The Order Of Mt. Carmel

[HeavenlyCalling]

Yeah, they do, and not many orders seem to work in hospitals anymore, which I think is a pity.

[Chiquitunga]

Hey guys, I just came back from a visit to the Des Plaines Carmel near my home. It's a very nice Carmel. I'm not sure if it's where I'm called though.

I talked to the sister at the turn. I did ask her about recreation, and they do have 1 hour after lunch and 1 in the evening, where they are together and talk while doing some kind of work. She said all Discalced Carmels have these 2 recreations if they are following the Constitutions. All the Carmels I visited had this: St Louis, Iron Mt., Buffalo, Schenactady .. and the others I inquired about.

It may be that a few Carmels have differences that are under the 1991 Constitutions. I believe these constitutions give more freedom to the way of life. For instance, the Port Tobacco Carmel is under the 1991's has individual hermitages and the St. Louis Carmel, 1991, has daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

But I'm pretty sure, that this, the 2 hours of daily recreation in community, is a norm for all OCD Carmels, as this nun said, as it is written in their Constitutions. But I haven't read either the 1990's or the 1991's myself.

It was great to have sometime today to drive out there and visit. I told the sister about the Srs of Bethlehem and how I'm trying to discern whether I'm called to a life with more solitude or not. She said for discerning Carmel, it's best to read the works of St. Teresa, and to read the translation by Allison Peers, which is much better than the one by Kieran Kavanaugh, which are the ones I have. So I'm going to take her advice. She said you'll know if you're called to Carmel, if while reading St. Teresa's writing you find yourself saying, I have found my mother. :j

[Emile James]

[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/stteresa.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/salve.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/courtyard.jpg[/img]

[Mary-Kathryn]

[quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1157002' date='Jan 5 2007, 07:38 PM']
. She said for discerning Carmel, it's best to read the works of St. Teresa, and to read the translation by Allison Peers, which is much better than the one by Kieran Kavanaugh, which are the ones I have. So I'm going to take her advice. She said you'll know if you're called to Carmel, if while reading St. Teresa's writing you find yourself saying, I have found my mother. :j
[/quote]


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 )

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.

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!

[HeavenlyCalling]

[quote name='Emile James' post='1157094' date='Jan 5 2007, 10:10 PM']
[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/stteresa.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/salve.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.sistersofcarmel.org/pics/courtyard.jpg[/img]
[/quote]
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 : ) and that cross is ginormous!

[Emile James]

[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 : ) and that cross is ginormous!
[/quote]

haha 'ginormous' cute...
its from
Sacred Heart Carmelite Monastery, (non-federated)
Colorado Springs
They assist at Tridentine Liturgy, and 1962? books-Office i believe, and follow older Carmelite Constitutions..(1904 Constitutions approved by Pius X?), not accepting more recent constitutional reforms, like like the other 2 old Constitution carms (each one in Spain and France)
But, they are having a bit of 'problems' at the moment, because [u]there chaplains.[/u].practically next door, while not SSPX, are not in favour either with the local Bishop., not allowing local faithful to Communicate at the next door Community parish...yet the Carmelites themselves are still waiting for the 2005 request for official status from Rome.

Peace, and hope in Christ Jesus!
Emile-James.
pic unrel.
[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/164055936_3f05b06280.jpg[/img]

[she_who_is_not]

So, the nuns are ok? I know there has been lack of clarity regarding this community in the past.

[Emile James]

sheesh,,if i was a women,,hmmm..you all certainly have lotsa options dwon there!

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]

Edited January 6, 2007 by Emile James

[HisChild]

I visited this community last January. ..it really is a beautiful monastery. The chapel was FREEZING since it was right there on the ocean! It was a little. . .different of a visit for me since the community was ill at the time, and I didn't even meet the superior the entire time I was there. . . I was left on my own a lot of the time and when they moved their prayer time into the recreation room instead of the chapel. . .no one told me

I commented on how beautiful the ocean was and that perhaps they'd attract many vocation inquiries because of the location alone (not to say someone would enter because of that mind you. . .but inquiries alone). The novice mistress said. .'well the ocean might bring you here, but it sure won't keep you here' Would I consider them again? Sure. If that's what He wills. Back then, I suppose it wasn't what He willed.

God bless.

(BTW Emile, that top picture is actually the Carmel in Haifa Israel, not in CA. It's only on their website to show their history. )


In Him,
D.

[Emile James]

[quote name='HisChild' post='1157655' date='Jan 6 2007, 02:58 PM']
I visited this community last January. ..it really is a beautiful monastery. The chapel was FREEZING since it was right there on the ocean! It was a little. . .different of a visit for me since the community was ill at the time, and I didn't even meet the superior the entire time I was there. . . I was left on my own a lot of the time and when they moved their prayer time into the recreation room instead of the chapel. . .no one told me

I commented on how beautiful the ocean was and that perhaps they'd attract many vocation inquiries because of the location alone (not to say someone would enter because of that mind you. . .but inquiries alone). The novice mistress said. .'well the ocean might bring you here, but it sure won't keep you here' Would I consider them again? Sure. If that's what He wills. Back then, I suppose it wasn't what He willed.

God bless.

(BTW Emile, that top picture is actually the Carmel in Haifa Israel, not in CA. It's only on their website to show their history. )
In Him,
D.
[/quote]

wonderful, austerity, sacrifice of your will,even if the ocean is next door..sounds very French actually, where every church, chapel ,monastery is freeezing in winter, sometimes painfully so. I have never been able to speak with Abbots/Superiors, unless i have been there for more then an observing little retreat,only a second time or after talking first to a novice master/vocations director...trying to keep a fiddler through to superiors... actually i have found the more contemplative or 'alone' in dwelling, a community is, the less communicative with guests.and each other.about 'tasks' 'order'...in my former Order, as a Novice i sometimes discovered what was going on by being nosey, sometimes was forgotten about completely left uninformed of changes, so i missed things all together!!, leaving you to discover humility.and make mistakes,but .i guess doesn't help if everyone is sick..!, .
yes now i see that would be Haifa. ill edit it out..

[TeresaAvila]

Hello heavenlycalling, I dont' know if anyone has mentioned yet, but the Carmelite Nuns of St. Louis Missouri are a wonderful carmel, and they have adoration of the blessed sacrament from the morning following mass until the evening at benediction and each sister takes a turn adoring our lord throughout the day. They wear the traditional habit, and keep to the traditions of holy Mother St. Teresa, and they are such a lovely group too! You can visit their page and obtain contact information here: [url="http://www.stormpages.com/mtcarmel/"]http://www.stormpages.com/mtcarmel/[/url]

God Bless You!

[quote name='HeavenlyCalling' post='1090075' date='Oct 12 2006, 06:26 PM']
God has led me many places in this crazy thing called discernment, and now I feel he is calling me to the cloister. Being me, I want to make sure I visit a well-rounded selection of communities. I know of quiet a few cloistered Dominicans and Poor Claires I hope to visit soon ( i.e. when I get a job and thus the money to fly all over the US : : ) but I have very little information about Carmalite orders in the US. If anone knows some, I would very much like to know so I can check them out . Mostly, I would like very traditional orders, with the grill and full habit,and if at all possible, a website or e-mail adress I could work with. Thanks very much
-HeavelyCalling
[/quote]

[HisChild]

: 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

Grazie!

[HeavenlyCalling]

[quote name='TeresaAvila' post='1157668' date='Jan 6 2007, 06:15 PM']
Hello heavenlycalling, I dont' know if anyone has mentioned yet, but the Carmelite Nuns of St. Louis Missouri are a wonderful carmel, and they have adoration of the blessed sacrament from the morning following mass until the evening at benediction and each sister takes a turn adoring our lord throughout the day. They wear the traditional habit, and keep to the traditions of holy Mother St. Teresa, and they are such a lovely group too! You can visit their page and obtain contact information here: [url="http://www.stormpages.com/mtcarmel/"]http://www.stormpages.com/mtcarmel/[/url]

God Bless You!
[/quote]
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?

[TeresaAvila]

oh ok, when I did my livein they only had 9 at the time, and only had one postulant and but was a little over a year ago, so perhaps they have gotten more postulants wich is wonderful!

God Bless You!

[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...

Emile James, I was wondering, is the order you posted ( the one with the St. Theresa quote) in communion with Rome?
[/quote]

Edited January 7, 2007 by TeresaAvila

[brendan1104]

You know, Emile, I would really like to know where you got your information about the Carmel in Colorado Springs. I was a seminarian with their chaplains' community. I am VERY familiar with the history of their foundation, and current status.

They hold the same theological position as their directors. Sadly theirs is not a totally regular position. But they are definitely true Discalced Carmelite Nuns.