Antigonos Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 Antigonos... how is your friend and her family doing -- the one with the cancer diagnosis. I continue to pray the Psalms for her and her family... At the present, she is in a course of chemotherapy which she is tolerating fairly well. It is too early to know whether it is affecting the cancer in any significant way. My husband, who is a taxi driver, often takes her to Hadassah hospital where she gets her therapy and says she seems to be in good spirits. Thanks for asking. If Indwelling Trinity is keeping up with the forum, please be aware I am praying for her and when the weather is better, I'll put another "pitka" in the Western Wall for her recovery.
AnneLine Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 (edited) I hope your friend's family continues to do OK with this as well.... serious illness shakes everyone, but most especially the most vulnerable among us. Occasionally IT will come on the chat or post, and if I see her, I will pass on your message -- as I am sure, will all of us who see your message, Antigonos. And Gratian, sorry for the :hijack: Sorry! :paperbag: AnneLine Edited December 22, 2013 by AnneLine
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 I almost said something myself, but hoped it would just be buried in postings on this thread. The Carmelite monastery there was CLOSED and REMOVED, and apologies, profuse apologies, have been offered. For the reasons that both BarbaraTherese and Antigonos stated. PLEASE do not continue to post that image, Gratian. Neither the Church nor the Carmelites want to have those images continue to circulate, Gratian and SilentJoy. If you have further questions PM me and I will explain further. Thank you for your Restraint, Antigonos; I can only imagine how hard those photos are for you. When it was originally founded, I don't think anyone realized the kind of problem it would create; I think the hope had been that it would be a place of prayer that this might NEVER happen again. But it was done in a way that many found insensitive.... I knowthe Order wishes it could just erase the whole thing. However, as we have all learned, perhaps it is better that we do see reminders from time to time... lest we forget. ---------- Antigonos... how is your friend and her family doing -- the one with the cancer diagnosis. I continue to pray the Psalms for her and her family... Hi Anneline, This photo is for sale at ebay.com. I simply copied and posted them and I am not staking a claim that this photo in my posession. As I have mentioned, this photo is "for sale" and this photo is circulating the websites and will continue to circulate as long as the seller post said photo. So, you mighth as well as email the seller who opted to sell this photos. You can check them yourself. The posting of this photo is not to intentionally cause trouble or controversy but a statement of fact that there was a Carmelite Monastery that area. I have a booklet about the story of this monastery. If I have offended anyone, be assured that this was never my intention. Gracian
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 I almost said something myself, but hoped it would just be buried in postings on this thread. The Carmelite monastery there was CLOSED and REMOVED, and apologies, profuse apologies, have been offered. For the reasons that both BarbaraTherese and Antigonos stated. PLEASE do not continue to post that image, Gratian. Neither the Church nor the Carmelites want to have those images continue to circulate, Gratian and SilentJoy. If you have further questions PM me and I will explain further. Thank you for your Restraint, Antigonos; I can only imagine how hard those photos are for you. When it was originally founded, I don't think anyone realized the kind of problem it would create; I think the hope had been that it would be a place of prayer that this might NEVER happen again. But it was done in a way that many found insensitive.... I knowthe Order wishes it could just erase the whole thing. However, as we have all learned, perhaps it is better that we do see reminders from time to time... lest we forget. ---------- Antigonos... how is your friend and her family doing -- the one with the cancer diagnosis. I continue to pray the Psalms for her and her family... Hi Anneline, This photo is for sale at ebay.com. I simply copied and posted them and I am not staking a claim that this photo is in my posession. As I have mentioned, this photo is "for sale" and this photo is circulating the websites and will continue to circulate as long as the seller post said photo. So, you mighth as well as email the seller who opted to sell this photos (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Press-Photo-Nazi-Death-Camp-Converted-to-Convent-for-Carmelite-Nuns-/390725281890?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item5af90aa862) You can check them yourself. The posting of this photo is not to intentionally cause trouble or controversy but a statement of fact that there was a Carmelite Monastery that area. I have a booklet about the story of this monastery. If I have offended anyone, be assured that this was never my intention. Gracian
AnneLine Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 :heart: Gracian, I know that, and thanks for saying that. I know you didn't intend any disrespect. And, I didn't intend to single you nor SilentJoy out...sorry if it appeared that way. :paperbag: Sometimes internet can be a bad medium for communications. I just wanted to be sure all of US don't keep whipping up this controversy to the extent WE can keep it from happening. Sadly, I don't think any of us can deal with anything like this being sold on EBay.... occasionally we can get their attention on things even more serious, but usually, not. All we can do is not make putting the stuff up profitable for them... by NOT purchasing them.... :heart: all of you....
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 24, 2013 Author Posted December 24, 2013 :heart: Gracian, I know that, and thanks for saying that. I know you didn't intend any disrespect. And, I didn't intend to single you nor SilentJoy out...sorry if it appeared that way. :paperbag: Sometimes internet can be a bad medium for communications. I just wanted to be sure all of US don't keep whipping up this controversy to the extent WE can keep it from happening. Sadly, I don't think any of us can deal with anything like this being sold on EBay.... occasionally we can get their attention on things even more serious, but usually, not. All we can do is not make putting the stuff up profitable for them... by NOT purchasing them.... :heart: all of you.... Hello Anneline, Be assured that it was not my intention "whipping up" this controversial topic, hence I refrained from making any comments when posting the pics. The headline of the photo is not from me but from the seller - in case this is not very obvious. Though I am very well-informed of what happened to this very controversial Carmel, I did not open any topics related to this. You are right, we cannot control the individual who decided to sell the photos online. It is their private property and they can do whatever they want do with said photo - which include selling them. Don't worry, I have no intention of buying this particular photo though I am very interested in other Photos of Carmelite Nuns that are offered on ebay.com for sale but sadly, I could not afford them, so I just copied the photos and saved them on my laptop. Merry Christmas to all! Peace to all! Gracian
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 24, 2013 Author Posted December 24, 2013 I would like to share the following information from a book I read entitled: FRANCES NEVINS Mid 20th Century Carmelite Friend, Scholar, Wife, Nun and Mystic J.M.+J.T. MONASTERY OF DISCALCED CARMELITES 428 DUANE AVENUE SCHENECTADY 4, NEW YORK Pax Christi! November 14, 1960 Dear Frances, We just received the final permission needed from Our Superior to admit you among the Choir Sisters. Today being the fest of “All the Saints of Carmel†we hasten to send you the good news. Reverend Mother has set the date for November 21st feast of Our Lady’s Presentation. Can you make it for(not sure of the handwriting of the nun) then? Only seven more days left! Its quite a short notice at any time. Welcome to Carmel, dear Frances. It is nice to think that All the Saints of Carmel are to present another little soul to Our Blessed Mother on her feast day. Enclosed you will find a list of articles to bring. It isn’t necessary to buy anything that isn’t specified on the list. May God Bless you and give you all the graces necessary for the big step you are about to take. We shall keep you in our prayers. Yours humbly in Our Lord, For Reverend Mother Prioress + My dear Child, We just received your permission. Today is the feast of “All Saints of Carmel†so it looks as though your new family in Heaven is taking you into their keeping. May God be praised! Frances, I forgot to tell you when you were here, that $200.00 novitiate expense money is required, besides the dowry stipulated by Canon Law. Mother Mistress would like you to come on the 21st. I hope you can be ready on such short notice. A warm welcome awaits you, our dear Frances. Yours humbly in Our Lord, Mother M. Magdalen of the Holy Ghost, D.C. If you have to buy a Bible buy the New Catholic Edition of the Holy Bible A small crucifix, 3†or 4†long Daily Missal in Latin and English Following of Christ by Thomas A’Kempis 6 cotton underwear – night gown – towels – wash clothes 6 pr. of brown cotton stockings 2 pr. of low heel shoes 1 pr. of rubber and overshoes (I am not sure if I got the correct spelling on this) 3 cotton and 3 flannelette sheets 3 woolen blankets A shawl (if you have one) Darning cotton, brown and white Any sewing articles you may have Small scissors Large pr. of shears An alarm clock Toothbrushes and toothpaste Pocket pen-knife Note: these requirements are from the 1960's and each Carmel may require different sets of clothing and things since each country differs in terms of climate and culture. Same for Customs that I have posted previously, each Carmels nowadays, formulate their own customary as specified in the documents of Vatican II. Before Vatican II, the Nuns founded from French Carmels or Spanish Carmels have different customs due to the fact that these two countries were at constant odds with each other and it trickled to the religious communities. I still find both customs faithful to the spirit of St. Teresa who was noted largely for her common sense. Also, the custom may differ from Italian Carmels, German Carmels and even Polish Carmels. Even among French Carmels, there are some minor differences in customs and observances as one French-Canadian Nuns observed while she was staying at Seattle Carmel - she was on her way to the Philippines to found a Carmel.
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 24, 2013 Author Posted December 24, 2013 The majority of Carmels in the Philippines can trace their origin to the Carmel of Lisieux. 2 Carmels in Davao were founded by two French-Canadian Mothers. Naga Carmel was founded by two American Mothers.
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 24, 2013 Author Posted December 24, 2013 Another interesting book I would like to share: The Roots of Teresa's Nuns in the Philippines Vol 1 and 2 was written by Sr. Mary Teresa, OCD of Lipa Carmel. We are forever thankful to the American Mothers since Baltimore Carmel contributed two Nuns from Naga foundation: Sr. Aloysius of the Passion and Sr. John of Jesus and Mary. They went to live in Manila Carmel and eventually went to Jaro Carmel but there stay did not last long - the two American Nuns had misunderstanding with the French Prioress, Mother Mary of Christ who has a very dominant personality. Mother Teresa asked the two Nuns to go back to Manila and they stayed until the foundation of Naga Carmel started. Mother Mary Magdalene, the Prioress of Baltimore Carmel wanted to join the two American Nuns in Naga but the Bishop (of Boston) did not allow her. An excerpt of the letter to the Nuns from Fr. Thomas Kilduff, OCD: "First of all, remember that the French have always been a little more rigid in their interpretation of the Constitutions than others. Sometimes, however, I cannot help admiring their spirit of penance and wishing we had a little more of it... We Americans are not accustomed to doing things the hard way. In fact, our monastic life here in this country is altogether too comfortable. there is hardly a modern convenience that we lack. For this reason we find it difficult in the Missions, whereas the European adapts himself more easily... My point here is that perhaps judging the whole thing by the standards of the Philippines, the Nuns in Iloilo are not half as narrow as we think... While I readily appreciate the difficulties and privations that are to be encountered in the Philippines, I do think it is providential that you have had a chance to see how others are living in the mission before thinking a foundation of our own. Don't take too critical an attitude towards Mother Mary and the others. They have an entirely different background. They were the religious who were heroic enough to go out to the Philippines where our American Nuns turned down the invitation." Note: Jaro is in Iloilo province I am not sure if these books are available in the US for sale but some libraries might have them.
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 27, 2013 Author Posted December 27, 2013 Photo of German Discalced Carmelite Nuns with the future Novice wearing a wedding dress: Without the Scapular - interesting toque: The Prioress and Novice Mistress putting on the leather cincture on her waist: Pinning her scapular so it wont move around - her smile is priceless: I hope Chiqui would love these photos, this is for you my dear friend....
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 27, 2013 Author Posted December 27, 2013 To my dear friend, Chiqui:
graciandelamadrededios Posted December 27, 2013 Author Posted December 27, 2013 Photos of German Carmelite Nuns are from this website: http://www.karmelitinnen-wuerzburg.de
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 Photos from http://karmel.gniezno.pl/: Nice detail on the day veil - similar to Spanish Carmelites Novices does not wear "shirred" or "gathered" veil but Spanish Carmelite does The choir is small but very beautiful The Novice' crown of flowers is very beautiful!
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 http://karmel.gniezno.pl/pl/galeria-zdjec/obloczyny-s-marii-lucyny-od-chrystusa-zmartwychwstalego/ Photos from Gniezno Carmel in Poland: The crown of flowers is just marvelous!
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 Mother Prioress, Novice and Mother Novice Mistress Carmelite Profession of Vows The Novice Professed wearing a very long veil Another crown of flowers and this time - red roses
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 Carmelites at recreation:
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 A very beautiful profession photos in the hands of the Rev. Mother Prioress
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 Another batch of profession photos:
graciandelamadrededios Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 PAPER OF EXACTIONS OF THE Discalced Carmelite Nuns OF THE ORDER OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL taken from the traditions of our Spanish Mothers and Foundresses THE NOVICIATE AND DUTIES OF NOVICES. Every day the novices should ask the Blessed Virgin to receive them as her daughters, since they have the grace of being in her order, and beseech her to teach them how to praise, love and serve her Divine Son. Our first Superiors wished St. John the Baptist to be their protector, in order that he might obtain for them the spirit of prayer, silence, separation from all things and mortification of the senses. They should have continual recourse to our Holy Mother Saint Teresa, and ask her for her spirit that they may faithfully follow all that she has taught us by her example, by her writings and by our rule and constitutions, fearing, through want of fervor in fulfilling her precepts to be a cause of decline in the spirit of her reform. They must therefore be faithful in avoiding what she wished to correct in the novices, that is to say. the desire of being esteemed, attention to the defects of others without ever acknowledging our own; the point of honor, thinking oneself less well treated than the others; love of the world, care of one's body, seeking for exemptions and comforts. Our Holy Mother desires that novices should amend in all these things before their Profession, and ordains that, if they do not do so, their Profession shall be delayed or they shall be sent away; she says that they will be all their lives what they are in their noviciate. They must therefore have a great zeal to make progress in perfection and in all virtue following in the footsteps of the saints who have gone before them, advancing some by the martyrÂdom of blood, others by that of love—all by sufferings, humiliations, penance, a solitary life separated from creatures, caring only for rest in labor, joy in suffering, consolation in the Cross, undisturbed by that which troubles nature, knowing that "the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent bear it away." The novices should therefore also repress all inequalities of temper and be ever ready to yield to what is wished of them without any choice either of place or cell, or employment, cleaving only to God alone. They should be entirely subÂmissive to the will of others, make their own spirit die to all things, see only that which is good in their sisters and shut their eyes to all things else. At half-past two on days when we do not sing Vespers, the novices go to the noviciate; it begins by the ordinary Antiphon: Veni Sancte Spiritus. The mistress of novices will not fail to go every day to the noviciate, whilst the novices are assembled there, to teach them true piety and virtue, the observance of the rules and everything which they ought to know; attaching very great importance to this as our constitutions recommend. The novices say their faults once a week in the noviciate, on a different day from that on which the Chapter is held; observing all that is marked for the Chapter of faults, excepting that they do not kiss the Scapular of their mistress, but they make an inclination to her. If on any occasion the mistress is not in the noviciate, nor the Mother Prioress, the novices would make their spiritual reading each one by herself or all together accordÂing as might be thought best. At one o'clock the novices go to mark their office; but in Lent, on fasts of the Church and all Fridays in summer they mark it at ten o'clock and then return to their work. They make every day half an hour's spiritual reading. In Lent when there is the whole hour for reading they add only the fifteen minutes before the evening hour for prayer, they cannot dispense themselves from this without leave. When an extra Communion is granted to the Community the Novices do not take it for themÂselves, nor the permissions given to the Nuns in general to ask certain little things of the officers,unless they are specially told to do so, never taking for themselves what tends to consolation or personal satisfaction, but only such things as regard labor, penance, and humiliation in which their zeal and their fervor should shine forth. They should take care to retain nothing in their way of speaking which still savors of the spirit of the world. When they have to name their Father and Mother, whether with the Mother Prioress, or in speaking to externs, to enquire for them or send them messages, they should say: My Father and my Mother; never using worldly terms and titles and avoiding also all undue familiarity of exÂpression. They should also carefully avoid the use of exaggerated expressions; and in speaking of themselves they must not say: I have, I give—but: we have, we give, speaking generally in the plural unless it be of their own imperfections. The Novices should not, without permission, bind themselves as by obligation to say regularly any prayer, however short; were it only an Ave Maria by day, since all their actions should be regulated by obedience. Simplicity, docility, dependence, and subjection, these are the principal virtues to the acquisition of which the Novices should apply themselves without ceasing; they should neither see, nor hear, nor judge of anything save in that religious spirit which they are taught to acquire. They ought not to wish to know what is going on in the world, nor even what is done within the Monastery, in order to be occupied only with the one thing necessary, with God and with their progress in perfection, applying themselves thus to laying a good foundation during their Noviciate; for it is difficult to acquire later on, what has not been seriously aimed at during this time. When their Mother Prioress instructs them they should speak to her and answer her questions with great simplicity, candor, and perfect confidence, telling her, at all times, their needs and inÂdispositions whether spiritual or corporal; in a word they should see in her Jesus Christ whom she represents to them, and apply themselves faithfully to accomplish all that she tells them to do, following sincerely the advice which she gives to them, for woe to those who reject correction and murmur against it. Let them aim at that spirit of Christian infancy to which Salvation is attached and, since we must become as little children in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, lowliÂness and subjection should be theirs in a very special degree. They should have great respect for their Mistress, who is charged to form them to the Religious life, that is to say, to that state of life which is to unite them closely to God. They will always speak to her on their knees, when they are not in Community, they will prostrate themselves when she reproves them for any fault; and in speaking of her they will always say: "our Mistress," even in Community. They will speak to her with candor and with simplicity, being fully convinced that they will always find in the confidence they have in her a powerful help in working at their perfection and for advancing in the practice of all the virtues appertaining to their state. They may not ask her any permission at recreation or anywhere in Community, not even in a low tone of voice, reserving this for when they are alone with her. It would be a want of respect towards the Mother Prioress to ask any permissions of their Mistress in her presence. They will show all the letters which they write and which they receive to their Mistress, and will write none without permission. In the Choir the Novices have to observe two things: First, such perfect silence and mortificaÂtion as to appear dead to all things else, save praising God and being attentive to His Presence. Secondly, they should take great care not to go to and fro in the Choir without necessity, and when they are obliged to do so, it must be softly and silently, both out of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and in order that they may not interrupt the prayer of the sisters. When the Mother Prioress commands anything without addressing herself to anyone in particular, the Novices should try to do it with that promptiÂtude which makes evident their love of obedience; they must never make any difficulties at recreation with regard to anything which is commanded them, and if they have something to say conÂcerning what they are ordered to do, they must wait till the end of the recreation before doing so; this must be most faithfully observed, the contrary being very unedifying in a Religious Community. The Professed Novices ask permission, once for all, to read the books of the Community which are placed in the Hermitages. Each week the Novices ask the ordinary permissions. They should ask their Mistress what they have to do with regard to the Offices of the Week which fall to their share; commending themselves to God that they may accomplish them well. Each one-who is named Hebdomadary should ask Him to enable her to fulfill this function with fitting recollection and edification. The Mistress of Novices can give them permission to go into each other's cells when necessary
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