Rewriting My Carmelite Story About St. Philomena

[Teresa Mary]

Hi All,

 

  I just joined this Forum, so I honestly don't know where to post this topic.  I was hoping someone could help me out with details for a Carmelite novel I'm rewriting from memory; I wrote the story when I was 15 and the person reading it was never able to return it.  I'm in the middle of Chapter 3 at present.  The story is set in 12th Century Spain, and yet uses St. Teresa of Avila's Carmels.  Its been fun for me writing the novel this way, without being too bored sticking strictly to historical facts and dates.  However, I do want to get the different parts of the Carmelite habit and the Carmelite monastery correct in my story (i.e. - what is the room called where the Sisters speak to visitors behind the grille, what do they say when answering the door for visitors, etc.)  I have the advantage of the internet now that I didn't have back then; however, I haven't been able to visit a Carmel since Christmas in 2009 and I forgot what everything's called.  Thanks in advance for any help!

[brandelynmarie]

:welcome: I would begin using the search on here or google phatmass + Carmelites. We have many recent threads on here concerning Carmel & its customs & such. :) But I can answer that the place for a nun to visit family in a convent or monastery is usually called the parlor.... :nun:

[brandelynmarie]

I forgot to mention that could ask to have this thread moved to Vocation Station or start a new one & post any questions you may have...we have very knowledgeable pholks over there ;)

[RoseOfGuadalupe]

When I visited the Carmel of the Holy Cross, they called the room where they visited with visitors the grille room or the grate room. But I've heard some people call it the parlor room

[Teresa Mary]

Great, thanks for the wonderful responses!  I just recently got in touch with the mother of a new Carmelite last month and we've been chatting rather extensively.  She, too, is helping me for the story.  I just mailed a letter this afternoon to the Prioress of the Carmel her daughter entered (in Valparaiso), so I'm looking forward to some good chatting and correspondence.  In the meantime, I will keep searching this Forum and watching this thread.  Thanks again!