Discacled Carmelite Application Question

[Little Carmelite]

I normally don't post but I have a question and know this is the best place for it-

 

Ok first of all.. I'm a convert/revert and was Baptized Catholic as a baby, but not raised Catholic at all... so when I came into RCIA 4 years ago, I was starting at the beginning.. like I didn't even know the Hail Mary ;) So if this is a dumb question, please consider that I'm still a newbie ;)

From the beginning I was feeling like I should be a nun and actually started praying the LOTH during RCIA, so I guess you could say God put me on a fast track to catch me up lol

 

Ok.. now, here's my question-

I've applied to become a Discalced Carmelite nun (1990's constitution)- I'm at this convent almost daily and help them out a lot- I've been going here for 3 years now and they also let me in to pray Vespers with them on Sundays so they know me pretty well. 
*I turned in my application on May 26th
*I worked at the convent for the Novena of Our Lady of Mt Carmel and figured I wouldn't hear anything until after the novena 
*During the novena one of my references came up to me telling me that Mother had written her about me and she turned in her response to Mother the next day (July 13). I found out a the next day that my other references got letters too and they all turned them in around the same time. 
*One of my references insisted (twice) on reading to me what she wrote- basically she made me sound like a living saint... so if I am accepted, I'll have a lot to live up to!
*It is now Aug 8 and I still haven't heard anything from the nuns.
Now, I know they work on "Carmelite time" and I'm trying to be patient but should I just wait for them to contact me or should I do/say something?
I'm not sure what the proper thing to do here would be and need advice (and prayers please!)
Rachel

[TheresaThoma]

From the timeline you have constructed it sounds like they have had less than a month to recieve, read and consider your application and letters of recommendation. Right now I would just wait. You are right in them running on "Carmelite time" and this is a big decision for the community even if they do know you really well. I would give them at least another couple of weeks. If you haven't heard anything then it might be good to ask about your application. I will be praying for you as this must be nerve wracking!

[Nunsense]

Another thing to remember is that the Prioress doesn't make this decision on her own. They will have to call a Chapter meeting to vote on your application. Before they get to the stage of voting however, they may meet to discuss your application amongst the sisters and this might be done over several meeting. Since they know you already, they may have a lot to talk about!

 

It isn't easy to be patient, but now begins the process of letting go ... right? :)

 

 

[OnlySunshine]

Like others have said, Carmelites have a process whereby they have to convene at a General Chapter.  The professed members vote on whether or not to allow the candidate to continue and enter into formation.  It takes a while from what I've heard.  My friend applied and entered 2 different monasteries (both 1990s) and it took over 2 months for one of them to get back to her. 

 

BTW, congrats on your application and welcome to Phatmass!  :)

[Little Carmelite]

Thank you both for replying! 
 

From the timeline you have constructed it sounds like they have had less than a month to recieve, read and consider your application and letters of recommendation. Right now I would just wait. You are right in them running on "Carmelite time" and this is a big decision for the community even if they do know you really well. I would give them at least another couple of weeks. If you haven't heard anything then it might be good to ask about your application. I will be praying for you as this must be nerve wracking!

I think what has me impatient is that the nun who was the extern (who has now entered the cloister as the novice mistress) told me before she entered "once you turn in your paperwork things move really fast". She also told me "when you enter I'll be your novice mistress" and "when you enter etc etc etc" so I said "wait, you said 'when' not 'if' and she said she has no doubt about my vocation.. so I guess I expected to hear something really fast. 

 

Another thing to remember is that the Prioress doesn't make this decision on her own. They will have to call a Chapter meeting to vote on your application. Before they get to the stage of voting however, they may meet to discuss your application amongst the sisters and this might be done over several meeting. Since they know you already, they may have a lot to talk about!

 

It isn't easy to be patient, but now begins the process of letting go ... right? :)

Sister also told me before she entered that they may or may not want to all have a meeting with me (she said "we have great fun at these meetings" and of course I told her that I figured they would since they put the nervous applicant on the 'hot seat' haha ).. she said they may also just vote. 
Every day I go for daily Mass there - I know they wouldn't say something then because they know I have to get to work right afterward, but I keep hoping on Sunday's when I'm there for Vespers they may say something (I talk to both Mother at the turn to get the key to get into the extern quarters and another sister to return the key) but neither says a word about my application.

I figured I should just wait but I started "over-thinking" it today and wondered if maybe I was supposed to say something or whatever, so I thought I'd ask here :)

[Little Carmelite]

Like others have said, Carmelites have a process whereby they have to convene at a General Chapter.  The professed members vote on whether or not to allow the candidate to continue and enter into formation.  It takes a while from what I've heard.  My friend applied and entered 2 different monasteries (both 1990s) and it took over 2 months for one of them to get back to her. 

 

BTW, congrats on your application and welcome to Phatmass!  :)
 

Ok then, I don't feel so bad about how long it's taking then :) I have nothing to compare this to as I've never applied anywhere before, and I'm a newbie at that haha
I've actually been on Phatmass for sometime now (years) but I never post or anything, I just read what others post ;)

[AnneLine]

It takes the time it takes.  :)

 

And sometimes there is stuff going on in the community that can affect timing (someone on a retreat, having surgery, or whatever). 

 

So.... stay busy and trust in God's timing.....

[Little Carmelite]

It takes the time it takes.  :)

 

And sometimes there is stuff going on in the community that can affect timing (someone on a retreat, having surgery, or whatever). 

 

So.... stay busy and trust in God's timing.....

Thanks! :)
 

[OnlySunshine]

It takes the time it takes.  :)

 

And sometimes there is stuff going on in the community that can affect timing (someone on a retreat, having surgery, or whatever). 

 

So.... stay busy and trust in God's timing.....

 

This is VERY true!  When my friend was applying to one of the monasteries she entered, one of the elderly Sisters fell in the tub and broke her femur.  I was in contact with the same monastery and Mother told me it was very serious.  She had to go for surgery and an extended hospital stay so it delayed the chapter meeting. 

Edited August 9, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[Anselm]

Yes, don't worry at all - when I spoke to the Abbot of the community I'm hoping to join he seemed very pleased about it and I have known the community for several years. Even so, he said that it would have to be discussed at the next meeting of the Abbot's Council (I think votes in Chapter are only for professions) and that was nearly two months away.

[AnneLine]

Really good point, Anselm, and I didn't even think about how it works for councils with 'regularly scheduled' stuff.  In my Secular Order, we have the people who are hoping to move from Aspirant to Novice (what we would normally think of as 'postulant to novice' in most communities) turn in paperwork in June or July.... and the Council won't even get to that topic until the September or October meeting!  And it only meets usually 4 times a year!  And... there are things we have to do before we can vote.... and we don't meet in August!   And if there is anything that needs further research (something as simple as a missing response or a wrong date, for example, can need more research....) it might have to be put off for a month or two longer while the question is resolved, even if the council is probably sure the person would be approved to advance.

 

So... yup, it can take a while.   All in God's good timing.

 

Praying for you!

[Feankie]

  All in God's good timing.

 

Praying for you!

 Praying for you as well.  Waiting can be the hardest thing - even more difficult that getting the application for entrance and all it's accompanying documents ready.

[graciandelamadrededios]

Like others have said, Carmelites have a process whereby they have to convene at a General Chapter.  The professed members vote on whether or not to allow the candidate to continue and enter into formation.  It takes a while from what I've heard.  My friend applied and entered 2 different monasteries (both 1990s) and it took over 2 months for one of them to get back to her. 

 

BTW, congrats on your application and welcome to Phatmass!  :)

 

Each Monastery of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns is autonomous, though they are spiritually united under one Father Superior General of the Discalced Friars, the Mother Prioress of a monastery is considered as Major Superior and no one else is above her except the Holy See or the local ordinary (this comment is based on 1990 Constituions).  The Discalced Carmelite Nuns has no "Mother General" nor St. Teresa was considered as one.

 

The term "General Chapter" is not applicable to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns.  They simply do not attend the General Chapter unless invited by the Friars as auditors.  Recently, the Association Presidents and its representatives can attend the Order's General Chapter upon invitation but the followers of the 1990 Text does not attend the General Chapter at all. 

 

As for an aspirant applying for admission, they  (Discalced Carmelite Nuns) simply call it "Chapter" or Conventual Chapter.  The chapter can be convened under the presidency of the Mother Prioress and to be attended by all professed Nuns with active and passive voice.  

 

General Chapter are applicable to those houses or convents where there is an elected Superior General such as the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters or the Tyburn Nuns.  The General Chapter are usually held in the Generalate House or Head Quarters of the Order or Congregation.  The Pink Sisters calls those who attend the General Chapter as Capitulars.

[Little Carmelite]

Thought I would update. 

Since this post I had a meeting with the community (3 weeks ago), and I found out Sunday that I've been accepted- I'll be entering in Feb (after my lease for my apartment is up)

[Feankie]

What wonderful news!!!!   :nun3: See, the nuns work on "nun time", not our time.  Good things come to those who wait....

[VeniJesuAmorMi]

Thought I would update. 

Since this post I had a meeting with the community (3 weeks ago), and I found out Sunday that I've been accepted- I'll be entering in Feb (after my lease for my apartment is up)

 

Thank you for sharing this great news! You certainly did your share of waiting to find out, and now it won't be much longer until your entrance. :)

[AnneLine]

This is SO EXCITING, Little Carmelite!  Praying for you... you pray for us, too, and let us know if you need any help prepping in any way... lots of happy VS people have been rooting for you!

[Little Carmelite]

This is SO EXCITING, Little Carmelite!  Praying for you... you pray for us, too, and let us know if you need any help prepping in any way... lots of happy VS people have been rooting for you!

 

Thank you, I'll be praying for all here and yes, please remember to pray for me.

It's a bit overwhelming trying to get rid of years worth of "stuff". I have half a mind to post up on freecycle and say to come during x and x hours and take what you want lol.. .that would make it go fast huh? :)

[AnneLine]

Real story.... he he he

 

When I was ready to enter, I had an apartment full of stuff, and was still trying to get the $$$$ needed to pay for insurance, etc.

 

After talking it over with my friends at the local University, made a deal with a bunch of them about 5 months before I entered.  They could come over and using paper sticky dots, could 'purchase' items for delivery at either beginning of summer or (better for me!) beginning of the school year when they returned back from the summer (I was entering end of September).   They made a bid and paid for what they wanted, and I could use the stuff in the meantime.  

 

One of my friends asked if he could purchase the contents of my entire kitchen cabinets.  He said his young sister was setting up her first apartment, and would LOVE to get stuff like all my spices, etc.   I said sure, and we agreed on a payment of $25, I could use them until he came to box and carry off at the end of the summer.

 

He told me later that he THOUGHT he'd made a huge deal... until he realized he had just paid $25 to pack up and remove the entire contents of my kitchen cabinets.  And he did, too!   He DID get a good deal... but not having to get rid of the stuff.... was priceless to me!

 

See if there is a local college campus near you... bet someone would LOVE to take some of that off your hands!

[brandelynmarie]

:yahoo: