Question about religious communities

[daughterofmary]

I am going to try to read St. Teresa’s “Way of Perfection” to see if I can understand her better. If Jesus is indeed leading me to a Discalced order, I want to know more about the reformers. But I don’t think I will really ever consider St. Teresa and St. John my spiritual Mother and Father. I consider Mary and Joseph my spiritual parents and I always will.

Her autobiography would probably help you to better understand her more so then Way of Perfection. I could send you a copy if you don’t have one

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Her autobiography would probably help you to better understand her more so then Way of Perfection. I could send you a copy if you don’t have one

Thank you, but I do have one. I acquired it from a Catholic gift shop. I wanted to read it because I am so interested in the Carmelites. I got another email today from a different O.Carm. community in Hudson, WI. Alas! They are older than me too. I hate the idea of being alone in my formation classes. It seems though that I am most interested in communities with older members. I’m going to email them back though and learn more about them. Even though the though of being a postulant and novice by myself kinda scares me, all the other sisters have been through it at one time or another

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Thank you, but I do have one. I acquired it from a Catholic gift shop. I wanted to read it because I am so interested in the Carmelites. I got another email today from a different O.Carm. community in Hudson, WI. Alas! They are older than me too. I hate the idea of being alone in my formation classes. It seems though that I am most interested in communities with older members. I’m going to email them back though and learn more about them. Even though the though of being a postulant and novice by myself kinda scares me, all the other sisters have been through it at one time or another

And let me tell you, being a pre-novice (postulant) and novice with others is in no way a picnic. :whacky::whacky::whacky:

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

And let me tell you, being a pre-novice (postulant) and novice with others is in no way a picnic. :whacky::whacky::whacky:

LOL, how so?

 

[Augustine]

The thing with the O.Carm is that they do not follow the Constitutions of St. Teresa. They just follow the Rule of St. Albert (I believe).

Not really. Since the beginning of the Carmelite Order, the Rule of St. Albert has been followed. However, when the first Carmelite monks ran away from the Holy Land because of the Moorish invasion, the rule was mitigated in order to make of them a mendicant order of friars. Later, with the Black Plague, the rule was relaxed even further.

At St. Teresa’s time, Carmelite way of life barely resembled that intended by the original rule. So she reformed by adopting the original form of the Rule of St. Albert (or so she thought, but pretty close).

So, in a nut shell, Carmelites (Ancient Observance) follow the relaxed Rule of St. Albert (may my OCarm brothers feel free to correct me) and the Discalced Carmelites (Primitive Observance) follow the unmitigated Rule of St. Albert.

Both Carmelite orders drafted their constitutions to guide their lives in our times according to the Rule of St. Albert. Moreover, each respective province then drafts their own statutes on how they apply the constitutions in their particular location.

 

[Augustine]

I am going to try to read St. Teresa’s “Way of Perfection” to see if I can understand her better. If Jesus is indeed leading me to a Discalced order, I want to know more about the reformers. But I don’t think I will really ever consider St. Teresa and St. John my spiritual Mother and Father. I consider Mary and Joseph my spiritual parents and I always will.

You might find this thread interesting then.

You do realize that all mankind are children of Mary and Jesus, right? Therefore, being a child of St. Teresa and of St. John does not exclude the former.

Then again, I’m suspicious, being an OCDS novice myself…

:blesyou:

 

[margya]

Here is one more for the list:

The Poor Clares convent in Aptos, California. I have visited it and actually had tour of the convent when they were building it. The have been in the Aptos area for years. It is the most wonderful spot. It is located in the Monterey Bay area i.e. about 14 miles from Santa Cruz.

 

[jheii]

You’re kidding? LOL, what a small world! Sr. Joann, the prioress, is the one I have been in contact with. She is going on retreat later this month for about 4 weeks, so I won’t hear from them for a while. Are you discerning a vocation, too? I’m kind of picky about them because the nuns there are all older than me, so if I had someone that would enter with me, it would be much better. I will go wherever Jesus asks me, but it would be so nice to have someone there my age Hopefully, Jesus will find it in His beautiful heart to give me a companion if He calls me to Savannah

Yes, I am discerning a vocation, but quite a different one: namely, to the priesthood as a member of a traditionalist order . So, I’m sorry to say that I won’t be able to enter into postulancy with you. I will, however, keep you in my prayers and let you know anything else that I find out about the Carmelites here in the beautiful city of Savannah.
God bless,
John

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

For some reason, I consider St. Teresa to be rather intimidating. I have for a while now. I just really don’t understand her that well at all, even though I have read about her life several times.

Even though we are O.Carm. we still find much in the writings of St Teresa and St John of the Cross.

In my novitiate we had classes on some of the readings of St Teresa, St John of the Cross and St. Therese.

I found St John’s work the hardest to follow and St Teresa was confusing in the way that her writings tended to wander. My favorite was the Little Flower.

LOL, how so?

Living in community has its own issues and going through formation with others presents issues that you would not have if you are alone. Just believe that how you find yourself if/when you enter formation is how God wants it to be for you.

Remember the old saying, the grass is always greener.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Yes, I am discerning a vocation, but quite a different one: namely, to the priesthood as a member of a traditionalist order . So, I’m sorry to say that I won’t be able to enter into postulancy with you. I will, however, keep you in my prayers and let you know anything else that I find out about the Carmelites here in the beautiful city of Savannah.
God bless,
John

Carmelites have a special devotion of praying for priests and seminarians. And as such, I will pray for your discernment. May God lead you down the path He wants you to go down. I’m sure, if He wills it, you will make a great priest. Bless you, John.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I received a packet of information (quite large, too) from the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington, TX. I glanced through it, and I can’t wait to read it. I’m actually rather interested in them. They wear the full traditional Carmelite habit which is beautiful. They just celebrated their 50th Jubilee on October 4th, too.
**
Augustine said:**
“You do realize that all mankind are children of Mary and Jesus, right? Therefore, being a child of St. Teresa and of St. John does not exclude the former.”

Thank you for presenting this idea. I understand them as being the children of God and Mary too, so thank you. I’m still getting used to their writings. I’m not discouraging myself from the OCDs. I find that rather silly, after thinking about it last night. I can serve God in the same capacity in either group.

 

[ClareTherese]

:flowers: :nun2:

I was wondering if anyone knew or had visited these communities:

Poor Clare Nuns of Belleview, IL
Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Mother Angelica’s nuns)
Carmelite Sisters by the Sea (Carmel, CA)
San Antonio Carmelite Nuns
Carmelite nuns of Terre Haute, IN (the Heartsawake.com nuns)
Iron Mountain, MI Carmelites
Rochester, NY Carmelites

Or any of these active communities:

Sister Servants of the Eternal Word
Sisters of the Most Holy Soul of Christ
Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Nashville Dominicans

I just want to know more about any of them. I am still discerning whether or not I am called to the Savannah Carmelites. I would rather join a Carmelite order with the 1990 Constitutions instead of the 1991 Constitutions. Also, the full habit really attracts me. I’m drawn to it like it might be what God wants me to do. Everytime I see a nun in a full traditional habit (the long veil, more complex habit), it just feels right.

Your help would be appreciated! And Happy Solemnity Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila, everyone!

Hello! It has been awhile since I have been answering forum questions. As far as the lists that you put down, I do know alot about the Carmelites in Carmel, CA. An elderly lady that I took care of entered there in 1933, age 20. After professing solemn vows, she left for a short while, to take care of her ailing father. After his death, she wanted to re-enter,but they said she was too old. Mind you, she was in her early 30’s. She kept in close contact with them. She entered the Secular Order of Discaled Carmelites. You want to talk about Holy? Our Blessed Mother, Mary, our Holy Father, are Our True Parents ! Yes, we have our birth parents, But who can we pray to for a deep intercession? Who protects us under Her Mantle—Mary does!
As far as the Dominicans in Ann Arbor,Mi., they are very active sisters, with the Apostolate of Teaching. There are over 40 nuns, and now are branching out to Arizona, and another state. Just like Mother Angelica’s order. They came to Arizona and now Texas. Both are age limit–18 to 30, with exceptions. OOPS The PCPA’s age limit is to 35. Have you triwd writing to the Carmelites in Georgetown,CA. My friend Sr.Victoria Maria entered there in Feb."98, became a Novice on Aug.6,'98. Professed first vows, 2 years later, and then 3 years later, Solemn profession of vows. The nuns in San Francisco are taking applicants who are interested, are called to the Carmel way of life, I have met these nuns twice and they are indeed beautiful

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

:flowers: :nun2:
Hello! It has been awhile since I have been answering forum questions. As far as the lists that you put down, I do know alot about the Carmelites in Carmel, CA. An elderly lady that I took care of entered there in 1933, age 20. After professing solemn vows, she left for a short while, to take care of her ailing father. After his death, she wanted to re-enter,but they said she was too old. Mind you, she was in her early 30’s. She kept in close contact with them. She entered the Secular Order of Discaled Carmelites. You want to talk about Holy? Our Blessed Mother, Mary, our Holy Father, are Our True Parents ! Yes, we have our birth parents, But who can we pray to for a deep intercession? Who protects us under Her Mantle—Mary does!
As far as the Dominicans in Ann Arbor,Mi., they are very active sisters, with the Apostolate of Teaching. There are over 40 nuns, and now are branching out to Arizona, and another state. Just like Mother Angelica’s order. They came to Arizona and now Texas. Both are age limit–18 to 30, with exceptions. OOPS The PCPA’s age limit is to 35. Have you triwd writing to the Carmelites in Georgetown,CA. My friend Sr.Victoria Maria entered there in Feb."98, became a Novice on Aug.6,'98. Professed first vows, 2 years later, and then 3 years later, Solemn profession of vows. The nuns in San Francisco are taking applicants who are interested, are called to the Carmel way of life, I have met these nuns twice and they are indeed beautiful

Thanks for your reply! I am not that interested in the Dominican teaching orders because I have taught before, and I didn’t like it. It’s not a good career move for me. If I was called to join an active community (I believe I am called to the cloistered life), then it would deal with healthcare. I am almost finished studying for my CNA certificate. I’ve got 2 more weeks!!! Then I have to take the state board exam and get a job. Please send your prayers. I need them! I ended the first class with a 99%, and I’ve got one more test to go in this current class (so far, I have a 91/B average). I’m hoping to raise it up to an “A” with my last exam. God bless!

 

[Allen537]

I was wondering if anyone knew or had visited these communities:

Poor Clare Nuns of Belleview, IL
Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Mother Angelica’s nuns)
Carmelite Sisters by the Sea (Carmel, CA)
San Antonio Carmelite Nuns
Carmelite nuns of Terre Haute, IN (the Heartsawake.com nuns)
Iron Mountain, MI Carmelites
Rochester, NY Carmelites

Or any of these active communities:

Sister Servants of the Eternal Word
Sisters of the Most Holy Soul of Christ
Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Nashville Dominicans

I just want to know more about any of them. I am still discerning whether or not I am called to the Savannah Carmelites. I would rather join a Carmelite order with the 1990 Constitutions instead of the 1991 Constitutions. Also, the full habit really attracts me. I’m drawn to it like it might be what God wants me to do. Everytime I see a nun in a full traditional habit (the long veil, more complex habit), it just feels right.

Your help would be appreciated! And Happy Solemnity Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila, everyone!

I am not sure if Br. David or anyone else has mentioned it, but this is a wonderful small group of Carmelite Nuns in Christoval, TX. If I remember correctly, it is the “Our Lady of Grace Monastery”. They are a wonderful group of O.Carm. Nuns who are very observant of the Rule. I cannot say for sure which constitutions they follow, maybe my brother David can help me with that, lol. I had the chance to meet with two of them this past summer and I was extremely impressed with them (very holy Nuns).

I think if you are seriously discerning a Carmelite vocation, it would be worth your time to check them out.

I hope this helps!

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I am not sure if Br. David or anyone else has mentioned it, but this is a wonderful small group of Carmelite Nuns in Christoval, TX. If I remember correctly, it is the “Our Lady of Grace Monastery”. They are a wonderful group of O.Carm. Nuns who are very observant of the Rule. I cannot say for sure which constitutions they follow, maybe my brother David can help me with that, lol. I had the chance to meet with two of them this past summer and I was extremely impressed with them (very holy Nuns).

I think if you are seriously discerning a Carmelite vocation, it would be worth your time to check them out.

I hope this helps!

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

Thank you! I have heard of them through db.religious.com’s database. Here’s their website:

carmelnet.org/christoval/christoval.htm

They only have 4 members in their order right now. I pray they get more vocations!