chrysostom Posted March 1, 2019 Posted March 1, 2019 (edited) If I'm not mistaken, even if one is entirely right about something, initiating debate about it is simply not permitted on Vocation Station. VS is intended to be a supportive community for those inquiring about religious life, as well as for anyone else who wants to stop by, and to that end, criticism and argumentation, interesting as that might be elsewhere, just have no place here. It seems the phorum redesign has taken away "sticky" posts which referred to that, but it seems relevant to bring that up here. Nunsuch, it's a beautiful video! 1790-1990! Some wonderful comments throughout. "The Monastery is a house of God . . . it's a place where your heart can feel at home . . . I think everybody has, somewhere in their heart, a place that's monastic. A place where God is sought and found . . . A monastery is also a sign. A sign that peace and living together are possible . . . A monastery isn't just a place, it's coming home to your own heart." How lovely. I also liked the bit about it being a paradise of infinite possibilities for a gardener! And the connections to gardening in the soul. And the comment that there's a "deep heartbeat of prayer resonating throughout the Church and we've been entrusted with that in a very special way as Carmelites." Thanks for posting it. I hope it resonates with some young women who...what else? want to find their heart. Edited March 1, 2019 by chrysostom
beatitude Posted March 1, 2019 Posted March 1, 2019 Grace, I hesitated to say anything more in this thread, as I don't want you to feel as if lots of people are piling on you and criticising you. I know it can feel that way when most people don't agree with something you've done. I also don't think you meant to be unkind. Most of us have probably put our foot in it on the Internet at sometime or other without really getting where we went wrong. I know I have. But I think it's important to try and understand what has happened here. Look at how Bonkira's reply to you made you feel. It hurts to be told that you've been uncharitable and unkind. I would flinch if anyone told me that, even if I thought they were correct. It's hard not to feel wounded because it's such a very personal thing. But think how much more hurt you would have felt if Bonkira had said to you, "You don't sound like a proper Catholic to me. I was quite frankly shocked and appalled when I read your comments. I don't think this should be allowed." Substitute 'Carmelite' for 'Catholic', and that's exactly what you've said about these nuns. Do you not see that you have been very personal in your comments about them? I don't think you meant to be unkind. I think you just lost sight of the fact that you were talking about real people. This is the big danger of focusing too heavily on the habit - we only see the clothes, and forget about the people. To draw another parallel, how would you feel if others here wanted to have a debate on whether you are a proper Catholic or not, and when you objected, they complained about being made to feel guilty just for having an opinion? Some things just aren't up for debate. Phatmass is first and foremost a discernment forum. People who aren't considering religious life and are just here out of friendly interest are welcome too, but our mission is to encourage discerners. They need a supportive climate, and habit debates don't help with that. With that in mind, I am going to close the thread, as I don't think this can be salvaged. If people would like to discuss the theological content of the sisters' video in a different thread (without referencing their clothes!), please feel free.
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