Hello, my name is Taylor Reynolds and iam a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum. I feel a deep call from God to be a priest and to offer the sacrifice of the mass, but i dont know where I am to find this end at. I have (of course) discerned the Diocesean priesthood, but i have an attraction to the Carmelite spirituality. I love the writings of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, i can relate so well with them and i love the simplicity, humility and contemplation of the Carmelites. I love how they are able to leave the world behind, abandoning everything, humbling theirselves down to imitate, contemplate and unite with Christ. However, I feel that I could just as easily be lead to do missionary work and sometimes feel that if i would become a friar, i would be not using my social, speaking ability that God has given me. I also have done the total conceration to Jesus through Mary (which has totally changed my life!) So as her slave, i want to do it through,with,in and for her, but i still dont know where that may lead. Any advice? Anyone else discerning as well? I will be open to helping anyone else with their discernment just as much as being helped by anyone. Take care.

To Jesus through Mary,



Taylor Reynolds

Hey Taylor welcome to PM!

I just wanted to say that I understand..alittle about your fustrations and desires about Carmel. I too feel drawn to Carmel because of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. St. Teresa's writings to me are deep and profound...I love her total abandonment of all for God alone.

You will be in my prayers hon

However, I feel that I could just as easily be lead to do missionary work and sometimes feel that if i would become a friar, i would be not using my social, speaking ability that God has given me. I also have done the total conceration to Jesus through Mary (which has totally changed my life!) So as her slave, i want to do it through,with,in and for her, but i still dont know where that may lead. Any advice? Anyone else discerning as well? I will be open to helping anyone else with their discernment just as much as being helped by anyone. Take care.

To Jesus through Mary,
Taylor Reynolds
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Glory to Jesus Christ!
brother, i hear where you are coming from, but most Carmels for men are Friars who are contemplative preacher missionaries, supposed to be a balance of the Marian contemplative life along with opportunity for zealous preaching and missionary work though i personally wouldnt recommend much in America except ,one(of the very few) being,http://www.discalcedcarmelites.com/OurLife.html
and
http://www.discalcedcarmelites.com/index.html
only 2 or 3 Mens Carmels in the world are actually cloistered-hermetic(non-social Missionary)...
so i hope?? this bit of info helps.
pax et bonum,E-J

pax et bonum,E-J

Dear Taylor,

Praised be Jesus Christ! Okay, first I wanted to be sure you know of Fr. Robert Altier, a diocesen priest in MN, and member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. He's an outstanding homilist, totally orthodox and faithful to the Magisterium. He used to speak on our local Catholic radio station a lot. He's at St. Agnes Parish in St. Paul, MN.
He is very very Carmelite in spirit. Here is a page with some of his homilies: http://desertvoice.excerptsofinri.com/

Just recently he was silenced by his bishop for no just reason, but he is being totally obedient to this. I believe he is still allowed to give his awesome homilies (to which many people flock to hear), but just has been stopped for the mean time from talking on radio and things like that.

But all the people & priests in orthodox Catholics communties around where I'm at, love him. So it is just a persecution he has to undergo for the meantime. (as you know, St. John of the Cross underwent MANY persecutions, also St. Teresa, so he is following in their steps)

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Lake Elmo, MN definitely love Fr. Altier. Mother Rose there sent me a copy of 6 tapes of his on meditation that they use as part of their formation.

If I were in your situation, I would seriously consider writing him, by mail that is (as I do not believe he checks his email personally). I would ask him about being a diocesan priest with a Carmelite spirituality, as he is. And I would ask his advice on what are the good and faithful Carmelite communities for men out there.

I only have heard of 3 that are supposed to be very good, though they are for the most part, wholly contemplative communities (but I'm not 100% sure)

The Hermits of the Most Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, Lake Elmo, MN - http://www.decorcarmeli.com/Hermits.htm

Carmelite Hermits, Wyoming - http://www.carmelitemonks.org/

Carmelite Hermits, Texas - http://www.carmelitehermits.org/


I especially have heard great things about the community in Lake Elmo, right near the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. They give spiritual direction to the nuns and offer the Sacraments to them. They were recently received into the O.Carm. Order. I'm sure Fr. Altier knows about them.

Here is the page for the OCD Friars in the US - http://www.ocdfriarsvocation.com/ But again, I would write Fr. Altier to ask if he can recommend the really good and faithful to the Magisterium communities, and go from there.

And yeah, I would ask him about your concern over being a wholly contemplative Carmelite vs. whether God desires you also to be partly active too. Of course, you may already have a good director to help you discern - just throwing out some ideas.

Also, I highly recommend, once you find a place you may be interested in, to just go for a visit to see - even if just as a retreat. Sometimes, I for instance, delay too much, and just look at community profiles online and pray about it, but a visit can make all the difference.

You are in my prayers, Taylor! God bless!

PS - I HIGHLY recommend watching Teresa de Jesus when they show it on EWTN, usually around the Feast of St. Teresa, October 15. We have a thread of her here, which you've probably seen. :j It's a great film for discernment. There's a lot in there of St. John of the Cross too.

PSS - You can get those 6 talks on meditation given Fr. Altier, that the Lake Elmo OCD nuns use from Divine Mercy Tapes (651-454-8800). (they don't have a site or anything)


Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and forever!