Funny Thing Today

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='SoonerCatholic' timestamp='1320466170' post='2331668']
[I'm not nunsense, but...] If I recall correctly, perpetual abstinence from meat was part of the older, traditional Carmelite rule such as described by Mother Catherine Thomas in My Beloved; but this is not the case now, at least since the more recent reforms. Now I think it varies by community with some of the stricter, more traditional ones retaining that particular penance.
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It is the [url="http://carmelnet.org/chas/rule.htm"][u]Rule of St. Albert[/u][/url] that[i] all[/i] Carmelites follow (1990s, 1991s, O.Carm., nuns, friars, etc.) that calls for abstinence from meat.

[i]"You are to abstain from meat, except as a remedy for sickness or feebleness."[/i] - Chapter 17

At the beginning of both the Constitutions of 1990 and 1991 is the Rule. Then the Constitutions define/regulate more specific things about their lives/interpret the Rule. But from what I understand the Constitutions of 1991 still follow very much what the Rule calls for regarding abstinence, with exceptions of course, as it allows. Perhaps some of the 1991 Carmels are a bit looser on this point than some of the 1990s, but in short it is part of the Carmelite Rule itself.

[quote name='beatitude' timestamp='1320490387' post='2331775']Carmelites do eat fish sometimes, and a sister can have meat if she has a medical need that can't be managed without it, but as a general rule they have a simple vegetarian diet.
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From my experience and talking with others who were in Carmel/discerned, Carmelites eat fish quite often. It is not considered "meat" as the Church doesn't consider it .. e.g. fish on Fridays.

FutureCarmelite, I wouldn't let this worry you. God will certainly give you the grace if you are called to Carmel Also, compared with for instance the Poor Clare Colettines (who rise at midnight to pray Matins, eat breakfast standing up, etc.), the Discalced Carmelite way of life is very balanced/not very penitential. It is more about interior penance/giving up the will. Hope this helps some God bless!

edit to add - PCCs (and several others I'm sure) also have perpetual abstinence from meat, so we're not alone

Edited November 5, 2011 by Chiquitunga