the171 Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 [quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1319417753' post='2325932'] Lafayette is under the 1991s. But yeah, as I wrote in my old thread on the topic, everything really comes down to the particular community in finding a good Carmel, and especially of course God's will ..where [i]He [/i]wants you Everything you have written about Lafayette sounds wonderful!! And I'm still super psyched they continue with the wedding dresses down there. Yes!!! [/quote] If they're 1991, they seem VERY 1990.
MarysLittleFlower Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) [quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1319325406' post='2325331'] I know that it is a somewhat common belief that cloistered convents are more traditional. For those of you who have been to Mass at a convent like this or have even been a live-in or visited, is that the case? What are the Masses like that you have encountered at cloistered monasteries? I like to think I am quite conservative on matters of the liturgy (veiling, kneeling for Communion, Communion on the tongue, a huge fan of the Latin Mass, etc.) But I do believe the Novus Ordo is valid, and I most definitely do not hate on non-veilers and people who do not receive kneeling or on the tongue. These things are just my personal choices to show reverence for my Beloved. As these are my choices to show reverence, I come back to wondering about what Masses are like at cloistered convents. I have contacted the [url="http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/index.htm"]Tridentine Carmelites[/url], but they seemed less than inviting and quite condescending (almost) to how young I am (I am only 13, and I can't stand it when people tell me that I'm so young and that I have time, of course the nuns didn't say that, but I caught on to what they were saying). I have since come in contact with an amazing Mother Superior, and I think I may be called to this convent. I am planning on visiting and going to Mass there soon, and I can't wait. Claire [/quote] I am much like you regarding the Latin Mass, veiling, etc... I think there are some communities that are loyal to Rome and have the Latin Mass I remember my (FSSP) priest mentioning they exist. A friend of mine visited one like this and loved it. I don't think you are too young to discern that is great that you are discerning! God bless edit: I don't know, but I heard somewhere that the Carmelite order that you linked is actually not in communion with Rome... I hope that is not the case! Perhaps you could find out. Even if this is true, there are other traditional orders out there with the Latin Mass. here's a thread that lists some of them: [url="http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=606430"]http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=606430[/url] Edited October 25, 2011 by MarysLittleFlower
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 [quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1319509686' post='2326668'] I am much like you regarding the Latin Mass, veiling, etc... I think there are some communities that are loyal to Rome and have the Latin Mass I remember my (FSSP) priest mentioning they exist. A friend of mine visited one like this and loved it. I don't think you are too young to discern that is great that you are discerning! God bless edit: I don't know, but I heard somewhere that the Carmelite order that you linked is actually not in communion with Rome... I hope that is not the case! Perhaps you could find out. Even if this is true, there are other traditional orders out there with the Latin Mass. here's a thread that lists some of them: [url="http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=606430"]http://forums.cathol...ad.php?t=606430[/url] [/quote] I did not like that Carmelite order anyway after the response I got from them. I have heard that within the past three days that they are not loyal to Rome, wow. Thank you for believing that I am not too young to be looking into this. St. Therese entered the convent at 15 and she knew for a long time that this was her calling. God chooses to reveal one's vocation to them at different times.
Nunsense Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 [quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1319510352' post='2326681'] I did not like that Carmelite order anyway after the response I got from them. I have heard that within the past three days that they are not loyal to Rome, wow. Thank you for believing that I am not too young to be looking into this. St. Therese entered the convent at 15 and she knew for a long time that this was her calling. God chooses to reveal one's vocation to them at different times. [/quote] Being told you are too young is a bit like being told you are too old... as one nun told a friend of mine, you are never too old to pray. And I think the same could be said about being young. I think a lot of people worry about younger vocations because they don't want to see them make a possible mistake, but God uses all things for our good, and there is no way in life to avoid mistakes - we have to make our own and learn from them. Who knows what is mistake anyway except the person who does it - and then only in hindsight. Therese's sister Leonie had a hard time of her vocation but was it a mistake for her to enter and leave so many times? She eventually found her home with the Visitation and lived a life dedicated to God. Was her gift any less than that of Therese who entered young and died a saint? I don't think God sees it that way. Didn't Jesus say that the widow had given more than anyone else because she gave her mite - all that she had. Each of us can only give our own mite, and for some that will be a lot and for some a little -- as long as it is the best we can give, then God accepts them all the same. Nothing stops the young from discerning as well as us seniors... God be with you.
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 [quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1319510781' post='2326689'] Being told you are too young is a bit like being told you are too old... as one nun told a friend of mine, you are never too old to pray. And I think the same could be said about being young. I think a lot of people worry about younger vocations because they don't want to see them make a possible mistake, but God uses all things for our good, and there is no way in life to avoid mistakes - we have to make our own and learn from them. Who knows what is mistake anyway except the person who does it - and then only in hindsight. Therese's sister Leonie had a hard time of her vocation but was it a mistake for her to enter and leave so many times? She eventually found her home with the Visitation and lived a life dedicated to God. Was her gift any less than that of Therese who entered young and died a saint? I don't think God sees it that way. Didn't Jesus say that the widow had given more than anyone else because she gave her mite - all that she had. Each of us can only give our own mite, and for some that will be a lot and for some a little -- as long as it is the best we can give, then God accepts them all the same. Nothing stops the young from discerning as well as us seniors... God be with you. [/quote] Thank you so much for the kind words. That is so true about Leonie and Therese and about what that nun said. God chooses us at different times, and it will not be that same for everyone, and Therese and Leonie prove that even for sisters it can be so different.
Chiquitunga Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 [quote name='MarysLittleFlower' timestamp='1319509686' post='2326668']I am much like you regarding the Latin Mass, veiling, etc... I think there are some communities that are loyal to Rome and have the Latin Mass I remember my (FSSP) priest mentioning they exist.[/quote] Yep, there are Valparaiso, NE - [url="https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfJesusMaryJosephValparaisoNE"]https://picasaweb.go...ephValparaisoNE[/url] Elysburg, PA - [url="https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfJesusMaryJosephElysburgPA"]https://picasaweb.go...osephElysburgPA[/url] [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/104068-carmelite-nuns-in-elysburg-pa/"]http://www.phatmass....in-elysburg-pa/[/url] [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/114318-carmelite-nuns-elysburg/"]http://www.phatmass....-nuns-elysburg/[/url] <-- FutureCarmelite, I think you may especially appreciate this thread (and the email posted there is not theirs, but the former community that was there, just to let you know)
beatitude Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 I agree with what Nunsense writes. You may enter the monastery very young, at their minimum age. I've met sisters who did, and who are now in their eighties, having spent almost all their lives as nuns. This is what is right for some people. Not for others. It wouldn't have been right for me, as all our stories are different. Don't get irritated with nuns who suggest that you have time. See it as a chance to learn patience and humility instead. (A very Carmelite thing to do!) I doubt that the sisters are trying to discourage you from trying your vocation in the monastery one day, just pointing out that at thirteen, there are other things that need your attention now (things that are just as important to your vocation in life). For example, how do you pray? When I was your age I used to spend a long time each day in prayer. That habit left me as I got older (or I left it...). I wish now that I had done all I could to keep it, even on exam days or days when I had a ton of stuff to do. Daily rosary? Silent contemplative prayer? Bible reading? Every day, make time for them. Keep your prayer as quiet as possible. Don't make a big fuss over it. Maybe set your alarm clock for an hour before you would usually wake, and pray then, with no one knowing. Then last thing at night before you sleep. You can't enter a monastery until you're older, as most of them won't take entrants younger than seventeen or eighteen, but praying deeply is something you can do now. So is study. So is being a good daughter or sibling. Put your whole heart into everything you do, and make it a prayer - a habit that you will need in the monastery. And remember the old saying: "Today is a gift - that's why they call it the present." Thank God for that.
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 That is wonderful advice. Thank you so much!!
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 [quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1319513333' post='2326713'] Yep, there are Valparaiso, NE - [url="https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfJesusMaryJosephValparaisoNE"]https://picasaweb.go...ephValparaisoNE[/url] Elysburg, PA - [url="https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfJesusMaryJosephElysburgPA"]https://picasaweb.go...osephElysburgPA[/url] [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/104068-carmelite-nuns-in-elysburg-pa/"]http://www.phatmass....in-elysburg-pa/[/url] [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/114318-carmelite-nuns-elysburg/"]http://www.phatmass....-nuns-elysburg/[/url] <-- FutureCarmelite, I think you may especially appreciate this thread (and the email posted there is not theirs, but the former community that was there, just to let you know) [/quote] Thanks, that was really good.
Chiquitunga Posted October 26, 2011 Posted October 26, 2011 [quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1319541600' post='2326774'] Thanks, that was really good. [/quote] Sure thing And here's ceceliatherese's thread on her visit .. [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/114917-what-to-expect-on-a-visit-to-carmel/page__p__2289544#entry2289544"]http://www.phatmass....44#entry2289544[/url]
Queen'sDaughter Posted October 27, 2011 Posted October 27, 2011 One of my friends from church just entered the Valaparasio Carmel! It is absolutely bursting with vocations, and were I to go carmelite it is where I would go first. She is so happy, and I am so happy for her! I do miss her though. She sang right beside me during Mass, and I miss her voice in my ear. We even left her music books were she left them, because we just can't bear to remove them yet. She entered as soon as she turned eighteen and graduated high school, so I think that would be considered a young vocation nowadays. I believe that Valaparasio accepts postulants as young as seventeen, but they must have had at least two years of work experience. My God bless and reward all you younger discerners. (I say from my vast experience of twenty-one years).
i<3franciscans Posted October 27, 2011 Posted October 27, 2011 [quote name='Queen'sDaughter' timestamp='1319744150' post='2327822'] I do miss her though. She sang right beside me during Mass, and I miss her voice in my ear. We even left her music books were she left them, because we just can't bear to remove them yet. [/quote] That is so heart breaking yet so beautiful!!
faithcecelia Posted October 27, 2011 Posted October 27, 2011 [quote name='Queen'sDaughter' timestamp='1319744150' post='2327822'] One of my friends from church just entered the Valaparasio Carmel! It is absolutely bursting with vocations, and were I to go carmelite it is where I would go first. She is so happy, and I am so happy for her! I do miss her though. She sang right beside me during Mass, and I miss her voice in my ear. We even left her music books were she left them, because we just can't bear to remove them yet. She entered as soon as she turned eighteen and graduated high school, so I think that would be considered a young vocation nowadays. I believe that Valaparasio accepts postulants as young as seventeen, but they must have had at least two years of work experience. My God bless and reward all you younger discerners. (I say from my vast experience of twenty-one years). [/quote] My last Mass with my best friend (she was actually on holiday when I entered) we were singing fine for the psalm (I know that cos I cantored it) but were in a sobbing heap before the Gospel acc and stayed that way the whole way through!!! Goodbyes can be so hard, and its a reason I never moved back up there as by not going back we don't need another goodbye.
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted October 27, 2011 Author Posted October 27, 2011 [quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1319745625' post='2327838'] My last Mass with my best friend (she was actually on holiday when I entered) we were singing fine for the psalm (I know that cos I cantored it) but were in a sobbing heap before the Gospel acc and stayed that way the whole way through!!! Goodbyes can be so hard, and its a reason I never moved back up there as by not going back we don't need another goodbye. [/quote] Oh, how sad, but beautiful at the same time! I would be sobbing too, and I will be sobbing someday when I finally go to the convent!
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