Unique Experience Today

[To Jesus Through Mary]

They do have 2 houses in DC. One of which is a formation house- although it is in their convent chapel, if you called I am sure they would allow you to go to Mass there. They are most welcoming!! And the other house doesn't normally have Mass there because the sisters work at various parishes. Just give em' a hollar. I will PM you their contact info.

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1343085610' post='2458274']
St. Teresa of Avila reformed the Carmelite order to include that none of the Sisters speak directly to each other -- only through the Reverend Mother -- during recreation. This helped them detach themselves from worldly relationships in order to maintain pure friendships with the entire community. They also are supposed be doing small work during recreation. Some orders, like the 1991s have loosened this rule to allow Sisters to enjoy playing board games, but most 1990 cloisters keep the rule in place.[/quote]
Okay, old (somewhat) thread here, but I remember reading this and was meaning to post. Actually it is just in the Novitiate that this is done .. to not speak directly to the others Sisters, but only through the Novice Mistress. However, not all 1990 Carmels keep this practice very strictly. For instance, I know a friend asked about this when visiting Iron Mountain and they said they do not do this anymore as actually it does not date back to the time of St. Teresa. It was introduced later. So that works for them. I know Valparaiso and Buffalo and their foundations still do this (Valparaiso sounds the most strict in this area from hearing others experiences) and I think there are very good reasons, especially as the Novices are new to the religious life and could confuse each other/form particular relationships, as mentioned above. So again, whatever is best for the individual communities.

Anyway, but yeah, it is just in the novitiate