MargaretTeresa Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Talked to Brandee earlier via Facebook. 5 days. I'm so jealous. Green with envy.
faithcecelia Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Another green eyed monster here too!!! I hope all your sorting and packing is going well.
Chiquitunga Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 [quote name='MargaretTeresa' timestamp='1313436547' post='2288519'] Talked to Brandee earlier via Facebook.[/quote] me too!! so glad I caught her! she sounded well
Jennifer Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 My prayers for you Brandee as you prepare to enter in 4 days. God Bless !!
TIWW Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 Just a question for all you Carmelite folks, in reading this thread, is this common practice for Carmelites to have an interested applicant to enter at the end of an initial visit? I had not heard about this practice. However, there is a lot I do not know about Carmel. Thanks
OnlySunshine Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 (edited) [quote name='TIWW' timestamp='1313505300' post='2289055'] Just a question for all you Carmelite folks, in reading this thread, is this common practice for Carmelites to have an interested applicant to enter at the end of an initial visit? I had not heard about this practice. However, there is a lot I do not know about Carmel. Thanks [/quote] This is actually the first time I've heard of it in these modern times, but it's not unlikely, I suppose. Most times, the visitor comes for a weekend and then applies and, if she is accepted, then returns to enter. One of my friends, Moriah ([url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showuser=8828"]In the Arms of the Lord[/url]), entered two Carmels--Buffalo and Elysburg. She is about to be clothed as a novice in Elysburg this month. She went for an extended weekend visit of 4 days and applied to each, entering Buffalo first, but discerned that Buffalo was not THE Carmel for her. In the old days, aspirants would enter directly after communicating by mail with no in-person visit beforehand. I cannot remember where I read this, but I have read it several times. I'll try to dig up my source if I can. Also, it should be noted that Brandee is not obligated to enter after her visit. Only if she discerns that she is called there will she enter. Edited August 16, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae
faithcecelia Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 Yes, it is unusual - I have only heard of it happening before when the aspirant is from another country. I think Brandee is travelling a long way though so that may be why. 1990 Carmels don't allow live-ins at all, but most 1991 like you to have at least one and time to think it through afterwards.
carmelite15 Posted August 16, 2011 Author Posted August 16, 2011 Yes I only have 4days left!!! WOW it got here so fast
FutureSister2009 Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 And your birthday is tomorrow too! How wonderful! Yes Holy Jealousy is an accurate way to describe it!
TIWW Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 (edited) This is just another rather general question, not really about Brandee's experience, but I was wondering if it is common for cloistered communities to have candidates complete psychological testing , as part of the admission process. Again, I know about Benedictines, and Poor Clares, but have little knowledge about Carmelites. This may be something that various communities treat individually, as opposed to the particular Diocese, so am just curious. I live in the state of Minnesota, and here, the Archdiocese has a counseling center, which most active and cloistered communities use as part of the admission process. It has been many years now, but I went through this process myself, before doing even a live in with the Poor Clares. We met face to face with the psychologist, took the MMPI and a few other tests, and then met again with the counselor. At that time, the men saw a priest(psychologist) and the women met with a nun who was a psychologist. That may have changed now. And Brandee, may the Holy Spirit lead you in your call to religious life, and may God shower you with His Blessings and Love as you begin this time of discernment and sharing with these Sisters. Edited August 17, 2011 by TIWW
OnlySunshine Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 [quote name='TIWW' timestamp='1313624367' post='2290188'] This is just another rather general question, not really about Brandee's experience, but I was wondering if it is common for cloistered communities to have candidates complete psychological testing , as part of the admission process. Again, I know about Benedictines, and Poor Clares, but have little knowledge about Carmelites. This may be something that various communities treat individually, as opposed to the particular Diocese, so am just curious. I live in the state of Minnesota, and here, the Archdiocese has a counseling center, which most active and cloistered communities use as part of the admission process. It has been many years now, but I went through this process myself, before doing even a live in with the Poor Clares. We met face to face with the psychologist, took the MMPI and a few other tests, and then met again with the counselor. At that time, the mes saw a priest and the women met with a nun who was a psychologist. That may have changed now. And Brandee, may the Holy Spirit lead you in your call to religious life, and may God shower you with His Blessings and Love as you begin this time of discernment and sharing with these Sisters. [/quote] I've never formally discerned with a cloistered order, but my friend, who entered two Carmelite monasteries (both under the 1990 Constitutions) did not receive psychological testing either time. She had to get a physical from her doctor, an x-ray of her lungs to prove she did not have tuberculosis, and a recommendation from her spiritual director in order to enter.
Chiquitunga Posted August 18, 2011 Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1313625169' post='2290195'] I've never formally discerned with a cloistered order, but my friend, who entered two Carmelite monasteries (both under the 1990 Constitutions) did not receive psychological testing either time. She had to get a physical from her doctor, an x-ray of her lungs to prove she did not have tuberculosis, and a recommendation from her spiritual director in order to enter. [/quote] I know of some 1990 Carmels that do, and some that don't; depends on the community .. probably the same with all Carmels Brandee, 3 days!! or pretty much 2!!
OnlySunshine Posted August 18, 2011 Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1313639896' post='2290400'] I know of some 1990 Carmels that do, and some that don't; depends on the community .. probably the same with all Carmels Brandee, 3 days!! or pretty much 2!! [/quote] This is very true. As far as I know - unless things have changed - the Elysburg and Buffalo Carmelite Monasteries do not do psychiatric testing before aspirancy.
TIWW Posted August 18, 2011 Posted August 18, 2011 Before going to do my live-in with the Poor Clares, I didn't really understand the reasoning behind the Psychological screening, but it soon became clear. The purpose of course is to pick up on people who might have glaring issues with mental health, maturity, sexuality and family dysfunction. Not that any of these would prevent that person from entering, but there would be a baseline from which the entrant and the community would have to work with. For example, anyone unstable mentally could create havoc in an environment of prayer and quiet. Better to know beforehand. Not only must you be able to live the life giving your all, but you must be able to fit into the tight knit group that already is melded together as a unit. Some personality types, no matter how well meaning they may be, can not adapt. When living in a small, enclosed, cloistered, contemplative community, every single little thing affects the whole of the group. For example, you get to know who is coming into prayer, just by the sound of their walk, or the little noises that were made. One of the sisters had squeaky shoes, which interrupted prayer whenever she walked. One sister had keys for the house and jingled when she was around. I have many stories, some funny and some rather sad, but you get the idea.
Chiquitunga Posted August 18, 2011 Posted August 18, 2011 [size=5][font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Happy[/i][/font][/size][color=#DAA520][size=5][font=times new roman,times,serif][i] [u]Golden[/u][/i][/font][/size][/color] [size=5][font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Birthday, Brandee!!![/i][/font][/size] [i][font=times new roman,times,serif](found this picture online from Cristo Rey)[/font][/i] [img]http://i53.tinypic.com/era0de.jpg[/img]
FutureSister2009 Posted August 19, 2011 Posted August 19, 2011 Tomorrow is a special day Brandee! Enjoy it! I hope we hear from you before you officially enter! God Bless!
Lisa Posted August 19, 2011 Posted August 19, 2011 ah, what a beautiful love story!!!!! Brandee, you go with our prayers!!!!! Many blessings and may you find true joy in this community.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now