New Novice - Carmel Of St. Joseph - With Homily

[Luigi]

http://www.stlouiscarmel.com/video/the-veil-sign-witness-of-gods-presence/

 

St. Joseph Carmel in St. Louis clothed a novice on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The link above provides a slide show of still images. The voice-over is the homily by the presider Fr. Bede Price, OSB. . It's titled, "The Veil: Sign and Witness of God's Presence." 

[TheresaThoma]

Very pretty! Looks like a thriving community, there are quite a few white veils (and black veils) there!

[ToJesusMyHeart]

I went here on a Nun Run. They have perpetual adoration. :) They are extremely spunky sisters and an utter joy to be with.

[Chiquitunga]

Really beautiful video and homily there! inperpetuity posted this in the OCD communities thread, http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/121149-discalced-carmelite-nun-communities/?p=2601423  That thread has kind of become a compilation of all things Carmelite :smile4:

 

She went to Thomas Aquinas College ~ http://www.thomasaquinas.edu/alumni/faith-action-blog/sr-maria-battista-lamb-god

 

Their adoration is actually throughout the day and they have Benediction every evening when they reserve the Blessed Sacrament for the night. Very unique for Carmel. I've never heard of this at any other Carmel in the world. I have heard some other Carmels comment that adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is not specifically a part of the charism of Carmel, the focus being more on solitude in the cell/seeking the hidden Christ/Indwelling Trinity, although all Carmels have some exposition, some more than others, and of course a great love for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each one is unique. 

 

edit to add a little explanation of the adoration ~ http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/121149-discalced-carmelite-nun-communities/?p=2601716

Edited July 5, 2013 by Chiquitunga

[ToJesusMyHeart]

Thank you for the correction Chiqui! :)

[inperpetuity]

Their monastery and chapel are beautiful.  I will be in St. Louis the end of August and will be stopping there for a quick visit.

[Luigi]

That's the second-oldest Carmel in the US. They've founded a number of daughter houses - one in Louisiana; Jefferson City, MO; Springfield, MO; I think Sioux City, IA; one in Guam; I think one in California; I don't know where all else. 

[graciandelamadrededios]

That's the second-oldest Carmel in the US. They've founded a number of daughter houses - one in Louisiana; Jefferson City, MO; Springfield, MO; I think Sioux City, IA; one in Guam; I think one in California; I don't know where all else. 

 

Yes, you are right.  St. Louis Carmel is the second oldest in the USA.  They have been founded by Baltimore Carmel in 1863.  Baltimore Carmel was founded by Hoogstraet Carmel in 1790.  This Carmel was one of the English-speaking Carmel in Low Countries which can be traced from the original companions and close colaborators of St. Teresa - Mother Anne of Jesus and Mother Anne of St. Bartholomew.  Both fled to the Low Countries due to their conflict with Cardinal Berulle.

 

St. Louis Carmel gave birth to the following monasteries of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in the USA:

 

1. New Orleans Carmel founded in 1877

2. Alhambra Carmel founded in 1913

3. Cleveland Carmel founded in 1923

4. Jackson Carmel founded in 1951

5. Springfield Carmel founded in 1965

 

St. Louis Carmel and its daughter Carmels are of Belgian line.

 

Sioux City Carmel was founded by Loretto Carmel in 1962.  Loretto Carmel was founded from Gignac Carmel in France in 1927.  Loretto Carmel and its daughter Carmels are of French line.

 

Jefferson City Carmel was founded by Santa Fe Carmel in 1960.  Santa Fe Carmel was founded by Dallas Carmel in 1945 and Dallas Carmel was founded from Tulancingo Carmel in 1928 when the Mexican Nuns fled to the USA due to religious persecution.  Dallas Carmel and its daughter houses are of Spanish-Mexican line.

 

Edited July 6, 2013 by graciandelamadrededios

[To Jesus Through Mary]

Oh my goodness that homily was amazing! So inspiring. Thanks for posting that. 

[Chiquitunga]

First Profession of Sr. Gemma Rose in St. Louis Carmel ~ http://vimeo.com/71304785  :heart: I met her before she entered. very happy for her! :)

 

It's interesting to see how they do the professions there, in the chapter room. This is a tradition in Carmel, but at some point some Carmels started doing it in the Nuns' choir. Gracian, do you know more about this?

[Feankie]

How beautiful!  The prostration amongst the flowers always gets me....

[graciandelamadrededios]

First Profession of Sr. Gemma Rose in St. Louis Carmel ~ http://vimeo.com/71304785  :heart: I met her before she entered. very happy for her! :)

 

It's interesting to see how they do the professions there, in the chapter room. This is a tradition in Carmel, but at some point some Carmels started doing it in the Nuns' choir. Gracian, do you know more about this?

 

Hi Chiqui!

 

This is the reply from one of the Prioress:

 

Before Vatican II families were invited to attend the Clothing ceremony but not the Profession which was witnessed by the Community only.

 

Another Prioress replied:

 

In Carmel, before Vatican II, both first and final profession were private, in the presence of the community only.

 

This is customary for Carmel before Vatican II, so each monastery are compelled to follow this.  After Vatican II, each community may decide what is the best for the community and for the family of the nun-to-be-clothed or professed.

 

 

Edited November 20, 2013 by graciandelamadrededios

[graciandelamadrededios]

Hi Chiqui!

 

I forgot which thread where you asked when the origin of wearing white bridal dress began within the religious orders - cloistered and active communities of Nuns.

 

I was reading a book about marriage and I found out the women started wearing white gown after Queen Victoria wore a white gown on her wedding.  Women copied the trend and it may have trickled into the practices of the religious communities.  After, all the habit of Nuns is a peasant woman's attire and this practice was adapted by the religious.

 

Gracian

Edited November 20, 2013 by graciandelamadrededios

[BarbTherese]

http://www.stlouiscarmel.com/video/the-veil-sign-witness-of-gods-presence/

 

St. Joseph Carmel in St. Louis clothed a novice on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The link above provides a slide show of still images. The voice-over is the homily by the presider Fr. Bede Price, OSB. . It's titled, "The Veil: Sign and Witness of God's Presence." 

 

I really liked the way the video is presented with the homily as voice-over to the stills.

[Chiquitunga]

Hi Chiqui!

 

This is the reply from one of the Prioress:

 

Before Vatican II families were invited to attend the Clothing ceremony but not the Profession which was witnessed by the Community only.

 

Another Prioress replied:

 

In Carmel, before Vatican II, both first and final profession were private, in the presence of the community only.

 

This is customary for Carmel before Vatican II, so each monastery are compelled to follow this.  After Vatican II, each community may decide what is the best for the community and for the family of the nun-to-be-clothed or professed.

 

Thank you so much for sharing that! :like:

 

Hi Chiqui!

 

I forgot which thread where you asked when the origin of wearing white bridal dress began within the religious orders - cloistered and active communities of Nuns.

 

I was reading a book about marriage and I found out the women started wearing white gown after Queen Victoria wore a white gown on her wedding.  Women copied the trend and it may have trickled into the practices of the religious communities.  After, all the habit of Nuns is a peasant woman's attire and this practice was adapted by the religious.

 

Gracian

 

vee8 was thinking the same thing here, http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/129234-wedding-dresses-when-did-communities-start-using-them/#.Uox8wRzBU08

Edited November 20, 2013 by Chiquitunga

[graciandelamadrededios]

First Profession of Sr. Gemma Rose in St. Louis Carmel ~ http://vimeo.com/71304785  :heart: I met her before she entered. very happy for her! :)

 

It's interesting to see how they do the professions there, in the chapter room. This is a tradition in Carmel, but at some point some Carmels started doing it in the Nuns' choir. Gracian, do you know more about this?

 

 

According to one Prioress that I asked, The Ritual of the Order published in 1928 stipulates that the Rite of Profession for Carmelite Nuns is to take place in the Chapter Room – which simply means it is to be done in private since no outsiders will be ever admitted.  In Lisieux Carmel (old monastery, now a museaum), the Chapter Room is on the second floor.

 

The full name of the Ritual:  Ritual Carmelitano de los Religiosos y Religiosas de la Orden de Descalzos e Nuestra Madre Santisima La Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo de la Primitive Observancia, Acomodado al Misal y Ritual Romano novisimos y a la antigua costumbre de la Orden.  It was published by Desclee, the official publishers for the Sacred Congregation of Rites.  So the book was approved in Rome specifically for the Carmelite Order.   The Rite of Profession for Nuns is on pages 245-249.

 

 

Gracian

Edited November 22, 2013 by graciandelamadrededios

[Luigi]

Their adoration is actually throughout the day and they have Benediction every evening when they reserve the Blessed Sacrament for the night. Very unique for Carmel. I've never heard of this at any other Carmel in the world. I have heard some other Carmels comment that adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is not specifically a part of the charism of Carmel, the focus being more on solitude in the cell/seeking the hidden Christ/Indwelling Trinity, although all Carmels have some exposition, some more than others, and of course a great love for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each one is unique. 

 

edit to add a little explanation of the adoration ~ http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/121149-discalced-carmelite-nun-communities/?p=2601716

 

As I understand it, they took up adoration at the request of the archbishop. There used to be three monasteries of nuns in St. Louis where the faithful could make visits to the exposed Blessed Sacrament.The monasteries were the Carmelites, the Pink Sisters (Holy Spirit Sisters of Perpetual Adoration), and the Benedictines of Perpetual Adoration (closed a number of years ago). The archbishop established a League of men who committed to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament once a week; two of the monasteries were in different parts of the city - maybe he wanted the Carmelites to provide a third location. 

[Sr Mary Catharine OP]

Professions began to be done within Mass as the documents on religious life encouraged that after Vatican II. The Carmelites followed the Dominicans, Cistercians, etc. in having profession in the chapter hall. We can still do it but it is preferred that it is done within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Doing so highlights the sacrificial nature of profession.