The Carmelite's Day

[Chiquitunga]

truthfinder, it looks like you are correct! :like: great memory there!! I think this is the closest we will get to an accurate answer.

 

"When we want a sister who is in her cell or office, we must knock at the door; if after knocking twice she does not answer, we must go away without opening the door; but the sister should understand that she is obliged to answer Deo Gratias, and to open the door to see what is required of her."

 

http://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/au-carmel/le-style-de-vie/textes-de-base/papier-dexaction/12291-le-papier-d-exaction

[truthfinder]

Woot! Knew I had read it somewhere - I'm not going crazy  :bananarap:

[Teresa Mary]

All this information is great; thanks again! :)

[graciandelamadrededios]

I see this topic hasn't been discussed in a while (and I read some of it), but I was wondering if I could get more info to finish this particular chapter in the Carmelite novel I am writing about St. Philomena.....I have looked everywhere I can think of, online and off, and not able to find the answer I am looking for :sos: How does a Sister, who is called to speak to the Prioress in her office, announce her presence at the door ~ and how does the Prioress respond?  I'm anxious to finish this novel so I can send it to the publisher.  Thanks, everyone! :priest:

 

 

 

Customs of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns when a Sister wants to speak to the Mother Prioress:

 

1. The Prioress has her own space or office where she occupies to exercise her duties of superior of the house (apart from her cell) - a custom retained after Vatican II for practical reasons.

 

2.  There is no coded knock used on the door of the office of the Prioress; one just knocks.

 

3.  The greetings are the same when you meet the Mother Prioress on the hallway; greeting her with "Praised be Jesus Christ" and her reply is "Now and forever."  I read on the Book of Exactions that when you meet the Prioress, the first time during the day, the Sister kneels and kiss her (Prioress') Scapular.  Some monasteries might have dropped these practices but may have been retained by some.

 

4. Before Vatican II, Mother Prioress was addressed as "Your Reverence", while the Sister is addressed "Your Charity" - a custom that might still be in effect in some traditional monasteries.  Common way of addressing each other nowadays is by using the word "You" just like in the secular world.

 

5. Customs vary from one monastery to another even before Vatican II, the commonalities perhaps, is that the Customs before Vatican II was more formal.  Nowadays, the customs are geared towards simplicity and informality - the hallmark of Christ ministry.

 

I am still waiting for the reply of other Prioresses and I will share what I found out.

 

 

Sources:  Prioresses of various Discalced Carmelite Monasteries

[graciandelamadrededios]

truthfinder, it looks like you are correct! :like: great memory there!! I think this is the closest we will get to an accurate answer.

 

"When we want a sister who is in her cell or office, we must knock at the door; if after knocking twice she does not answer, we must go away without opening the door; but the sister should understand that she is obliged to answer Deo Gratias, and to open the door to see what is required of her."

 

http://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/au-carmel/le-style-de-vie/textes-de-base/papier-dexaction/12291-le-papier-d-exaction

 

 

UPDATE: Customs of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns when a Sister wants to speak to the Mother Prioress (from a 1990 Carmel):

 

1. There is always a separate room for the Office of the Mother Prioress

 

2. Just knock at her door and when she replies "Deo Gratias" (Thanks be to God) it means the Sister can enter the room.  This custom is found on the Paper of Exactions translated from French to English in the Lisieux Archives Website.

 

 

 

Hope this help to the lady who is writing a novel about Carmel.

 

I am still waiting for a couple of replies from other monasteries and I will share them as soon as receive the emails.

 

*Teresa Mary, it would be very interesting to read this novel, I read a novel about Carmelites written by Mark Salzman entitled "Lying Awake" and its a very touching book.  It captured by spirit and ministry of Carmel but some of the customs cited were incorrect at least for Carmelites.  I guess he incorporated customs of other religious community to his novels.  Also, it is important to establish the genealogy of this Carmel - is this Carmel of French origin or Spanish?  The habit and customs French and Spanish Carmels have minor differences.  Chiqui and I have long discussions on and off this forum about the French and Spanish Habit as well as the customs.

 

*Thanks Chiqui for sending the correct thread!

Edited May 14, 2014 by graciandelamadrededios