I Talked To Reverend Mother...

[carmelite15]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1289607500' post='2186780']
When I started discernment; religious life was all new to me. I had a profound conversion experience that led me to research the religious life, this would lead me to the Catholic faith. At first, not knowing anything at all about this I was just looking into various communities for a long time. I enjoyed reading vocation stories of other's who were discerning. I didn't know what I was looking for; I was just looking. Then, when I finally learned about the Carmelites, that was it. I really don't know how to describe it but I just knew not to look elsewhere and since I have discovered the Carmelites I have never had a thought of another Order. This journey has all been His work of grace in my life, with Our Blessed Mother to help me say yes. To have Our Blessed Mother to help me has been a wonderful blessing. As She leads you closer to Her Son, you fall more in love with Him and everything seems to become clear.
[/quote]


All I can say is WOW you speak like a Carmelite saint! What kind of advise you can give someone like me whos not even at your level. Can you give me any advise?

[In The Arms of The Lord]

[quote name='LilyofSaintMaria' timestamp='1289611702' post='2186790']
Your words were just what I needed right now, so thank you! Many blessings and prayers on your upcoming entrance!
[/quote]

Your very welcome! I'm happy it was helpful for you.

[quote name='carmelite15' timestamp='1289614876' post='2186806']
All I can say is WOW you speak like a Carmelite saint! What kind of advise you can give someone like me whos not even at your level. Can you give me any advise?
[/quote]

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Hello Brandee! When I look back to when I had my conversion experience, I seem to remember the most that all that has happend then until this moment has been supported by His grace alone; everything has been His work. It's interesting to mention, because when I have people say to me how they are proud of me, this quickly comes to mind. This is very important to remember because then we are constantly reminded how much we are in need of His grace, and without Him we will not be capable of anything good. This helps us to be humble and always thankful. Humble because when we are lacking in virtue, we know we must ask for His grace to help because we are not able to do this on our own, and thankful because when we see the good in us and in what we do we know to thank Him for His mercy and His work in us. This helps us to trust in Him more and be more forgetful of self; knowing how much we need Him. Also to entrust yourself to Our Blessed Mother and imitate Her. I don't think there is a better example to follow for humilty, simplicity, trust, and surrender to His will. A Carmelite nun once told me that life in Carmel is the closest we will get to imitating the life of Our Blessed Mother. This brings to mind how "She pondered all these things in Her heart." She constantly Adored Jesus, and in Carmel we do this also. The Carmelite Order belongs to Her. Her love for Our Lord and for the accomplishment of His will is so much... when we go to Her, she brings us closer to Jesus and helps us to say yes. Pray also for Our Lord to give you a strong love in your heart so that you may persevere through everything and journey on towards Him.

Edited November 13, 2010 by In The Arms of The Lord

[holly.o]

[quote name='In The Arms of The Lord' timestamp='1289688652' post='2186954']
Praised be Jesus Christ!

Hello Brandee! When I look back to when I had my conversion experience, I seem to remember the most that all that has happend then until this moment has been supported by His grace alone; everything has been His work. It's interesting to mention, because when I have people say to me how they are proud of me, this quickly comes to mind. This is very important to remember because then we are constantly reminded how much we are in need of His grace, and without Him we will not be capable of anything good. This helps us to be humble and always thankful. Humble because when we are lacking in virtue, we know we must ask for His grace to help because we are not able to do this on our own, and thankful because when we see the good in us and in what we do we know to thank Him for His mercy and His work in us. This helps us to trust in Him more and be more forgetful of self; knowing how much we need Him. Also to entrust yourself to Our Blessed Mother and imitate Her. I don't think there is a better example to follow for humilty, simplicity, trust, and surrender to His will. A Carmelite nun once told me that life in Carmel is the closest we will get to imitating the life of Our Blessed Mother. This brings to mind how "She pondered all these things in Her heart." She constantly Adored Jesus, and in Carmel we do this also. The Carmelite Order belongs to Her. Her love for Our Lord and for the accomplishment of His will is so much... when we go to Her, she brings us closer to Jesus and helps us to say yes. Pray also for Our Lord to give you a strong love in your heart so that you may persevere through everything and journey on towards Him.
[/quote]


Really, what a beautiful testament to God's love! All is indeed grace...

[OnlySunshine]

Please pray for Moriah. Her brother posted on her Facebook that she is getting ready be clothed as a novice next month (August) along with the other postulants!!!

[FutureSister2009]

Congratulations! That's exciting! And what a beautiful day to enter, on Our Lady of Guadaluape (I still I can't spell that). That's what I want to do, enter on a Marian Feast Day. Doesn't matter which one it is.

Congratulations! That's exciting! And what a beautiful day to enter, on Our Lady of Guadaluape (I still I can't spell that). That's what I want to do, enter on a Marian Feast Day. Doesn't matter which one it is.

[Sarah147]

"In the arms..." has such a beautiful soul.

Edited July 4, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Clare~Therese]

Praised be God!
That's wonderful!

[Yaatee]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1309788948' post='2262959']
Congratulations! That's exciting! And what a beautiful day to enter, on Our Lady of Guadaluape (I still I can't spell that). That's what I want to do, enter on a Marian Feast Day. Doesn't matter which one it is.

Congratulations! That's exciting! And what a beautiful day to enter, on Our Lady of Guadaluape (I still I can't spell that). That's what I want to do, enter on a Marian Feast Day. Doesn't matter which one it is.
[/quote]

Easier than you think.

Guad-a-lupe.


But, about Elysburg (and Valparaiso), do they sing the Latin mass? Have a Tridentine mass? I know that their liturgy is special and not commonly seen in ODC monasteries.

They observe the classic Carmelite enclosure. What about the classic Carmelite penance? The discipline? Do they eat meat, or fast perpetually?

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Yaatee' timestamp='1309877172' post='2263243']
Easier than you think.

Guad-a-lupe.


But, about Elysburg (and Valparaiso), do they sing the Latin mass? Have a Tridentine mass? I know that their liturgy is special and not commonly seen in ODC monasteries.

They observe the classic Carmelite enclosure. What about the classic Carmelite penance? The discipline? Do they eat meat, or fast perpetually?
[/quote]

From what Moriah told me, they are very strict observance. They have the Latin Mass exclusively which I believe is celebrated by the FSSP. I believe they still practice the discipline and penance. I know Valparaiso does and Elysburg is a foundation from Valparaiso. They have the perpetual fast from meat and have retained the full Carmelite rule. They still eat fish on occasion.

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1309888863' post='2263284']
From what Moriah told me, they are very strict observance. They have the Latin Mass exclusively which I believe is celebrated by the FSSP. I believe they still practice the discipline and penance. I know Valparaiso does and Elysburg is a foundation from Valparaiso. They have the perpetual fast from meat and have retained the full Carmelite rule. They still eat fish on occasion.
[/quote]



The discipline and penance is unusual as they are 1991 as far as I can tell, and they considered iy innappropriate for the modern world.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1309902558' post='2263356']
The discipline and penance is unusual as they are 1991 as far as I can tell, and they considered iy innappropriate for the modern world.
[/quote]

They actually follow the 1990 Constitutions (the stricter version). They have the extra thick grille and do not allow pictures of the Sisters' faces except by their family members. Even then, Moriah told me that the family is requested not to share the pictures with the public. The only time they were seen was during the blessing of the monastery when it first opened.

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1309909675' post='2263390']
They actually follow the 1990 Constitutions (the stricter version). They have the extra thick grille and do not allow pictures of the Sisters' faces except by their family members. Even then, Moriah told me that the family is requested not to share the pictures with the public. The only time they were seen was during the blessing of the monastery when it first opened.
[/quote]



Ia it Elysburg? I must be going barmy as I'm sure I saw that was 1991 earlier, and now I can't find them on the Carmelite website at all!!


One thing though, its not so much a stricter constitutions and a more lax one, just 2 very different sets. Both can be kept strictly or more lax, but I'll keep that for another thread I have in mind when less tired.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1309910670' post='2263398']
Ia it Elysburg? I must be going barmy as I'm sure I saw that was 1991 earlier, and now I can't find them on the Carmelite website at all!!


One thing though, its not so much a stricter constitutions and a more lax one, just 2 very different sets. Both can be kept strictly or more lax, but I'll keep that for another thread I have in mind when less tired.
[/quote]

I believe you are thinking of the old Elysburg. The Sisters that formerly inhabited the monastery moved to Danville, PA to merge with another Carmelite community. Valparaiso saw the opportunity to acquire the monastery and make a foundation which they desperately needed because, at the time, they had 31 nuns! As you probably know, St. Teresa of Avila only wanted 21 nuns maximum in her houses so as to create a tight family unit. When the new nuns moved in, renovations were done, especially in the chapel so as to accommodate the Latin Mass and to replace the lighter grille with the thick grille.

And, I do agree with you about the Constitutions. I worded that badly. An older member here who no longer posts, MargaretClare, wrote about the various differences in the Constitutions. There is no "set in stone" order of how things are to be run. It's just a general guideline for Carmels. There is a Carmelite monastery in Denmark, WI who uses the 1991 Constitutions that is pretty strict in their observance, too. I was in touch with them for a time and found them charming.

[url="http://www.ccacarmels.org/ElysburgCarmel.html"]The old Elysburg monastery[/url]

[url="http://www.lasvegasmariancenter.com/carmel.htm"]New Elysburg Foundation[/url]

[url="http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/09/solemn-mass-and-enclosure-at-elysburg.html"]Mass Celebrated by FSSP at Elysburg[/url]

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=58540"]Reference thread about Constitutions of Carmelites (old thread)[/url]

Edited July 6, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1309911524' post='2263404']
I believe you are thinking of the old Elysburg. The Sisters that formerly inhabited the monastery moved to Danville, PA to merge with another Carmelite community. Valparaiso saw the opportunity to acquire the monastery and make a foundation which they desperately needed because, at the time, they had 31 nuns! As you probably know, St. Teresa of Avila only wanted 21 nuns maximum in her houses so as to create a tight family unit. When the new nuns moved in, renovations were done, especially in the chapel so as to accommodate the Latin Mass and to replace the lighter grille with the thick grille.

And, I do agree with you about the Constitutions. I worded that badly. An older member here who no longer posts, MargaretClare, wrote about the various differences in the Constitutions. There is no "set in stone" order of how things are to be run. It's just a general guideline for Carmels. There is a Carmelite monastery in Denmark, WI who uses the 1991 Constitutions that is pretty strict in their observance, too. I was in touch with them for a time and found them charming.

[url="http://www.ccacarmels.org/ElysburgCarmel.html"]The old Elysburg monastery[/url]

[url="http://www.lasvegasmariancenter.com/carmel.htm"]New Elysburg Foundation[/url]

[url="http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/09/solemn-mass-and-enclosure-at-elysburg.html"]Mass Celebrated by FSSP at Elysburg[/url]

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=58540"]Reference thread about Constitutions of Carmelites (old thread)[/url]
[/quote]

g
Ah, I hadn't heard of this. Thanks for settling my poor, easily confused mind at rest!


Yes I do have a thread in mind to write but need to think it through. Anyways, prayers for this young novice-to-be

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1309912009' post='2263407']
g
Ah, I hadn't heard of this. Thanks for settling my poor, easily confused mind at rest!


Yes I do have a thread in mind to write but need to think it through. Anyways, prayers for this young novice-to-be
[/quote]

No problem! I actually learned about the open house first from MargaretClare as she and another Phatmasser were in attendance. The other Phatmasser was TotusTuusMaria who entered the Carmel in Brooklyn, NY I believe in December 2010. Moriah discovered the Elysburg Carmel through PM, I believe, and got in touch with Mother Prioress and made a visit for 4 days. She had previously entered the Carmel in Buffalo, NY but after a few months, it became quite clear that God was calling her elsewhere. She told me that she had never felt so at home in a monastery than she did in Elysburg. I am thrilled that she is becoming a novice. She always wrote so beautifully--like a Carmelite saint. It was a great privilege and blessing to know her and become her friend.

Edited July 6, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[Yaatee]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1309912279' post='2263410']
No problem! I actually learned about the open house first from MargaretClare as she and another Phatmasser were in attendance. The other Phatmasser was TotusTuusMaria who entered the Carmel in Brooklyn, NY I believe in December 2010. Moriah discovered the Elysburg Carmel through PM, I believe, and got in touch with Mother Prioress and made a visit for 4 days. She had previously entered the Carmel in Buffalo, NY but after a few months, it became quite clear that God was calling her elsewhere. She told me that she had never felt so at home in a monastery than she did in Elysburg. I am thrilled that she is becoming a novice. She always wrote so beautifully--like a Carmelite saint. It was a great privilege and blessing to know her and become her friend.

[/quote]

Any update on TotusTuusMaria?

If those interested in discussions about Carmel and the constitutions search MargaretClare's posts, they will find a wealth of Information. Also LaudemGloriae (I think) first 'name' is Laudem, anyway.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Yaatee

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Yaatee' timestamp='1309914466' post='2263433']
Any update on TotusTuusMaria?

If those interested in discussions about Carmel and the constitutions search MargaretClare's posts, they will find a wealth of Information. Also LaudemGloriae (I think) first 'name' is Laudem, anyway.
[/quote]

Unfortunately, I have no update on TTM. She sent me a mass email in November 2010 telling everyone of her acceptance of application and would be entering in December. I think she entered the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Brooklyn is a 1990 Carmel and, therefore, does not keep a blog or newsletter about their events so no one, except her family, would know if she was getting clothed this year.

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1309761405' post='2262903']
Please pray for Moriah. Her brother posted on her Facebook that she is getting ready be clothed as a novice next month (August) along with the other postulants!!!
[/quote]

Wow, great! I wonder what she'll be named. Hey, and do you know, did her brother come into the Church too? I know her family isn't Catholic and she converted on her own. No doubt her being in Carmel might change that though

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1309924674' post='2263498']
Wow, great! I wonder what she'll be named. Hey, and do you know, did her brother come into the Church too? I know her family isn't Catholic and she converted on her own. No doubt her being in Carmel might change that though
[/quote]

LOL, I got it wrong. Her dad posted her good news, not her brother. I still believe that her family is non-Catholic but her parents and siblings seem to be very supportive of her vocation regardless.

As for her name, no doubt the title will include "of the Sacred Heart." It's her favorite devotion. I don't remember what her favorite saint was. The thing about this Carmel is that Reverend Mother ultimately chooses the name for the new novice.

[Chiquitunga]

Eeeee!!! .. I learned Moriah's new name!! .. at least the beginning, not the title. I will wait until it's officially announced though. I think she's being clothed tomorrow, the Feast of St. Bartholomew - the day this Carmel was dedicated two years ago. I'm so happy for her! She's such an angel. Her new name is sweet .. not what I was guessing.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Chiquitunga