First Live-in! :)

[beccasmiles89]

Hello! I will be doing my first live-in experience next month, with the Discalced Carmelites in St. Louis. I'll be with the sisters for two weeks, and I was wondering if anyone has any advice, suggestions, recommendations, etc. on how I can best use this time I'll have with them? Anything I can start doing now to prepare?

 

Thank you! :)

[salveregina10]

That is very exciting, I pray you have a blessed experience.  If I were you, I would prepare by learning as much as I can about their way of life and spirituality.  This will help you know what questions to ask and to understand why they do what they do.  Though I did not enter a Carmel, I did visit several (Salt Lake City and Port Tobacco).  It helped me to talk with my Discalced Carmelite spiritual director too, especially about Carmelite customs, Carmelite saints, and suggestions for navigating their prayer life (such as mental prayer and the Divine Office).  Hope that's helpful.  Blessings to you!

[SilentJoy]

This was the advice a Carmelite Prioress gave me: "Whatever you do...DON'T read 'My Beloved'!"

I said, "Too late."  :rotfl:

 

They won't be judging you based on the extent of your knowledge, but on who you seem to be as a person. Ask as many questions as come up (they most likely loooooove questions!) and try not to worry. They expect that you won't know how to act, and that's fine; they'll show you what to do if they think it is necessary.

 

[puellapaschalis]

Just go as you are and let them see you. They'll be as they are, so take them as is.

 

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

I was told once that the two most important things (haha, 'most') are:

1) Can you sleep ok?

2) Can you eat ok?

 

I'll stop shy of saying 'have fun', but just go and try it. That's what you're there for :)

[SilentJoy]

You might want to practice walking while reading at the same time...they will likely be having you do that. Then, if you figure that trick out, come back and tell me how to do it, 'cause I just look drunk when I try...  :rotfl2:

[brandelynmarie]

Just go as you are and let them see you. They'll be as they are, so take them as is.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

I was told once that the two most important things (haha, 'most') are:
1) Can you sleep ok?
2) Can you eat ok?

I'll stop shy of saying 'have fun', but just go and try it. That's what you're there for :)

[maximillion]

Eats well.

Sleeps well.

Laughs well.

 

 

Goes for any variety of RL.

[Antigonos]

Eats well.
Sleeps well.
Laughs well.


Goes for any variety of RL.

Pretty much goes for life in general, IMO.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

Bring a notebook and write down everything you did and your thoughts on it. Write down ALL the good things and ALL the bad things. It really helps when keeping yourself grounded to be able to look back on it when you get home and see your thoughts on it all in that moment.

 

Don't forget to stay completely open. If God isn't calling you there, that is just as important of a discovery as realizing that God IS calling you there. No time you spend there will be a waste.

 

Remember your present vocation and don't get to hung up on the future! God will show you in good time. :)

[Lady-Indis]

Spend a good amount of time in the chapel! That's what I ended up doing when I visited the Poor Clares. And remember to ask lots of questions about the lifestye, schedule, etc!

[beccasmiles89]

Ooh yay, thank you all so much!!! I love all of your ideas and definitely plan to keep them in mind when I visit the sisters next month! I'm both excited and nervous, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the sisters again and experiencing more of their lifestyle, schedule, etc.

[Lady-Indis]

I'll pray for you ;) I know the roller-coaster of emotions that comes with visiting!

[SilentJoy]

Bring some spiritual reading, too; otherwise, perhaps you could borrow from the Novitiate. 

 

Don't forget sensible shoes - some for chapel, and some for work (and hopefully they don't go "Clonk" or "Squeak" in an otherwise silent room). It is September, so surely there will be some outdoor work they can foist upon you. :hehe2:

 

Maybe something to snack on just in case the meals are farther apart than you're accustomed to.

[Lady-Indis]

If you do fancywork (i.e. knitting, crocheting, etc) bring it too!  If the sisters are working thru recreation, you might want to have your hands busy too.

[Feankie]

Idle hands are the, em........whose playground?

[SNJM]

Pay attention to the food. It becomes more important than one would imagine (after the novelty wears off). It's not just about the taste, but how it is prepared and served. Also, if you can, take notice of how the infirm are cared for and how the elderly relate to you. How Communities tend to treat the most vulnerable (just as in "real" life) says everything you need to know - the young, fledging - and the older, waning. Many prayers for you!!!