Anyone considering Carmel?

[Marieteresa]

[quote name='All For Jesus' date='Oct 27 2005, 12:09 PM']I tend to agree with FutureNunJMJ, the majority of nuns I have met are full of joy, and I think that is partially because they are living out their vocation.
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wow, I am seconding that! I have yet to met a Rev. Mother whom hasn't been happy to hear from those discerning. Most of the nuns I have met where full of joy and one could see there love for Jesus beaming through.

In JM ST. Teresa

[jiyoung]

I have to say that all of the nuns I met at the Carmelite convent were wonderful, joy-filled people. They all had different personalities, of course--I encountered the "spicy" feisty type as well as gentle, soft-spoken types, but I found that they were all awesome. It must come from being really happy with your vocation--their formation is so long that I suppose you have a lot of time to really figure out if this is where you belong, so those who are there do belong there.

[zabbazooey]

[quote name='jiyoung' date='Oct 27 2005, 09:27 PM']I have to say that all of the nuns I met at the Carmelite convent were wonderful, joy-filled people. They all had different personalities, of course--I encountered the "spicy" feisty type as well as gentle, soft-spoken types, but I found that they were all awesome. It must come from being really happy with your vocation--their formation is so long that I suppose you have a lot of time to really figure out if this is where you belong, so those who are there do belong there.
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I am really confused about their formation process....can you explain it to me?

[jiyoung]

It follows the general formation process, as far as I can see...but you're required to take a one- or two-year period called candidacy before you enter postulancy. This is basically living as a lay person while learning the practices, traditions, etc. of the Carmelites, while allowing the sisters to get to know you better. The candidates live at the medical house in Duarte, CA. After the period of candidacy, you are able to apply for postulancy.

Next is postulancy, for a year. They live in community with the sisters at the motherhouse and go under more rigorous formation. One postulant, though, was telling me how a lot of it is more mundane things that you learn (etiquette lessons and the like), and you don't really get into Carmelite spirituality or anything for a while.

The next step is the novitiate, for two years--the second-year novices go on missions (I'm not quite sure what that entails, but I think it has something to do with going to the various apostolates the order has and working there). I believe it's just a continuation of the postulancy, the difference being that you receive a religious name and a white veil. The postulants and the novices live together in the novitiate and work together, have recreation together, do spiritual readings together, etc. etc. I think they have lessons based on how far they are in their formation.

After the second year of the novitiate you become a temporary professed sister, and then I think it takes almost six more years or something to take perpetual vows. It's a really long process, I think longer than most. I think the total time spent up to perpetual vows, not counting the candidacy, is about 10 years. I could definitely be wrong about this, though, since this is a very glancing knowledge of formation. You'll probably want to ask Sr. Mary Scholastica for more information about it.

[zabbazooey]

I'm so happy they have that candidacy! It makes you really know what you are getting yourself into!

[Marieteresa]

[quote name='zabbazooey' date='Oct 30 2005, 05:14 PM']I'm so happy they have that candidacy! It makes you really know what you are getting yourself into!
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Hey iam just wondering are we talking about active Carmelites here? I know that most of the cloisters don't have candidacy because they consider the postulate period the candidacy! I wish they had it though!!

In JM and St. Teresa

[zabbazooey]

Semi-contemplative

[daugher-of-Mary]

The Carmelites (cloistered) with which I will be entering (God willing!) have an up to three month live in...then you return home for a short period, and return to the Monastery to officially begin your postulancy.

[Marieteresa]

[quote name='daugher-of-Mary' date='Oct 30 2005, 08:46 PM']The Carmelites (cloistered) with which I will be entering (God willing!) have an up to three month live in...then you return home for a short period, and return to the Monastery to officially begin your postulancy.
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Which monastery will you be entering hon? Wow thats awesome I know a couple of places which dont have a live in. Are you going to be in the cloister? Because I know of many place which will not allow one to be in the cloister. I know Buffalo, Ada, Iron Mountain don't have a live in period.

In Jesus, Our blessed Mother and St. Teresa

[Totus Tuus]

Yeah I don't know of any Orders except the Lockport Dominicans where you can live in the cloister before entering...

[Susan]

I think there are quite a few Carmels that have you live in before...like Terre Haute, La Plata, and one in MIchigan but I don't remember the name.
All the Dominican cloisters have it obligatory.
I think Poor Clares have it but then you just stay on and become a Postulant.

I think someone on the phorum said that Lockport only has aspirancy if you are still in high school?/?

[daugher-of-Mary]

Holy Annunciation Monastery in Sugarloaf, PA!!

I'll have to put up some picture sometime, because they don't have a website!

[Marieteresa]

[quote name='daugher-of-Mary' date='Oct 31 2005, 07:44 AM']Holy Annunciation Monastery in Sugarloaf, PA!!

I'll have to put up some picture sometime, because they don't have a website!
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Praise be Our Lord Jesus Christ!!
WOW thats so cool!! When is your entrance?? What drew you to them? I contacted them but never heard back. How many sisters in the community? Where were they founded from? I am sorry for all the questions I am just really happy to know that someone else is entering the Carmelite Cloister!!

In Jesus, Our Blessed Mother and St. Teresa

[daugher-of-Mary]

Marie Teresa, sorry I missed you on AIM!!

I'm unsure yet when my entrance will be as I am struggling with somethings. lol. God's will be done!!!
There are 18 Sisters in the community (if I'm counting right!)...a few of them are here for formation, but will return to their native countries (India and Ukraine) after Profession.
The community was founded by M. Marija of the Holy Spirit and two other Sisters...all three were Latin Rite Nuns, but felt called to found an Eastern Rite Carmel. Along with the intentions of the salvation of souls and prayer for priests given to us by our very dear St. Teresa, the Sisters at Holy Annunciation have the added intention of praying for a heal in the rift between those in the East seperated from the authority of the Church and the West.
What drew me to them? Long story! lol. The short version is that I've felt called since before I was Catholic to become a Sister. When I finally turned my discernment over to God, He led me to the writings of St. Teresa...life changing! At the end of that summer, I made my first visit to Carmel (not thinking that I would like it at all!)...and well, you can imagine what happened! We have a Beloved full of surprises!
Pray for me, and know of my prayers, my Carmelite sister-to-be!

[Marieteresa]

Hey i am just wondering has anyone heard anything about the Mississippi and Louisiana Carmels? I had heard that they were both damaged and I think that the probably had to leave. So does anyone have any updates?


In Jesus, Our Blessed Mother and St. Teresa

Edited November 5, 2005 by Marieteresa

[Marieteresa]

Photos from the damaged Jackson Mississippi and Covington Carmels
It looks like the Covington Carmel was severly damaged...I am wondering if they will be asking for help soon to rebuild.

[url="http://ettinger.net/carmelcov/hkatrina.html"]Covington Carmel[/url]

The only picture I found of the Mississippi Carmel was on a Discalced Carmlites blog.

[url="http://oklahomaocdsviewnewsl.blogspot.com/2005/09/katrina-hits-jackson-nuns-sr.html"]Mississippi Carmel[/url]

Please keep them in your prayers as they try to rebuild

In Jesus, Our Blessed Mother and St. Teresa

[alicemary]

Thank you for these sites, I had not realized the Covington Monastery was so badly hit. They certainly need our prayers.
Alicemary

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

The poor Sisters! I pray they will be able to rebuild quickly!

[zabbazooey]

That is so unfortunate! Prayers for them!!!

[ofpheritup]

[quote name='ambrose' date='Oct 27 2005, 10:27 AM'](mind you, I've known lovely, sensitive charming nuns and awful mean rude secular people so it is not the best theory!! its just that in the honeymoon period of early  vocation discernment,  the negative aspects of community life are seldom discussed. Nuns can be nasty people, the joyful-happy-go-lucky caricature of Hollywood nuns is pure myth!!).

I don't know how I started on this tangent. Forgive me!
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NO AMBROSE you are right. Nuns are human. And they can be as "nasty" as the rest of us. I have had first hand experience of it.

There is no "magic wand." Who you are when you enter does not magically disappear. If you were rude before you will be rude after. You are going to have to work on it.

The reason I am addressing this is because the "myth" needs to be dealt with. While I am not trying to be "the bad guy" here those of you who are considering the religious life you need to understand what the life is and what it isn't.

It isn't an easy life, it isn't some place to hide because the "world scares you" or "someone hurt your feelings" or your parents have "guilted" you into entering or you don't think "anyone would ever marry you." There are some who haved entered for those reasons. Not everyone enters for the "right reason." Your reason may not be someone else's.

You will be sharing your life with HUMANS who laugh, love, eat and occasionally get sick, tired and or fluffy air extraction, argue and while they do love you are not necessarily going to agree with everything you say. Big

What it is, is a life filled with promise. You will be among some very dedicated people who struggle with who they are. Everyday is a new opportunity to serve. Some will do it well for that day, some not so well so they try again. BUT THEY ARE HUMAN.

No one floats, the work doesn't do itself. The food does not walk itself to the table. Physically, emotionally and spiritually you will be challenged in ways you never knew existed. Be ready to work or be ready to leave.

But yes, Priests, Monks, Nuns, Sisters, Deacons and all the rest of us struggle. We do the best we can day by day. We "fall down" and we get back up again. To think anything is else is just "foolishness."

Edited November 22, 2005 by ofpheritup