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The Order Of Mt. Carmel


HeavenlyCalling

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[quote name='HeavenlyCalling' post='1157718' date='Jan 6 2007, 06:52 PM']
They do look like a wonderful community, but I think someone mentioned that they already had 20 members, which means that they will most likely be full by the time I am ready to enter, maybe I am confusing them with someone else though...
[/quote]

Actually, that was the Carmelites in Iron Mountain, Michigan, which is an awesome community, very very similar to Buffalo, though they don't have the full Office in Latin .. [url="http://religiouslife.com/vocsearch/search.phtml?view=d&my_id=165&criteria=d"]http://religiouslife.com/vocsearch/search....&criteria=d[/url]

The St. Louis Carmel was the first Carmel I visited back in 2002. I really liked the sisters and the beautiful old monastery. However, I learned a few months after visiting them about the different Constitutions of the OCDs, and decided to stick with the ones that follow the 1990's, as I was posting about before. The St. Louis Carmel follows the 1991's. One thing about them is that they do read a lot of writings of Carol Houselander. I am not sure if she is a liberal writer or not. When I was there the Reverend Mother lent me a cassette to listen to of the book, [i]Reed of God[/i], about Our Lady. The part I heard I remember was incredibly beautiful and very spiritual. I didn't hear anything that sounded off. But since then, I've heard that her writings are considered more liberal, and not part of the general list of good orthodox books to read. Does anyone else know more on this?

But I did really like the sisters who spoke to me at the grill there. Their grill has one grill, while the 1990 Carmels will all have a double set of grills - a minor detail, but it's something some of the 1990s told me, that was not changed after VII. The nuns at the St. Louis Carmel do wear the full habit, and have a beautiful old monastery though. They aren't as traditional as a community like Buffalo though. I do like them however, and their daily adoration .. But again, I've decided to stick with the 1990s if I consider entering a Carmel again, if it's the Lord's will ..

Edited by Margaret Clare
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Margaret Clare. ..I'm wondering what it is about the 1990s communities, other than the fact that they have changed little, if at all from V II, that has made you decide to consider them alone. . .just curious, since I too have a Carmelite heart, and like to hear other's journeys.

God bless,
D.

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1. Because they're directly under the Holy Father instead of the Carmelite Friars, of which some became more liberal after VII. It was the friars who desired the Carmels to form federations and have meetings outside the enclosure. But St. Teresa wanted to her nuns to have strict enclosure. Some of the 1991 Carmels aren't part of federations like this, and not that all of those in the federations aren't good Carmels either, or unorthodox in any way. Many of them are associated with the IRL. But I would rather be in a Carmel that is very strict on the enclosure, only going out for things like medical necessities. It just feels a lot more secure being directly under the Holy See than under the Friars, as often with liberalism comes loss of respect and appreciation for the cloistered contemplative vocation.

2. From reading the history about how the nuns strove hard to see that the old Constitutions were approved, including St. Maravillas - and how the Buffalo Carmelites had been fervently praying for this up until 1990.

3. I believe the Reverend Mother has more power in directing the community than the 1991 Carmels, who give more of the decisions to the chapter vote. So if a 1991 Carmel had a few sisters with ideas to change this or that, it could happen. But with the Mother more in charge in the 1990 Carmels, and with their older Constitutions, change really isn't going to happen. For instance, I do remember the Novice Mistress at a 1991 Carmel saying they were most probably going to not be using the discipline anymore on Fridays. She said this after I mentioned seeing an Opus Dei priest. I think Opus Dei is generally a very good and orthodox organization for the laity and its priests are usually always great. They do emphasize mortification, but not to great extremes, but in little things. But some people really don't like Opus Dei's focus on mortification - but that's the Christian life! That's what Our Lady asks for in Lourdes & Fatima.

These are the few reasons I can think of now .. But actually another reason, though less important, that I decided to stick with only the 1990s, was because there are just so many Carmels in the US to choose from! I realized that many 1991s may be great, but at the same time, you can't only discern by the full habit. Having this list of the 1990 Carmels was a great way for me to narrow down all the options!

Edited by Margaret Clare
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The 1990s communities still use the discipline? LOL I remember meeting a girl who was discerning religious life, who was absolutely mortified that the PCC (or maybe OSC) community she visited, still used the discipline. To me. . .penance of one kind or another is part and parcel of religious life. This is only one example. Phooey, just living with different types of personalities can also be a penance! Ok I'm rambling. . .making a swift exit here!

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[quote name='Mary-Kathryn' post='1157116' date='Jan 5 2007, 09:26 PM']
What I found is that I had to start with biographies about St Teresa of Avila. Then I had to learn about Carmel, about the saints etc...Bit by bit I read Teresa's works. The Way of Perfection, her autobiography [I am reading again now] etc... Her writings weren't something I could read easily in one sitting. There's so much in every paragraph and the woman meanders all over the place too :o) [/quote] Yep, that's how I've been. And I haven't found her writings in any way a quick read myself. I'm focused on reading her works as a discernment at this point though, because I did enter a Carmel in 2003 after reading only a few chapters of her works. My dad had read all of her works of course, and wished I had too before entering. But I was quite anxious to enter right away. Anyway, now my dad has told me I need to read all of her works .. :j[quote]I personally prefer Father Kavanaugh's books because I've been told that his translations are very faithful. I have the collected works of Teresa of Avila volumes one and two that he did with Father Otilio Rodriguez. It kind of makes it easier for me to have all of her writings in a couple of books. If you ever get the chance watch the movie about her life that comes out on EWTN around Oct 15th of every year. It's absolutely beautiful.[/quote] Yeah, we have Fr. Kavanaugh's complete set here too. Yes, the [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=58176&st=20"]Teresa de Jesus series on EWTN[/url] is awesome!
[quote]Let me know about the Allison Peers biography. I'd like to hear what you think of her translation and if the read itself came easier to you. Goodness knows, I'm slow enough as it is![/quote] Yeah, I'll post something on this. Actually in this thread, I posted the same thing about visiting the Des Plaines Carmel and getting this Peers recommendations, and got a few great replies: [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=62471&st=20"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...62471&st=20[/url]



[quote name='HisChild' post='1157826' date='Jan 6 2007, 10:57 PM']
The 1990s communities still use the discipline? LOL I remember meeting a girl who was discerning religious life, who was absolutely mortified that the PCC (or maybe OSC) community she visited, still used the discipline. To me. . .penance of one kind or another is part and parcel of religious life. This is only one example. Phooey, just living with different types of personalities can also be a penance! Ok I'm rambling. . .making a swift exit here!
[/quote] ^_^

Edited by Margaret Clare
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[quote name='Emile James' post='1157641' date='Jan 6 2007, 04:49 PM']
sheesh,,if i was a women,,hmmm..you all certainly have lotsa options dwon there! :P

Are you looking for the one true Love of your life?
Applicants to our Carmel are single women 21-35 years of age.
For more information, you can contact us at:

Carmelite Monastery
27601 Highway 1
Carmel, CA 93923 (Monterey Bay)

(831) 624-3043

[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/ourbeg3.jpg[/img]
Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, Haifa Israel (CARMEL our beginnings)
------------
California
[img]http://www.monterey-carmel.com/Monastery18.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/v55.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/homepa1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/newbuilding.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/salve.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/commun1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.carmelitesistersbythesea.net/work.h4.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Wow, this Carmel looks great!

Seems like many of the Carmelite Monasteries in California were built in the old Spanish style ..

Edited by Margaret Clare
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[quote name='HisChild' post='1157676' date='Jan 6 2007, 03:25 PM']
:D: I like the edit! LOL I was GOING to write back NOT to edit it out because it's such a beautiful monastery. . .but then I sure did LIKE what you did with it! by the by, were you a Carmelite friar. . .you mention your Order. . .and I'm :idontknow:

Grazie!
[/quote]
hello, Grace, and to you Peace..
no i was in another large Order based in France, but not Carmelite, though ,(especially novitiate),we had a very Carmelite horarium/religious lifestyle-prayer life ( except the rising for 2 am matins), , and St. Little Therese as one of our patrons....and a Dominican type formation/Apostolate.. our Mystical Theology studies for 2 years was based on St. John of The Cross, and the Book of Revelation.
E-J.

Edited by Emile James
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Birgitta Noel

[quote name='Emile James' post='1157922' date='Jan 7 2007, 01:03 AM']
hello, Grace, and to you Peace..
no i was in another large Order based in France, but not Carmelite, though ,(especially novitiate),we had a very Carmelite horarium/religious lifestyle-prayer life ( except the rising for 2 am matins), , and St. Little Therese as one of our patrons....and a Dominican type formation/Apostolate.. our Mystical Theology studies for 2 years was based on St. John of The Cross, and the Book of Revelation.
E-J.
[/quote]

Not the Community of St. John?

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[quote name='HeavenlyCalling' post='1157718' date='Jan 6 2007, 04:52 PM']
They do look like a wonderful community, but I think someone mentioned that they already had 20 members, which means that they will most likely be full by the time I am ready to enter, maybe I am confusing them with someone else though...

Emile James, I was wondering, is the order you posted ( the one with the St. Theresa quote) in communion with Rome?
[/quote]
well, thats in discussion, they would say they are....one would have to write them, then the bishop, to get the latest story....their Chaplains as of last year, are not considered to be in Communion with the 'Conciliar Church', kinda SSPX, but they would beg to differ...:)

[url="http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/"]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/[/url]
[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/cellread.jpg[/img]

Edited by Emile James
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[quote name='HeavenlyCalling' post='1157407' date='Jan 6 2007, 08:51 AM']
Which Carmelites are these? Where from, I love the postulents outfits ( not that they really matter much, it's getting vain over sack cloth, I guess :P: ) and that cross is ginormous!
[/quote]


HI. I just wanted to also mention, since you liked the postulant's outfits. . .that the Carmel in Carmel, Ca also have very similar postulant's habits, only with a white veil. :)

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Divine_Mercy504

Hi! I know of a Carmel in Philadelphia that I don't think has been mentioned yet. Their website is: [url="http://home.att.net/~chorus/page4.html"]Carmelites of Philadelphia[/url] There are no pics of them on their website, but I have been there before and they are very traditional! Also, you can ask them to send you their book (I belevie it is called [i]Carmel of Philadelphia[/i] but I'm not sure). That book has a lot of pictures of them! They are really nice. Mother Barbara and the Novice Mistress, Mother Pio, are great!

God Bless,
Rachel

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[quote name='HisChild' post='1157950' date='Jan 7 2007, 01:27 AM']
HI. I just wanted to also mention, since you liked the postulant's outfits. . .that the Carmel in Carmel, Ca also have very similar postulant's habits, only with a white veil. :)
[/quote] same as Buffalo, too, with a white veil :j

and also Alexandria, SD & Brooklyn, NY

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Guest phatdaddy

I hope I am not :hijack: this thread..... I feel awkward asking this for obvious reasons, but you guys are so good and forgiving. :blush: Anyway....my question... Concerning third orders (lay), does membership or association need to be physical that is, in your area so that you can attend gatherings, experience fellowship and learn and live the Rule, or can the association be remote and more solitary? Does it have to be specific to a parish where the 3rd order is based?

I'm in the Houston area. Any OCD lay groups around?
Mr. Ray

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When I was a travel nurse, I was unable to be affiliated with any particular parish. So, I was doing my formation with one particular person, as an isolate. I heard that they are going away from that, now, but, if you'd like, if there are no OCDS parishes near you, I could find out, for you, the contact info for whoever you need to speak with regarding isolate formation, and of course, if it's still available.

God bless you.

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