New Community?

[HisChild]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='17 August 2009 - 10:56 PM' timestamp='1250575017' post='1951767']
No, you didn't misunderstand. I would rather talk, in-person, to the individual or group that I would be handing my ideas over to.

God bless.
[/quote]


Ah. I see. I have often thought of founding a community. I have ideas on paper, ones that since I'm not to the point of sounding articulate (and of course through prayer, making sure this is what our Lord wants of me) I've not shared with others or joined any Founders group to discuss. I've got Horarium, habit, charism/prayer focus, etc. in my heart and mind. I just thought that seeing a similar thought come across the forum, well it piqued my curiosity. The Spirit sure does move as He wills, doesn't He?

Pax.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='HisChild' date='18 August 2009 - 02:14 AM' timestamp='1250576054' post='1951773']
Ah. I see. I have often thought of founding a community. I have ideas on paper, ones that since I'm not to the point of sounding articulate (and of course through prayer, making sure this is what our Lord wants of me) I've not shared with others or joined any Founders group to discuss. I've got Horarium, habit, charism/prayer focus, etc. in my heart and mind. I just thought that seeing a similar thought come across the forum, well it piqued my curiosity. The Spirit sure does move as He wills, doesn't He?

Pax.
[/quote]

Yes, I know what you mean. I would feel absolutely silly joining a "Founders" group when I have no intention of becoming a Founder. I'm not even sure that God is calling this order into being. Sometimes I think it was just a romantic notion I had.

I'm in agreement that the Holy Spirit moves us.

Edited August 18, 2009 by MaterMisericordiae

[VeniteAdoremus]

I have mused about founding a house of my community in my country (well, let's be honest, in my birth city ), even to the point of where we could live, the horarium, and the apostolate But as I am to be member #9, that won't be happening for a while...

It [i]is[/i] fun though, cycling past a random building and thinking how marvellous a convent it would make

[Gemma]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='18 August 2009 - 03:25 AM' timestamp='1250576710' post='1951774']
Yes, I know what you mean. I would feel absolutely silly joining a "Founders" group when I have no intention of becoming a Founder. I'm not even sure that God is calling this order into being. Sometimes I think it was just a romantic notion I had.

I'm in agreement that the Holy Spirit moves us.
[/quote]

If it comes into being--that's God's business. Our part of the deal is to be the mouthpiece, then get out of His way.

We have founders' supporters on the group, also. That's why it's called "founders and friends."

Your reaction is showing your "maternal instincts" for your "child." I see the Spirit moving in this--He is instructing you in what I've tried to say myself.

"Fostering" a charism is not a new concept--at least not to me and Cloister Outreach. I've had a few aspiring founders wanting to hand over their charisms for us to "foster." One of them has terrible fibromyalgia, and her health won't permit her to be that fully involved.

What a lot of folks aren't understanding is that those who read those proposed charism websites will realize the match within their souls, and the Seven Pillars will have contributions from the founding members. Not all of it comes from the Promoter (the Church's word for founder).

HisChild--what you could have is an eremitical plan of life. Perhaps you're being called to diocesan hermit, with the possibility of a commmunity forming afterwards. Of course, that's just an assumption, as I've heard nothing of what you have written.

Joining founders groups is a particular stage of emergence. Some join earlier than others, and some become founders in spite of themselves, having joined only to support emerging charisms.

MM--I am here for the face-to-face. You only have to request it. Please feel free to contact me at foundress2003@yahoo.com

Blessings,
Gemma

[tnavarro61]

[quote]The biggest problem we emerging founders are encountering is this "are you official" stuff.[/quote]
I can understand your frustation, Gemma, but people has the right to know if the "emerging group" is recognized. Recognition is very important. The group must have recognition papers, etc. even if it just growing, or not yet officially founded. The diocese has the right to know, since as a body, it has to take care of every part. It might be very alarming for them if someone founding a new order is claiming to be in their diocese. What if you're the superior of a community, and without your knowledge, a group of your members are starting a "Renewal of your group" without your knowledge, and they are advertising. How would you feel? It that were me, I would feel very bad.

[quote]If being official is so important, discern with "official" communities (established). Those who are called to a new foundation often feel within that they are to be part of something new.[/quote]
We must encourage discerners first to discover about established communities first. Like wine, orders become better as time goes by. If they are to be in a newly organized, unofficial and unrecognized order, they will not be able to experience what all religious have experienced. And if the new order disappoints them, that would be very unjust for the discerner and she may think that all religious are like that. NEw communities are still learning, and it would be very frustating for discerners. I do not discourage vocations to new communities.

[quote]What the OSMM did was attempt to get the diocesan Chancellor to acknowledge them as a private association of the faithful, and he wouldn't even do that. He told them there are other choices for women such as secular institutes (check the age limits, dear Rev. Mr.).[/quote]
I think this is a test of fire. If they persevere, they will survive, and if not and went the other way, it would be very difficult.

[quote]The OSMM were going on retreat, and the retreat mistress, the former vicar for religious, told them that acknowledgement would be required before real veils could be worn.[/quote]
Acknowledgment = recognition

[quote]Please note that a bishop cannot constitute a private association of the faithful--he can only acknowledge it. And before he acknowledges it, he has to know what they're all about, so it makes no sense to go to a bishop with only an idea in one's head. That wastes everybody's time.[/quote]
This is of course true, a common sense. Now if the new order (not the OSMM)accepts postulants, aspirants, etc, don't you think it would be the time to ask for recognition? If the order (again not the OSMMs) has come to accepting postulants, I think it's no longer just an idea.

[quote]I've advised the OSMM to let go and let God. They shouldn't be in a hurry for the piece of paper. They have to let the charism grow first, and show the diocese that they are doing good. They are living their rule, sans habit, and are starting their apostolates. The Spirit will let them know when it's time to go back to the Chancery.[/quote]
Surrender is the highest form of wisdom. But what do you mean by sans habits?

Regarding religious habits, an unofficial order must not wear habits first. It would be very misleading. I know of the Daughters of Saint Joseph. I don't know what happened to them but they didn't wear the habits first, but has a plan of wearing one after being official.

[quote]
Thomas--I am trying my best to answer your questions. Perhaps George on Catholic Vocations Asia could help with translation or concepts.[/quote]
I want to say that I am quite insulted with this one. I can understand English but you seem not to understand what I am asking, and you answer other things that are not related.

Peace.

[Gemma]

My spiritual director is the former president and vice president of the defunct Fellowship of Emerging Religious Communities. Our Founders groups are an indirect replacement of that group, as it did have a function. I'm not sure what caused it to fold.

Our directors have told us to have everything down on paper, and live the life before approaching the Chancery. What the bishop will ask is whether or not this charism has enhanced one's life with the Lord, and if others are edified by what you're doing.

Our Cloisterite Hermits are working with the Diocese of Charlotte, NC, through a canonist who is also a hermit. We are an "official" project, and are known to the bishop. Emerging charisms work with canonists who in turn represent them before the bishop.

I was not trying to insult you, Thomas, only trying to help.

"Sans habits" means without habits.

There are different levels of recognition. The foundress of the OSMM has registered with Phatmass, but is awaiting the magical tenth post before she can post in defense of her charism. I think it would be imprudent to go any further with this discussion until she can be consulted.

As I said, those who are moved by the Spirit to inquire about emerging charisms will do so even with your strident campaign against them, which is actually in violation of canon 605. If the bishop is to be a nurturing father to emerging charisms, then then the faithful are to be nurturing as well.

Blessings,
Gemma

[tnavarro61]

[quote]As I said, those who are moved by the Spirit to inquire about emerging charisms will do so even with your strident campaign against them, which is actually in violation of canon 605. If the bishop is to be a nurturing father to emerging charisms, then then the faithful are to be nurturing as well.[/quote]

Going back to the posts, [b]it seems to me that the focus is not on the charism of OSMM.[/b] No one questions the charism of OSMM. Sorry but this is the reality: the posts were taken far from the original topic.

Mother Teresa, when she started her community, wrote to her bishop to discern her vocation as a founder. I was asking about the way of founding, [b]not the charism.[/b]

Are there anyone here who are campaigning against inquiry on emerging charisms

Edited August 18, 2009 by tnavarro61

[VeniteAdoremus]

I have a strong preference for new foundations that come out of old ones, cf. the Missionaries of Charity, the new Franciscan communities, the Ann Arbor Dominicans, and the founding sisters of the Adoratrices. Or, like the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel's Hope now and the Brothers of St. John in the 70's, a year-long novitiate with an existing community. Starting entirely "on your own" is something for dire circumstances only.

Of course the Holy Spirit moves in people, and the Lord often equips the called rather than calling the equipped, but there is a reason why hermits have always been an important but small part of the religious life. For the overwhelming majority, formation under a novice master/mistress is what we need.

There are hundreds of communities in the Church, with hundreds of charisms, and much variation within communities (I can take my own future community as an example, which has sisters ranging from Charismatic to Chartres-walking).

So yes, I would discourage people who are starting their discernment to look at emerging charisms, until they have taken a good long look at existing communities. There [i]are[/i] communities that take women of higher ages. There [i]are[/i] communities that take women with physical difficulties. You might have to look beyond the borders, but that's not limited to people of "special needs". I know of two Dutch novices in France, four simply professed in Rome, two aspirants in England (not counting myself)... all under 35.

I do believe that there are people with a genuine call to the hermit life. I consider one of them a good friend. And I mean no disrespect to those who have difficulty finding a community that fits them. But then I read for example about how happy Sr. Michael Maria is, and I can't help but think some people are missing out. Which is something that upsets me, hence the passionate post. I'm truly sorry if I upset anyone, and I might eat my words later, but I do stand behind them.

[Gemma]

[quote name='tnavarro61' date='18 August 2009 - 09:42 AM' timestamp='1250599332' post='1951821']
Going back to the posts, [b]it seems to me that the focus is not on the charism of OSMM.[/b] No one questions the charism of OSMM. Sorry but this is the reality: the posts were taken far from the original topic.

Mother Teresa, when she started her community, wrote to her bishop to discern her vocation as a founder. I was asking about the way of founding, [b]not the charism.[/b]

Are there anyone here who are campaigning against inquiry on emerging charisms
[/quote]

Groundwork for the Seven Pillars of New Foundations:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Founders_and_Friends/message/263

In the search box at the top of the post, enter "seven pillars" and you'll be taken to that particular post.

The archives are public, so you can browse.

HTH.

Blessings,
Gemma

[HisChild]

[quote name='Gemma' date='18 August 2009 - 07:12 AM' timestamp='1250604734' post='1951835']
Groundwork for the Seven Pillars of New Foundations:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Founders_and_Friends/message/263

In the search box at the top of the post, enter "seven pillars" and you'll be taken to that particular post.

The archives are public, so you can browse.

HTH.

Blessings,
Gemma
[/quote]


Gemma,

I read this message, thank you for posting it. Where does it come from? Is it from Canon Law, the Catechism, etc?

[HisChild]

[quote name='VeniteAdoremus' date='18 August 2009 - 07:09 AM' timestamp='1250604561' post='1951832']

So yes, I would discourage people who are starting their discernment to look at emerging charisms, until they have taken a good long look at existing communities. There [i]are[/i] communities that take women of higher ages. There [i]are[/i] communities that take women with physical difficulties. You might have to look beyond the borders, but that's not limited to people of "special needs". I know of two Dutch novices in France, four simply professed in Rome, two aspirants in England (not counting myself)... all under 35.

I do believe that there are people with a genuine call to the hermit life. I consider one of them a good friend. And I mean no disrespect to those who have difficulty finding a community that fits them. But then I read for example about how happy Sr. Michael Maria is, and I can't help but think some people are missing out. Which is something that upsets me, hence the passionate post. I'm truly sorry if I upset anyone, and I might eat my words later, but I do stand behind them.
[/quote]

I believe in my heart that I am called to Carmel. Whether that's as a Lay Carmelite, a Carmelite hermit, or within an existing community who's to say? I'm not actively looking with much zeal yet as I have debt and still in my initial prayer stages in discerning again. In the past, I've been the foolish bride, trying to mold my vocation to what *I* want, rather than listening to God and giving myself unreservedly (and for the most part, it was unconscious, but done nonetheless). I've always known I've been called to Carmel, but have been a bit too afraid to make that jump. I'm a very intelligent woman, but apparently in this arena, my (listening to God) learning curve has been steep. In the past year, I've finally accepted His saying to me to do HIS will instead of my own.

For me I don't feel a call to eremitic life because I can't find a community to fit me. I do feel called to a more eremitic existence than most cenobitic communities, including many Carmelite communities, allow. On paper many profess to do their work in their cell, pray in their cell to be alone with the Great Alone. In practice many say with the running of the monastery and the various times a day they meet in common, that semi-eremitic existence isn't as profound as one would think. With my previous postulant experiences, I can attest that sometimes it's difficult to 'hear' God amidst even the noise of other sisters (and I don't simply mean the noise of conversation or rattling the pots and the pans).

I have no issue with traveling to another country to enter Carmel. My thought is, with my advancing age (in my late 30s) by the time I'm debt free, I won't be accepted to most communities here. And I know I'm not unique. My ideas of foundation include wanting to bring about a community that isn't so rigid in age requirements here in the States to include those in the same boat as myself. And to be quite honest, I have read some superiors' words that with age comes 'too much independence' which is why they have those restrictions. Actually with age comes (one hopes) a deeper spiritual maturity that, for some, was not there when they were young... that stripping away of romantic notions of what religious life is about, etc. and only the desire to be set aside for our Lord alone remains.

When Annie/Sr Michael Maria left for Carmel in the UK, some posters commented about the US losing another vocation. Can we not be a sign of our times and change that? Actually, and it's in its very infancy, but I met up with a woman who, along with a couple others, are attempting to do just that. I don't know how many but a few were in Carmel, left because of some political unrest within the community and are trying to found a more eremitic Carmel, one that among other things is a little more lenient on age requirements. I don't know how that will fare, so I keep them in prayer.

I'm still waking so I may not have made sense. And now I'm off to work. Have a blessed day.

[Gemma]

[quote name='HisChild' date='18 August 2009 - 11:19 AM' timestamp='1250605197' post='1951838']
Gemma,

I read this message, thank you for posting it. Where does it come from? Is it from Canon Law, the Catechism, etc?
[/quote]

The purpose of the canonist is to interpret canon law. I got the Seven Pillars from our canonist, and the groundwork is what other founders, including myself, have gone through. I passed it by my SD, who, like I said, was involved in the leadership portion of the FERC, and he had no objections to what I wrote.

Fr. Gambari's book also has things spelled out, but you have to read his work very slowly and allow it to digest, or it makes no sense whatsoever. My only objection to his book is that he doesn't give any concrete examples.

HTH.

Blessings,
Gemma

[HisChild]

[quote name='Gemma' date='18 August 2009 - 07:55 AM' timestamp='1250607315' post='1951853']


HTH.

Blessings,
Gemma
[/quote]


What is "HTH"? I've come up with a ton of acronyms that I'm sure do not match what you mean by yours.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='HisChild' date='18 August 2009 - 11:08 AM' timestamp='1250608104' post='1951861']
What is "HTH"? I've come up with a ton of acronyms that I'm sure do not match what you mean by yours.
[/quote]


I think it means "Hope this helps."

[Gemma]

[quote name='VeniteAdoremus' date='18 August 2009 - 11:09 AM' timestamp='1250604561' post='1951832']
I have a strong preference for new foundations that come out of old ones, cf. the Missionaries of Charity, the new Franciscan communities, the Ann Arbor Dominicans, and the founding sisters of the Adoratrices. Or, like the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel's Hope now and the Brothers of St. John in the 70's, a year-long novitiate with an existing community. Starting entirely "on your own" is something for dire circumstances only.

Of course the Holy Spirit moves in people, and the Lord often equips the called rather than calling the equipped, but there is a reason why hermits have always been an important but small part of the religious life. For the overwhelming majority, formation under a novice master/mistress is what we need.

There are hundreds of communities in the Church, with hundreds of charisms, and much variation within communities (I can take my own future community as an example, which has sisters ranging from Charismatic to Chartres-walking).

So yes, I would discourage people who are starting their discernment to look at emerging charisms, until they have taken a good long look at existing communities. There [i]are[/i] communities that take women of higher ages. There [i]are[/i] communities that take women with physical difficulties. You might have to look beyond the borders, but that's not limited to people of "special needs". I know of two Dutch novices in France, four simply professed in Rome, two aspirants in England (not counting myself)... all under 35.

I do believe that there are people with a genuine call to the hermit life. I consider one of them a good friend. And I mean no disrespect to those who have difficulty finding a community that fits them. But then I read for example about how happy Sr. Michael Maria is, and I can't help but think some people are missing out. Which is something that upsets me, hence the passionate post. I'm truly sorry if I upset anyone, and I might eat my words later, but I do stand behind them.
[/quote]

Spiritual directors usually steer their directees away from emerging charisms, until they see exactly what's going on.

In our conditions for application for the Cloisterite hermits, I state specifically that a perusal of other orders is required before making application with us. This will help with their future training in getting familiar with other charisms. I also encourage other founders to suggest this to their vocational inquiries.

Charisms emerge because there is need of them. Because of the dearth of vocational opportunities for women over 30, emerging charisms are where they're going. This is the main reason for the OSMM.

The biggest obstacle to overcome with an emerging community is getting the first aspirant band trained. Those who train to be hermits usually make arrangements with another hermit to receive the particulars of hermit life. They can also spend some time in a cloister. We have to establish a novitiate, but as to whether or not that is before or after the initial aspirant band receive their hermit-specific formation is beyond me at this time.

The four basic tenets of Cloisterite life are: reparation with Mary and "in her place"; the cloisters and their vocations; emerging charisms and their vocations (which includes eremitical--each hermit is their own charism unless it's a charism like ours); and the work of Cloister Outreach.

HTH.

Blessings,
Gemma

[Gemma]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='18 August 2009 - 12:10 PM' timestamp='1250608234' post='1951863']
I think it means "Hope this helps."
[/quote]

Yes, it does. Thanks, MM.

Blessings,
Gemma

[HisChild]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='18 August 2009 - 08:10 AM' timestamp='1250608234' post='1951863']
I think it means "Hope this helps."
[/quote]


Ahhhh, that wasn't one I was thinking. Thank you.

[TradMom]

+Praised be Jesus Christ!

I have not yet read through this entire thread properly...in fact, I just finished scanning it. However, I would like to add my one cent.

We as a Church continue to evolve, just as we as a people do. I find this conversation fascinating.

Pax!

TradMom

[Thomist-in-Training]

When St. Louis de Montfort realized that he needed to found the Daughters of Wisdom, he saw clearly that Sr. Marie Louise was to be the first. So he told her what kind of dress to make and what work to do, and for eight years or so she was the first Daughter of Wisdom all by herself while he was traveling France preaching. That's a fairly unusual way for a religious community to begin, it seems to me, but she had been living with a group of women in the poorhouse who practiced a horarium of prayer and works of charity before that, and St. Louis [i]knew [/i]by inspiration that she was to be the first sister. Isn't that interesting? I read that last month in a chapter book, "St Louis: Our Lady's Slave."

[Indwelling Trinity]

[quote name='HisChild' date='18 August 2009 - 11:46 AM' timestamp='1250606776' post='1951848']
I believe in my heart that I am called to Carmel. Whether that's as a Lay Carmelite, a Carmelite hermit, or within an existing community who's to say? I'm not actively looking with much zeal yet as I have debt and still in my initial prayer stages in discerning again. In the past, I've been the foolish bride, trying to mold my vocation to what *I* want, rather than listening to God and giving myself unreservedly (and for the most part, it was unconscious, but done nonetheless). I've always known I've been called to Carmel, but have been a bit too afraid to make that jump. I'm a very intelligent woman, but apparently in this arena, my (listening to God) learning curve has been steep. In the past year, I've finally accepted His saying to me to do HIS will instead of my own.

For me I don't feel a call to eremitic life because I can't find a community to fit me. I do feel called to a more eremitic existence than most cenobitic communities, including many Carmelite communities, allow. On paper many profess to do their work in their cell, pray in their cell to be alone with the Great Alone. In practice many say with the running of the monastery and the various times a day they meet in common, that semi-eremitic existence isn't as profound as one would think. With my previous postulant experiences, I can attest that sometimes it's difficult to 'hear' God amidst even the noise of other sisters (and I don't simply mean the noise of conversation or rattling the pots and the pans).

I have no issue with traveling to another country to enter Carmel. My thought is, with my advancing age (in my late 30s) by the time I'm debt free, I won't be accepted to most communities here. And I know I'm not unique. My ideas of foundation include wanting to bring about a community that isn't so rigid in age requirements here in the States to include those in the same boat as myself. And to be quite honest, I have read some superiors' words that with age comes 'too much independence' which is why they have those restrictions. Actually with age comes (one hopes) a deeper spiritual maturity that, for some, was not there when they were young... that stripping away of romantic notions of what religious life is about, etc. and only the desire to be set aside for our Lord alone remains.

When Annie/Sr Michael Maria left for Carmel in the UK, some posters commented about the US losing another vocation. Can we not be a sign of our times and change that? Actually, and it's in its very infancy, but I met up with a woman who, along with a couple others, are attempting to do just that. I don't know how many but a few were in Carmel, left because of some political unrest within the community and are trying to found a more eremitic Carmel, one that among other things is a little more lenient on age requirements. I don't know how that will fare, so I keep them in prayer.

I'm still waking so I may not have made sense. And now I'm off to work. Have a blessed day.
[/quote]

Dear His Child:

Praised be Jesus Christ!

I just came upon your post and read it with great interest. Myself with two other sisters are in the process of forming a Laura type Carmelite Monastery That will be open not only to younger and healthy vocations, but also to the more mature and those with less than perfect health. We have petitioned the Bishop through the Vicar of Religious to become a fledgling community as an Association of the faithful, the first step i being recognized as a community. The Vicar in our original talks was very encouraging.

Two of us have been in Carmel but like you we were looking for a greater eremitical expression while retaining a healthy communal aspect. Right now we have in place a basic daily horarium which we are slowly implementing. Slowly because we must go out for daily Mass and this involves going to different parishes as we are in the bible belt with few priests and catholic churches. This often require a bit of travel throwing the schedule off.

The way we have set up our horarium is in such as way that it will be neither to the detriment of either the younger vocations or those who are more mature or with some limiting disability. We are following the primitive rule of Saint Albert and adopting the Teresian constitutions. However, there would be two hermit days a week and for the rest of the week we would say Matins, Lauds, Vespers, and Compline in community while reserving the little hours to be said in the hermitage. The two hours of formal prayer although done at the same time, may be done in choir or the hermitage or outside. Recreation instead of the traditional two hours a day would be only one hour in the evening prior to Compline.

Each sister would live in a separate hermitage which the rule allows for. A frugal breakfast would be taken in the hermitage example bread and a hot drink. Dinner would be in common in silence while listening to spiritual reading and evening supper or collation depending on the time of year,would again be in the hermitage. Work would ideally be in the hermitage or outside the hermitage if needed example the cook, or those doing gardening etc.. but always alone except in a great need. Sundays, would be a day when we come together after Mass for chapter in common. We intend to maintain Papal enclosure and wear the traditional habit of Carmel. We wish to be traditional but flexible. However in safeguarding the hermit life there would be no TV or radio etc... As from experience in Carmel i have found these things to slowly creep in and become detrimental to the silence, prayer and the solitude of the hermitage.

We wish to be a little Carmel judging none and accepting of all, our vocation is to be alone with the Alone in silent supplication and immolation for priests and the world at large; a world that has all but forgotten the pre-eminence of God in it's life. And so we are to be silent witnesses of God by our life, love and example. This is the prophetical aspect of the Carmelite vocation to witness the kingdom of God.

The spirit of Carmel is one of simplicity and great detachment in order to cleave to God alone. However, this cleaving to God is a life long practice and so each day we put one foot in front of the other in often dark faith as we each walk our particular paths to the holy mountain. Yes it all sounds good on paper but it is in reality a very intense and sometimes difficult journey. However for the true Carmelite soul it is pure beauty, for he or she desires with deep longing to be tranformed into her beloved. It is a life time of humble silient immolation hanging on the cross with her beloved offering herself like Him for the ransom of many.

In order for such a community to be successful, first we need to follow the promptings of the spirit with abandoned hearts knowing that if it is God's will we will give it our all and if not we should be able to abandon it into his arms with a silent fiat to God's will just as Our lady uttered her fiat.

What is essential for a vocation like this is First and foremost to have the Call to Carmel and all that it involves, the ability to be teachable no matter what age one is even if it may take a little longer for some, to be able to live alone as well as in community, To desire to live in true love and humility in community and a great respect and forebearance for each other. To be loving but truthful with each other in charity.

It may be that many times it will be easier for a more mature vocation to adapt to the solitude of the hermitage. While those with some health problems may offer to God a sweet offering of praise in bearing their infirmities with love and patience. I have said many times before, we all get old, sick and eventually die but rather than being an obstacle, for the true contemplative these are but stepping stones to union with God.

The young will find no less of a challenge as they with joyful hearts walk the path of Carmel each day striving for greater union with Him whom they love. A carmelite is known from within, all other outside things are accidentals, a means to obtain that union with God.

On a more practical level, We have already spoken with our Vicar of religious who is going to set up a meeting with Our Bishop. We have in place already a basic formation program decided on with the help of our Carmelite Fathers both O.C.D.'s and O. Carm's. Right now we are living in my little house, little by little converting it into a monastery, laughing in miniature and i do mean miniature ! Yes we are starting in Poverty but are learning formally skills which will help to support us. An OCD Priest who founded one of the Father's deserts is helping us. The first thing he told me was not to get discouraged as the diocese often tries by fire new endeavors like this; such was His experience years ago. Finally, God won out!

I am sure i left a lot of things out especially about the spirituality of Carmel but this letter is long enough. One last word. I have recieved multiple requests for a community such as this. Eight women so far and also a number of men desiring the same lifestyle of the nuns. I have contacted two men interested in starting the male branch as I have my hands full already with the women and all the red tape involved. Also I am aware of one or two who know of this who are trying to derail this community but if it is God's will it will somehow succeed. I pray they may have a change of heart.

I gently ask the prayers of each of you that God may bring this little endeavor to fulfillment if it be his will.

tenderly in Our Mother of Carmel,

Indwelling Trinity