vee Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Ive only made it to page 29 but must share it with anyone else on here who hasnt read it yet. The book My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun is a vocational goldmine I am finding, and not just for Carmel but for any Order. It deals with discernment, dating, disappointment, and even what to include in a letter to a Community. Here is an excerpt, a letter from a prioress, that I found very helpful and hope others will too. Its on page 27-28 [quote]Not long after his visit I received this letter from the Prioress: "My dear Child: "Your good confessor, Reverend Father FitzGerald, has told me of your desire to be a Carmelite. . . . ". . . first of all let me say, don't worry. When the Good God gives a vocation He gives all the graces and helps necessary to follow it, enabling the soul to triumph over all obstacles. If the obstacles prove insurmountable, that is sufficient evidence that the soul's desire is not inspired by Our Lord. So cultivate a great spirit of confidence in God and perfect abandonment to His will, and pray fervently and constantly for the accomplishment of His will in you. . . . Never forget that He is omnipotent. "Write and tell me about your vocation—how long you have desired to be a religious and why you wish to be a Carmelite, your age, education, employment, etc. As the life of a Carmelite is one of prayer and penance, good health is essential for admis sion. .. . "In the meantime, we shall pray for you and trust that you will give us a little share in your good prayers. You will have a place in the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which we are now making. . . . May this dear Lady and Mother take you under her protection and make your love for Jesus grow more ardent every day. Very sincerely yours in the Sacred Heart, Teresa of Jesus, D.C.u." [/quote] The book is available to read online here [url="http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?view=text;size=100;id=mdp.39015026764996;page=root;seq=7"]http://babel.hathitr...page=root;seq=7[/url] A big [size="5"]thank you[/size] to truthfinder for suggesting the book to me and for finding the link!
LadyOfSorrows Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 I love this book! I found it in our university library, and you're right, it's a real gem! Unfortunately, I was only half-way through and we had to return our books before we left for home, but with this link I can start where I left off! Thanks, Vee!
teresitacarmel Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Wow, thanks SO much for posting the link!!! I've been wanting to read this sooooo much! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/clap2.gif[/img]
dominicansoul Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 i am proud to say I own an original copy of the first publication of this book... and, Vee, you're right...it inspired me sooo much when I was discerning... ...too bad I was discerning Carmel at the time and not Dominicans... hahahahhaha anyway, its sweet that it's on-line! It is gold!
Amy G. Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 [quote name='vee8' timestamp='1294027467' post='2196064'] Ive only made it to page 29 but must share it with anyone else on here who hasnt read it yet. The book My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun is a vocational goldmine I am finding, and not just for Carmel but for any Order. It deals with discernment, dating, disappointment, and even what to include in a letter to a Community. Here is an excerpt, a letter from a prioress, that I found very helpful and hope others will too. Its on page 27-28 The book is available to read online here [url="http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?view=text;size=100;id=mdp.39015026764996;page=root;seq=7"]http://babel.hathitr...page=root;seq=7[/url] A big [size="5"]thank you[/size] to truthfinder for suggesting the book to me and for finding the link! [/quote] Wow I'm so excited that this book is online! Thanks for posting the link! I visited a Carmelite convent in Elysburg, PA, for a couple days this past September (for Our Lady's birthday!!). My Beloved was one of three books that Reverend Mother lent me...the other two were The Way of Perfection and a book called Let Him Do It about Maravillas de Jesus, O.C.D. (who I had never heard of before, but the story of her life is really amazing). I remember sitting by a pond on the grounds of the convent reading My Beloved! I loved the part I read, but I didn't have a chance to finish it...I was so busy that month getting ready to leave for school. (Probably a bad excuse!) Can't wait to finish it!
tnavarro61 Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 It's available in my country. http://cgi.ebay.ph/My-Beloved-Story-Carmelite-Nun-/260713823929?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_211&hash=item3cb3c13eb9#ht_2337wt_1139 I could buy it here and if you gals want the book, I'll be selling it. But if i liked it, it would be at my shelf. So far i think it's good. I have Carmelite books here. I think that book should belong to the club.
vee Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 An excerpt from page 38. [quote]Many excellent directors of souls insist on making a vocation "prospect" wait. They feel that difficulties should be placed in the aspirant's path to determine his persevering qualities, as well as his faith and docility in answering God's call. [/quote] Oh wow have I ever noticed this! And its not just an SD who does so either, as Ive noticed Communities do it and so does God. In the Bible God says "because you are neither hot nor cold I will spit you out of my mouth!" He wants to make sure we are ON FIRE before He admits us into His dwellings. As I read somewhere in a comment on that passage what parent wants a listless child, or what suitor wants a passionless tepid lover? Or to put it in emotes God wants you to be for Him not
vee Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1294041915' post='2196121'] i am proud to say I own an original copy of the first publication of this book... [/quote] Must. not. make. age related. comment [quote name='Amy G.' timestamp='1294064405' post='2196138'] Wow I'm so excited that this book is online! Thanks for posting the link! I visited a Carmelite convent in Elysburg, PA, for a couple days this past September (for Our Lady's birthday!!). My Beloved was one of three books that Reverend Mother lent me...the other two were The Way of Perfection and a book called Let Him Do It about Maravillas de Jesus, O.C.D. (who I had never heard of before, but the story of her life is really amazing). I remember sitting by a pond on the grounds of the convent reading My Beloved! I loved the part I read, but I didn't have a chance to finish it...I was so busy that month getting ready to leave for school. (Probably a bad excuse!) Can't wait to finish it! [/quote] Let Him Do It... Im going to look into that one! I like hearing about which books Communities ask or suggest someone to read. Walled About With God has been suggested to me (but I have yet to read) as well as the Teresa of the Andes diary which Ive read most of, and anything by Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity which Ive also started to read. The last two books Ive been working at for months because I can only do a page or so at a time. [quote name='tnavarro61' timestamp='1294064921' post='2196142'] So far i think it's good. I have Carmelite books here. I think that book should belong to the club. [/quote] I think it should too.
tnavarro61 Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 and I bid Teresa of Avila's autobiography together with this one at ebay.. I am really Carmelite at heart, but I won't enter a Carmelite order!
holly.o Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 [quote name='tnavarro61' timestamp='1294144547' post='2196499'] I am really Carmelite at heart, but I won't enter a Carmelite order! [/quote] Yeah, just try saying "I won't" anything to God and see what happens
vee Posted January 4, 2011 Author Posted January 4, 2011 [quote name='tnavarro61' timestamp='1294144547' post='2196499'] and I bid Teresa of Avila's autobiography together with this one at ebay.. I am really Carmelite at heart, but I won't enter a Carmelite order! [/quote] [quote name='holly.o' timestamp='1294154317' post='2196537'] Yeah, just try saying "I won't" anything to God and see what happens [/quote] uh huh
krissylou Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 [quote name='tnavarro61' timestamp='1294185735' post='2196700'] [/quote] Do you prefer O.Carm. or OCD? :deal: (let's just pretend that one still exists, okay???)
tnavarro61 Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 [quote name='krissylou' timestamp='1294531262' post='2197890'] Do you prefer O.Carm. or OCD? :deal: (let's just pretend that one still exists, okay???) [/quote] I prefer IVE.
tnavarro61 Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) I am reading this one right now. I am quite convinced that I have to stop my academic-religious reading, and proceed to a more spiritual reading. Hmmm.. The interior Castle, The Way of Perfection and Dark Night of The Soul is next in line. I like how Mother Catherine narrates her vocation to Carmel... I have read Thomas Merton's too. Edited January 18, 2011 by tnavarro61
HopefulBride Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 [quote name='tnavarro61' timestamp='1295360997' post='2201384'] I am reading this one right now. I am quite convinced that I have to stop my academic-religious reading, and proceed to a more spiritual reading. Hmmm.. The interior Castle, The Way of Perfection and Dark Night of The Soul is next in line. I like how Mother Catherine narrates her vocation to Carmel... I have read Thomas Merton's too. [/quote] Oh I am reading the way of perfection right now and I just looooove it.
vee Posted January 18, 2011 Author Posted January 18, 2011 [quote name='tnavarro61' timestamp='1295360997' post='2201384'] I am reading this one right now. I am quite convinced that I have to stop my academic-religious reading, and proceed to a more spiritual reading. Hmmm.. The interior Castle, The Way of Perfection and Dark Night of The Soul is next in line. I like how Mother Catherine narrates her vocation to Carmel... I have read Thomas Merton's too. [/quote] I would mention what you are reading and what you would like to read to your SD if you havent already. Not that you need permission but rather your SD may suggest you to look for or focus on certain things as you read. For example once my SD told me, when I was reading Story of a Soul, to not focus on Carmel but instead on how Therese prays. My own two cents, for the three books you listed, would be to read the Way of Perfection first.
Chiquitunga Posted January 19, 2011 Posted January 19, 2011 (edited) [quote name='vee8' timestamp='1294027467' post='2196064']The book is available to read online here [url="http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?view=text;size=100;id=mdp.39015026764996;page=root;seq=7"]http://babel.hathitr...page=root;seq=7[/url] A big [size="5"]thank you[/size] to truthfinder for suggesting the book to me and for finding the link! [/quote] Wow! This is great to see this is available online here!! [i]My Beloved[/i] was the first book I read on Carmel and I love it dearly! need to read it again! God reward you for posting this, vee and truth[b]finder[/b] for[b] finding[/b] it! okay, corny joke .. [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1294041915' post='2196121'] i am proud to say I own an original copy of the first publication of this book... [/quote] hey ds, just wondering .. so most of the pictures in the hardcover edition are [url="http://gloria.tv/?media=50199"][b]here[/b][/url] I believe .. but I know I saw one somewhere of Mother Catherine Thomas in the parlor behind the grille with her black veil completely over her face. Was I dreaming this or something, lol .. or is it in there? I can't find it on this gloria site nor anywhere else. Thanks! I have the paperback [quote name='she_who_is_not' timestamp='1294077943' post='2196181'] This book needs to be reprinted. [/quote] A priest once told me he has a friend trying to get it republished .. I wouldn't be surprised if someplace like Ignatius Press comes out with it again soon [quote name='Amy G.' timestamp='1294064405' post='2196138'] Wow I'm so excited that this book is online! Thanks for posting the link! I visited a Carmelite convent in Elysburg, PA, for a couple days this past September (for Our Lady's birthday!!). My Beloved was one of three books that Reverend Mother lent me...the other two were The Way of Perfection and a book called Let Him Do It about Maravillas de Jesus, O.C.D. (who I had never heard of before, but the story of her life is really amazing). I remember sitting by a pond on the grounds of the convent reading My Beloved! I loved the part I read, but I didn't have a chance to finish it...I was so busy that month getting ready to leave for school. (Probably a bad excuse!) Can't wait to finish it! [/quote] [i]Let Him Do It[/i] is great!! This book needs to be reprinted again too. The only ones I can find for sale online now are [url="http://www.amazon.com/Let-Life-Maravillas-Jesus-C-D/dp/B001UHS7VG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295405493&sr=8-1"]pretty high[/url]. Edited January 19, 2011 by Chiquitunga
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