New Community?

[HisChild]

[quote name='Indwelling Trinity' date='20 August 2009 - 11:18 AM' timestamp='1250792335' post='1953264']
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.

[/quote]

Hello Indwelling Trinity!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Wow. It's funny how Providential our dear Lord is. I had typed out that post and almost closed out of Phatmass altogether without posting. That's so exciting about your petition. Once you're accepted as an Association of the Faithful, will you then be able to start accepting vocations?

[quote name='Indwelling Trinity' date='20 August 2009 - 11:18 AM' timestamp='1250792335' post='1953264']

Two of us have been in Carmel but like you we were looking for a greater eremitical expression while retaining a healthy communal aspect.

[/quote]

How many of you are there already?


[quote name='Indwelling Trinity' date='20 August 2009 - 11:18 AM' timestamp='1250792335' post='1953264']
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.

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I absolutely agree about the TV and radio. Even watching the news can be so distracting to silence. I've experienced watching TV once in the monastery. It seemed so loud and almost gaudy after the comparative silence.

[quote name='Indwelling Trinity' date='20 August 2009 - 11:18 AM' timestamp='1250792335' post='1953264']
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
[/quote]

That would be a blessing if a male community were nearby. Then you wouldn't need to go out for Mass... or at least, you wouldn't need to go far. With all the inquirers and you living in your own home still, how are you able to allow for vocations, or is that not feasible at this time? Have you imagined how you will be financially self sustaining or have you not gotten that far in the planning process? I'm sorry to hear about the detractors and will keep them in prayer that their hearts be turned.

It certainly sounds like a wonderful endeavor that our Lord will bring to fruition, if it be His Holy Will. You've certainly piqued my interest! As an aside, I have come across several women who are either consecrated hermits or are starting the process of forming lauras. It's a sign of the times, isn't it? The more technologically savvy our country, our world becomes, the more they push God out of their hearts and lives, the more there are those who wish to withdraw into the desert and pray for the salvation of the world.

I watch with love and hope as your plans flourish. I will certainly pray for you and ask for your prayers as I discern our Lord's Will to draw me deeper into Himself.

In His Sacred Heart,

HisChild

[Indwelling Trinity]

Dear His Child:

...And so you are! I am happy you did not close out of Phatmass. I will try to answer your questions.

Technically we can recieve vocations now but these first few will be founding members. You can't start a community of one! Laughing... can you imagine going to the Bishop and saying her is our community...me, myself and I ? we are thhree right now but i do not know if one willpersevere as she wishes an already founded community which is fine. Not everyone is made to make a foundation. We could add one more right now but they must be able to share in the poverty that we do not yet have hermitages. These things must develop one step at a time.

We do have a TV in the house but never watch it. I had gotten things for the house when my mother was staying with me for a bit a while back. I need to send the things up to her but am waiting to see what our financial needs may be before spending the money for moving men to move what needs to go back to my mom who lives up north.

We have a nurse who wishes to come once her contract is over but she will need to go out to work for a bit to pay off all of her schooling. However seit seems she wishes to be an extern sister so she may find some inexpensive housing nearby and share in her free time community with us.

As for the men, they wish to be brothers for the most part so as to be able to live the same enclosure but we are praying about that. We have started learning work that can be profitable for the community while allowing us to work in the hermitage. We are doing distance learning but i do not wish to go into particulars on line as all of this is a very delicate topic.

What i have already written to you is for vocations to know that there may be options for Carmel and a Carmelite Laura for those who for whatever reason cannot be accepted to a traditional one monastic building Carmel. Also to let others know who wish to have more solitude than a traditional Carmel may offer while still retaining a healthy communal aspect but not as intense. Te stress would be more towards the eremetical aspects of Carmel. Neverhteless the virtue does not grow in a vacuum and so community helps not only in retaining a healthy Physical and psychological balance but also helps us to practice the virtues that we have culled in the silence of the hermitage.

Laughing... i do not worry to much about detractors this seems to be the status quo for newly founding communities. Not everyone will understand and that is OK. If it is God's work it will succeed despite those who are against it.

Yes this is a time for contemplatives. If you look back on the history of the church, whenever there have been great needs for change or renewal in the church you will seee many contemplative communities or persons pop up. I think that out of the contemplative life the church renews itself and from there you then see many apostolic works then begin to grow.

Even the resurgence of religious life now, you will notice a marked increase to more traditional communities. I believe part of it is backlash over the secularization of religious life but also it is a renewal of the Charisms of the holy spirit. There were many vocations who never ended up anywhere after the exodus of religious after the second Vatican Council. In addition to that young people called to religious life almost inherently desire to belong to a community that they feel is calling them to complete giving of oneself to Christ and His church. They want challenge and authenticity and in this era many want to belong to a tree with deeply rooted in spirituality and so God gives them great generosity of soul to belong only to Him. So in short yes i agree with you God is raising up many who wish to withdraw into silence and solitude to pray for a world who has forgotten to pray for itself and has lost the Presence of God.

I think slowly the church is experiencing a new spring after a long and protracted winter of the spirit. It is a wonderful thing to behold! I hope you do keep in touch His child. If you have any questions you would like to address privately please feel free to email me.

I ask God to bless you and lead you to your hearts desire and to give you every grace in responding to you calling to Carmel.

Tenderly in our Mother of Carmel,

Indwelling Trinity

Edited August 21, 2009 by Indwelling Trinity

[HisChild]

Oh my. God is the great Comedian isn't He?

I feel foolish, or tired, or slow, or a combination of all three.

Because they are doing some upgrades on the Phatmass Phorum, we aren't able to access personal profiles. I know because I tried accessing yours when I read your first posts to me. I even started a topic over in open mic asking what was going on!

Something you wrote at first made me pause and I thought, 'wow, look another Carmelite laura!' I was so excited to see another group of souls on fire for the love of the Lord in this wonderful Carmelite charism. I just didn't connect the dots. But now that you've written this post... I'm stunned and quite sure you are one and the same sister I've been writing to.

I um... I think I'm that nurse you spoke of. Although, perhaps I'm not. I'm sure I'll feel silly if it's just coincidence. Although as a former Spiritual Director liked to say, There is no such thing as coincidence, only God-incidence.

I have been in contact with a sister who's starting a Carmelite laura. I asked to perhaps start out as an extern as I had debt to pay off first, but my heart is 100% for the cloister.

Could it be?

[Indwelling Trinity]

Laughing hard here... I think it is! Well how are ya?

Small world!

[HisChild]

Oh how funny! I'm well. I've thought of little else since our last email.

I'm so excited to see you here and hope you find much support here for your laura. I for one am unbelievably ecstatic, as I'd been writing in my journal about just that very concept when I 'met' you on that other group. It was as if I prayed to our Lord that there be a more eremitic Carmelite community... and then you write!

God bless you.

HisChild

[Indwelling Trinity]

Dear His Child:

I do not have time to write long s we have to go for mass, But please write me and let me jnow how you are. You have my e mail

tenderly

Indwelling Trinity

[SrMagnificat]

Well, it has taken me a while to rise to the level that allows me to post here, but I hope interest in our charism hasn't completely waned. I am the aspiring foundress of The Oblate Sisters of Mary Magdalene. We are very busy, living our way of life and completely forgot about this thread. Anyway, if anyone has any questions, I will be most happy to fill in what I can.

+May God bless us with wisdom, knowledge and discernment+
Sr. Magnificat/Iris Marie<><

[babygirl]

sr magnificat,what are your plans really? i have looked at your website,i just didnt get the gist of it.