joseph's was also in Avila, but it was. :j

Thanks for the great recommendation for Alexandria though. I haven't heard very much about this Carmel only that it came from Buffalo, so I assumed it must be very good. I think the fact that it is very faithful to the charism and that it's in the country must make it one of the best.

I visited/corresponded with 5 of the Carmels on this list. First, Des Plaines, which is right near me, which is great - highly recommended. They do not come from the list of all the foundations from Mexico, but from foundations from Europe - so they have different customs and are a little more simple than the Spanish custom Carmels.
(I like both traditions)

The next was Iron Mountain, MI - foundation from Grand Rapids in 1951 - Spanish traditions - wonderful community!!! just about full now.

The next, Buffalo, NY - incredible, Latin chant, very traditional. Then Schenectady, NY - came also from Grand Rapids Mexican Carmel later than Buffalo, wonderful community (now has merged with another Carmel in Pittsford, NY)

Finally Lake Elmo, MN, which I didn't visit, but spoke a few times with Mother Rose there. They are supposed to be an exceptionally great community also. I believe it was Mother Miriam who also recommended this place. They have a lot of land and are in a very very quiet area. They also have an awesome Carmelite order right near them, the Hermits of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who come for the Sacraments and give them spiritual direction and retreats.

They have a very very plain monastery, which Mother Rose particulary thought it was important that I know, as some may find it depressing there, she said, after a time. They are from the European foundations with the simple customs like Des Plaines. She sent me pictures in the mail. Their chapel has cement walls, and truly is incredibly plain. But this for them is a sign of their poverty, and also their simplicity in all things including the material.

Mother Rose asked me if I really liked the monastic feel of Buffalo, which greatly contrasts their monastery - and I definitely did. It is beautiful. So she recommended I go there then. But something really great about Lake Elmo is that they are definitely in a silent area and have a good amount of land which they own around them - which helps protect the silence.

Try this http://www.carmelnuns.com/ (sorry I dont know how to make it a link) I have been there when the relics of Saint Therese came through and it is a beautiful monastery. It is in Arlington Texas God Bless and Mary keep
Karin

I honestly do not know much about cloisters, but I know there is a Carmelite monastery in St. Louis, MO where Our Lord is exposed all day long. The seem to have had a good number of vocations recently, so you may want to check it out.
Here's their website: Carmel of St. Louis

You'll be in my prayers! Keep us updated!

In Christ, the author of Life,
Lauren

Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus? I believe there is a cloistered Carmelite Commuity that has Adoration on First Fridays, but I don't remember if it is in St. Louis or not.

In the archdiocese of St. Louis there are three Carmelite communities: Carmelite Missionaries of St. Teresa; Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus; Discalced Carmelites.

The discalced (cloistered) sisters (nuns) do have adoration and a LOVELY chapel here in town.

Ok, I just called the Monestary and even though I didn't get to ask my questions, I did have a very nice chat with one of the sisters ( not sure which one, she didn't say her name) I needed prayers for my great-grandfather, who is going through a really rough spot right now, and we dont know if he's going to live, so I'm asking your prayers too. I'll write more when I call the Monestary and ask my questions, particularly if they have a new postulent ( I think they do ).
God Bless

Unless you're sure it was one of the sisters- as in they told you- it was one of the third order members or lay helpers.

And they received a postulant on the 8th. I think another's due to enter soon.

And Buffalo has adoration on First Fridays and Third Sundays.

By the way, before I forget,

Happy Feast of St John of the Cross to everyone!

I just got off the phone with Mother Miram again, she's so wonderful and kind. She said that they did have a postulent enter on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and the other girl is looking to enter in the spring. The externs are NOT included in the 21 count, at least not in Buffalo, I dont know if that is a universal Carmelite thing or not. And I asked how long the formation was and Mother said it changed from person to person, but that this was a basic outline:

Postulency: 6 months to 1 year
Novice: 1 to 2 years
Temporary Vows: 3 years, but can be extened.

Just thought I'd let every one know. Please keep my an mine in your prayers, as my great-grandfather just passed away ( Mother said that they would keep praying for him)

for you and your family.

Lily, Thanks for sharing! :j Probably the 21 count for the cloister only is a universal thing if that's how it is in Buffalo. That's great! I thought it was 27 when I was there, which makes more sense now knowing this, since there were 2 externs, and I believe 5 were going to Brooklyn. So now you know even more that there will definitely be a place for you. :D

I thought I would post information and pictures of some Carmelite communities and who they are here. (I do focus more on the nuns here, as I do not know very much about the monks and all the male Carmelite religious in the world - feel free to add more about them too)

First, there are 2 'Orders of Mt. Carmel' in the Church today. (I thought I would write this in case if someone is searching online for Carmelites and comes here, they'll find a simple explanation - then they can search further for more information - feel free to correct any information here)

The Carmelites of the Ancient Observance is the first Order that originated with the hermits on Mount Carmel in Palestine. They sign after their names, O.Carm. There are several good Carmelites from this Order today. There are a couple monasteries of cloistered nuns associated with the IRL, which you can find on their Vocation Search, searching 'Carmel.' There are also great new communities of Carmelite monks who have been agragated into this Order, like the Hermits of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here's a picture of some of the cloistered O.Carm. nuns (Coopersburg, PA):


They love all the Carmelite saints, like St. Teresa of Avila, and definitely read her writings, but she is not specifically their Mother and Foundress, like the Discalced Carmelites.

The 2nd Order of Carmel in the Church is the Discalced (without shoes) Carmelite Order. They are a reform of the Carmelite Order, founded by the great St. Teresa of Avila in the 1500s. St. Teresa was a nun in the O.Carm. Order, in a community that had become lax in many practices of religious life. So St. Teresa founded her own Carmel, where strict observance of enclosure was to be observed among other things, like limiting the numbers of nuns per each monastery. A co-founder with her was St. John of the Cross. The Discalced Carmelites are both monks and nuns, like the O.Carm. Order. This is the Order which most of the well known Carmelite saints were in, like St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. There are 60something OCD Carmels in the US. Here is a thread that explains the 2 different Constituions ( 1990 & 1991 ) of the OCD nuns today. And here is a picture of the cloistered nuns (Morristown, NJ):


Then there are the many great contemplative/active Carmelite congregations, often affiliated with either of the Orders. The first that comes to mind are the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus, who sign after their names, DCJ. (Central Province, Northern Province) Here is a picture:


Then there are the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, whose motto is "The Difference is Love." They are a part of the Ancient Carmelite Order and sign after their names, O.Carm. Here is a nice little picture I found on the CMSWR site:


Then there are the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, which are affiliated with the OCDs. (website has music - the sisters singing ). They are featured on the IRL Completely Christ's vocation DVD. They also give annual women's retreats for Magdalen College. And here is a picture:


Finally, the last congregation that comes to mind that is contemplative/active is the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel, affiliated with the OCDs. They sign after their names, CMC, and are often called the CMC sisters. I believe they are pretty much an all Indian congregation because all the formation is in Kerala, India. They are in the Syro Malabar rite of the Church, though they all know very well the Roman rite, and attend mostly the Roman Mass here in the US. I mention them just because they are not very well known in the Western world of religious life, though they actually have more sisters than the Missionaries of Charity. We have several convents of them in the Chicago area. They are mostly either teachers or nurses. Their founder is Blessed Chavara (who also founded the male branch, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, CMI) and foundress, Blessed Eufrasia, recently beatified. Here is the only picture I could find online of one with the white version of their habit (as it gets really hot in India) - the other looks similar to the DCJs - they also work with the DCJs in WI and possibly stay in the same convent - I'm not sure. When they wear it around here, mostly in the Summer, they say many people ask if they're Dominicans. :j


And that's it for my post on all the Carmelites. I only mentioned the few I could think of just now that are contemplative/active, but feel free to add more! And here is a site with all the Congregations Affiliated with the Discalced Carmelite Order.

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

Thank you M C for this detailed information and the pictures which were truly lovely.

I just read something new about the monastery of the Carmelite Nuns of the Ancient Observance in Coopersburg, PA. This monastery was founded in 1931 by Mother Therese of Jesus, as the Carmelite Monastery of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi. They are heavily influenced by the St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of Cross, though they are a part of the original O.Carm. Order.

Anyway, Mother Therese's body was found incorrupt and the case may be investigated by the Church. Mother Therese's Body Found Intact

I don't know if anybody has mentioned the Carmelite Sisters of Corpus Christi yet. They are a contemplative/active community of the Ancient Observance. They have a very unusual history - they originally started out as Dominican tertiaries.

Another way to find great Carmels, besides looking only at ones with the 1990 Constituations, would be the ones in St. Joseph's Association (1990 & 1991's, living out a traditional interpretation of the Rule)

also the Carmel in Des Plaines IL (1990) told me Terre Haute (1991) is very good

I visited the Carmel in St. Louis, MO. It is a beautiful old monastery. They are part of St. Teresa's Association (1991's) which does have meetings outside the monastery every 3 years or so. I believe only a couple of the nuns from each monastery goes each time. But still they were a great community - different than the 1990 Carmels in certain things though.

The adoration is really a unique thing about their Carmel. I'm pretty sure it was the bishop of St. Louis who asked them if they would slightly change their way of life to fit in adoration thoroughout the day, where the public could also come and adore on the other side of the cloister. It is an incredibly beautiful old chapel.

Other differences ... They are allowed to watch some religious programs or tapes on TV, while the 1990s definitely are not. In Buffalo, the only time they could ever watch a tiny bit of TV would be for something like the installation of a new Holy Father. But for anything else, it is strictly prohibited. For instance, they did not see The Passion of the Christ.

I really like the strict fidelity to a traditional interpretation of the Rule of the 1990 Carmels (and some of the 1991s), but some of the others can be great too.

Has anyone in the pham ever discerned with the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles? They seem like a really cool order, but I dont recall anyone ever talking about them here...

I haven't ... yeah, they do seem like a great Order, and they have so many vocations these days ..

Yeah, they do, and not many orders seem to work in hospitals anymore, which I think is a pity.

Hey guys, I just came back from a visit to the Des Plaines Carmel near my home. It's a very nice Carmel. I'm not sure if it's where I'm called though.

I talked to the sister at the turn. I did ask her about recreation, and they do have 1 hour after lunch and 1 in the evening, where they are together and talk while doing some kind of work. She said all Discalced Carmels have these 2 recreations if they are following the Constitutions. All the Carmels I visited had this: St Louis, Iron Mt., Buffalo, Schenactady .. and the others I inquired about.

It may be that a few Carmels have differences that are under the 1991 Constitutions. I believe these constitutions give more freedom to the way of life. For instance, the Port Tobacco Carmel is under the 1991's has individual hermitages and the St. Louis Carmel, 1991, has daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

But I'm pretty sure, that this, the 2 hours of daily recreation in community, is a norm for all OCD Carmels, as this nun said, as it is written in their Constitutions. But I haven't read either the 1990's or the 1991's myself.

It was great to have sometime today to drive out there and visit. I told the sister about the Srs of Bethlehem and how I'm trying to discern whether I'm called to a life with more solitude or not. She said for discerning Carmel, it's best to read the works of St. Teresa, and to read the translation by Allison Peers, which is much better than the one by Kieran Kavanaugh, which are the ones I have. So I'm going to take her advice. She said you'll know if you're called to Carmel, if while reading St. Teresa's writing you find yourself saying, I have found my mother. :j

What I found is that I had to start with biographies about St Teresa of Avila. Then I had to learn about Carmel, about the saints etc...Bit by bit I read Teresa's works. The Way of Perfection, her autobiography [I am reading again now] etc... Her writings weren't something I could read easily in one sitting. There's so much in every paragraph and the woman meanders all over the place too )

I personally prefer Father Kavanaugh's books because I've been told that his translations are very faithful. I have the collected works of Teresa of Avila volumes one and two that he did with Father Otilio Rodriguez. It kind of makes it easier for me to have all of her writings in a couple of books. If you ever get the chance watch the movie about her life that comes out on EWTN around Oct 15th of every year. It's absolutely beautiful.

Let me know about the Allison Peers biography. I'd like to hear what you think of her translation and if the read itself came easier to you. Goodness knows, I'm slow enough as it is!

Which Carmelites are these? Where from, I love the postulents outfits ( not that they really matter much, it's getting vain over sack cloth, I guess ) and that cross is ginormous!

haha 'ginormous' cute...
its from
Sacred Heart Carmelite Monastery, (non-federated)
Colorado Springs
They assist at Tridentine Liturgy, and 1962? books-Office i believe, and follow older Carmelite Constitutions..(1904 Constitutions approved by Pius X?), not accepting more recent constitutional reforms, like like the other 2 old Constitution carms (each one in Spain and France)
But, they are having a bit of 'problems' at the moment, because there chaplains..practically next door, while not SSPX, are not in favour either with the local Bishop., not allowing local faithful to Communicate at the next door Community parish...yet the Carmelites themselves are still waiting for the 2005 request for official status from Rome.

Peace, and hope in Christ Jesus!
Emile-James.
pic unrel.

So, the nuns are ok? I know there has been lack of clarity regarding this community in the past.

sheesh,,if i was a women,,hmmm..you all certainly have lotsa options dwon there! :p

Are you looking for the one true Love of your life?
Applicants to our Carmel are single women 21-35 years of age.
For more information, you can contact us at:

Carmelite Monastery
27601 Highway 1
Carmel, CA 93923 (Monterey Bay)

(831) 624-3043


Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, Haifa Israel (CARMEL our beginnings)



------------
California

I visited this community last January. ..it really is a beautiful monastery. The chapel was FREEZING since it was right there on the ocean! It was a little. . .different of a visit for me since the community was ill at the time, and I didn't even meet the superior the entire time I was there. . . I was left on my own a lot of the time and when they moved their prayer time into the recreation room instead of the chapel. . .no one told me

I commented on how beautiful the ocean was and that perhaps they'd attract many vocation inquiries because of the location alone (not to say someone would enter because of that mind you. . .but inquiries alone). The novice mistress said. .'well the ocean might bring you here, but it sure won't keep you here' Would I consider them again? Sure. If that's what He wills. Back then, I suppose it wasn't what He willed.

God bless.

(BTW Emile, that top picture is actually the Carmel in Haifa Israel, not in CA. It's only on their website to show their history. )


In Him,
D.

wonderful, austerity, sacrifice of your will,even if the ocean is next door..sounds very French actually, where every church, chapel ,monastery is freeezing in winter, sometimes painfully so. I have never been able to speak with Abbots/Superiors, unless i have been there for more then an observing little retreat,only a second time or after talking first to a novice master/vocations director...trying to keep a filter through to superiors... actually i have found the more contemplative or 'alone' in dwelling, a community is, the less communicative with guests.and each other.about 'tasks' 'order'...in my former Order, as a Novice i sometimes discovered what was going on by being nosey, sometimes was forgotten about completely left uninformed of changes, so i missed things all together!!, leaving you to discover humility.and make mistakes,but .i guess doesn't help if everyone is sick..!, .
yes now i see that would be Haifa. ill edit it out..

Hello heavenlycalling, I dont' know if anyone has mentioned yet, but the Carmelite Nuns of St. Louis Missouri are a wonderful carmel, and they have adoration of the blessed sacrament from the morning following mass until the evening at benediction and each sister takes a turn adoring our lord throughout the day. They wear the traditional habit, and keep to the traditions of holy Mother St. Teresa, and they are such a lovely group too! You can visit their page and obtain contact information here: http://www.stormpages.com/mtcarmel/

God Bless You!

I like the edit! LOL I was GOING to write back NOT to edit it out because it's such a beautiful monastery. . .but then I sure did LIKE what you did with it! by the by, were you a Carmelite friar. . .you mention your Order. . .and I'm

Grazie!

They do look like a wonderful community, but I think someone mentioned that they already had 20 members, which means that they will most likely be full by the time I am ready to enter, maybe I am confusing them with someone else though...

Emile James, I was wondering, is the order you posted ( the one with the St. Theresa quote) in communion with Rome?

oh ok, when I did my livein they only had 9 at the time, and only had one postulant and but was a little over a year ago, so perhaps they have gotten more postulants wich is wonderful!

God Bless You!

You know, Emile, I would really like to know where you got your information about the Carmel in Colorado Springs. I was a seminarian with their chaplains' community. I am VERY familiar with the history of their foundation, and current status.

They hold the same theological position as their directors. Sadly theirs is not a totally regular position. But they are definitely true Discalced Carmelite Nuns.

Actually, that was the Carmelites in Iron Mountain, Michigan, which is an awesome community, very very similar to Buffalo, though they don't have the full Office in Latin .. http://religiouslife.com/vocsearch/search....&criteria=d

The St. Louis Carmel was the first Carmel I visited back in 2002. I really liked the sisters and the beautiful old monastery. However, I learned a few months after visiting them about the different Constitutions of the OCDs, and decided to stick with the ones that follow the 1990's, as I was posting about before. The St. Louis Carmel follows the 1991's. One thing about them is that they do read a lot of writings of Carol Houselander. I am not sure if she is a liberal writer or not. When I was there the Reverend Mother lent me a cassette to listen to of the book, Reed of God, about Our Lady. The part I heard I remember was incredibly beautiful and very spiritual. I didn't hear anything that sounded off. But since then, I've heard that her writings are considered more liberal, and not part of the general list of good orthodox books to read. Does anyone else know more on this?

But I did really like the sisters who spoke to me at the grill there. Their grill has one grill, while the 1990 Carmels will all have a double set of grills - a minor detail, but it's something some of the 1990s told me, that was not changed after VII. The nuns at the St. Louis Carmel do wear the full habit, and have a beautiful old monastery though. They aren't as traditional as a community like Buffalo though. I do like them however, and their daily adoration .. But again, I've decided to stick with the 1990s if I consider entering a Carmel again, if it's the Lord's will ..

Margaret Clare. ..I'm wondering what it is about the 1990s communities, other than the fact that they have changed little, if at all from V II, that has made you decide to consider them alone. . .just curious, since I too have a Carmelite heart, and like to hear other's journeys.

God bless,
D.

1. Because they're directly under the Holy Father instead of the Carmelite Friars, of which some became more liberal after VII. It was the friars who desired the Carmels to form federations and have meetings outside the enclosure. But St. Teresa wanted to her nuns to have strict enclosure. Some of the 1991 Carmels aren't part of federations like this, and not that all of those in the federations aren't good Carmels either, or unorthodox in any way. Many of them are associated with the IRL. But I would rather be in a Carmel that is very strict on the enclosure, only going out for things like medical necessities. It just feels a lot more secure being directly under the Holy See than under the Friars, as often with liberalism comes loss of respect and appreciation for the cloistered contemplative vocation.

2. From reading the history about how the nuns strove hard to see that the old Constitutions were approved, including St. Maravillas - and how the Buffalo Carmelites had been fervently praying for this up until 1990.

3. I believe the Reverend Mother has more power in directing the community than the 1991 Carmels, who give more of the decisions to the chapter vote. So if a 1991 Carmel had a few sisters with ideas to change this or that, it could happen. But with the Mother more in charge in the 1990 Carmels, and with their older Constitutions, change really isn't going to happen. For instance, I do remember the Novice Mistress at a 1991 Carmel saying they were most probably going to not be using the discipline anymore on Fridays. She said this after I mentioned seeing an Opus Dei priest. I think Opus Dei is generally a very good and orthodox organization for the laity and its priests are usually always great. They do emphasize mortification, but not to great extremes, but in little things. But some people really don't like Opus Dei's focus on mortification - but that's the Christian life! That's what Our Lady asks for in Lourdes & Fatima.

These are the few reasons I can think of now .. But actually another reason, though less important, that I decided to stick with only the 1990s, was because there are just so many Carmels in the US to choose from! I realized that many 1991s may be great, but at the same time, you can't only discern by the full habit. Having this list of the 1990 Carmels was a great way for me to narrow down all the options!

The 1990s communities still use the discipline? LOL I remember meeting a girl who was discerning religious life, who was absolutely mortified that the PCC (or maybe OSC) community she visited, still used the discipline. To me. . .penance of one kind or another is part and parcel of religious life. This is only one example. Phooey, just living with different types of personalities can also be a penance! Ok I'm rambling. . .making a swift exit here!

Yep, that's how I've been. And I haven't found her writings in any way a quick read myself. I'm focused on reading her works as a discernment at this point though, because I did enter a Carmel in 2003 after reading only a few chapters of her works. My dad had read all of her works of course, and wished I had too before entering. But I was quite anxious to enter right away. Anyway, now my dad has told me I need to read all of her works .. :j Yeah, we have Fr. Kavanaugh's complete set here too. Yes, the Teresa de Jesus series on EWTN is awesome!
Yeah, I'll post something on this. Actually in this thread, I posted the same thing about visiting the Des Plaines Carmel and getting this Peers recommendations, and got a few great replies: http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...62471&st=20

I have all three volumes of Kavanaugh's works. I'll get through all of them .. .soon

Wow, this Carmel looks great!

Seems like many of the Carmelite Monasteries in California were built in the old Spanish style ..

hello, Grace, and to you Peace..
no i was in another large Order based in France, but not Carmelite, though ,(especially novitiate),we had a very Carmelite horarium/religious lifestyle-prayer life ( except the rising for 2 am matins), , and St. Little Therese as one of our patrons....and a Dominican type formation/Apostolate.. our Mystical Theology studies for 2 years was based on St. John of The Cross, and the Book of Revelation.
E-J.

Not the Community of St. John?

well, thats in discussion, they would say they are....one would have to write them, then the bishop, to get the latest story....their Chaplains as of last year, are not considered to be in Communion with the 'Conciliar Church', kinda SSPX, but they would beg to differ...

http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/