Vocations and Impediments

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Unfortunately, it seems, I am not going to be a Savannah Carmelite. I found out earlier this evening that they do not wear the full habit. They only wear the tunic and the veil is optional. I know that for some this is ok, as long as they are wearing something signifying that they are Carmelite, but I know that I want to wear the full habit of Our Lady. I will continue to email them and such because Sr. Joann has been a good spiritual director. I hope to find another Carmelite congregation that is as open as they are. I really feel compelled to visit the Boston Carmel. It’s sisters are beautiful and the monastery is very prayer conducive. Here’s the website:

carmelitesofboston.org/

The monastery actually reminds me of St. Therese’s monastery in Lisieux. I emailed several monasteries earlier asking for more information. I really hope to hear from the Boston Carmel, San Antonio Carmel (carmelsanantonio.org/)), St. Louis Carmel (stormpages.com/mtcarmel/)), Alhambra Carmel (members.aol.com/teresacarm/)), and the Terre Haute Carmel (heartsawake.com/)). I would love to join a monastery that has the full traditional Carmelite habit including the wimple. Dressing like St. Therese did would be a dream because it would be a greater sacrifice to Jesus.

Please continue your prayers for me. I will definitely pray for everyone who is discerning a vocation and those who have helped me here. Thank you and God bless!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Keeping you in prayer…

 

[Augustine]

Unfortunately, it seems, I am not going to be a Savannah Carmelite. I found out earlier this evening that they do not wear the full habit. They only wear the tunic and the veil is optional. I know that for some this is ok, as long as they are wearing something signifying that they are Carmelite, but I know that I want to wear the full habit of Our Lady.

It pains me to know that these sisters in Carmel of mine let go of Our Lady’s habit! I know that this happens in Carmel too, but it’s always a sad surprise to me.

Carmelite convents are quite independent by our laws, but I know that most of our convents do wear Our Lady’s habit. And I’m sure that their fidelity to the Carmelite way of life will be rewarded by your vocation, whereas, I’m sorry to say, those that forfeit the habit are bound for disappear unless they reform.

I’m more familiar with the convents in my home state, Texas, and at least the one in New Caney and in San Antonio do don the holy habit.

 

[Barzillai]

Please continue your prayers for me. I will definitely pray for everyone who is discerning a vocation and those who have helped me here. Thank you and God bless!

Yes.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

It pains me to know that these sisters in Carmel of mine let go of Our Lady’s habit! I know that this happens in Carmel too, but it’s always a sad surprise to me.

Carmelite convents are quite independent by our laws, but I know that most of our convents do wear Our Lady’s habit. And I’m sure that their fidelity to the Carmelite way of life will be rewarded by your vocation, whereas, I’m sorry to say, those that forfeit the habit are bound for disappear unless they reform.

I’m more familiar with the convents in my home state, Texas, and at least the one in New Caney and in San Antonio do don the holy habit.

It pains me very much too to see them giving up Our Lady’s habit. What you say is true that they are bound to disappear. I received word from Sr. Joann, the Prioress of the Savannah Carmel, that their numbers are dwindling and they are in need of new members. No wonder! People are yearning for tradition, which they will not find there without a reform. It’s wonderful that they are Carmelites, but I am looking for more traditional orders.

I am very interested in the San Antonio Carmel. I emailed both of the orders you mentioned 2 nights ago. I also emailed the Carmel in Arlington, TX, which I just received an email from tonight. I have yet to hear from the others.

I’ll keep everyone here in notice about my vocation. Hopefully, I will find an order that I can discern with further, who does wear the holy habit of Our Lady. Until then…God bless!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

It pains me very much too to see them giving up Our Lady’s habit. What you say is true that they are bound to disappear. I received word from Sr. Joann, the Prioress of the Savannah Carmel, that their numbers are dwindling and they are in need of new members. No wonder! People are yearning for tradition, which they will not find there without a reform. It’s wonderful that they are Carmelites, but I am looking for more traditional orders.

I am very interested in the San Antonio Carmel. I emailed both of the orders you mentioned 2 nights ago. I also emailed the Carmel in Arlington, TX, which I just received an email from tonight. I have yet to hear from the others.

I’ll keep everyone here in notice about my vocation. Hopefully, I will find an order that I can discern with further, who does wear the holy habit of Our Lady. Until then…God bless!

It has always stuck in my mind when reading anything about habits or the lack of them and I think it was in the Interior Castle that St. Teresa of Avila mentioning Our Lady goes on to state “whose habit I unworthily wear”. Obviously to St. Teresa and one of greatest foundresses, mystic, saint and Doctor of The Church, the habit was of great importance and symbolism!..and it remains so to my mind.
And yet, I cannot speak for The Holy Spirit and how He moves and how He should not. And the Holy Spirit speaks louder than any saint.
Room for all on this here ship! …and “All aboard please!”

.

 

[ClareTherese]

Hello, to all my fellow sisters in Christ! I read the long paragraphs that “CarmelGirl” wrote. I know about the impediments, because since I too am discerning a religious vocation, in most likely–franciscan (poor clare), a carmel order, or an order that does wear the full habit, or modified one. It must have a rich prayer life, apostolate, meditation, adoration, and eating in common. I have had epilepsy for 28 3/4 yrs., now, and have NOT had any seizures for almost 8 yrs!! My medication had to be switched to a stronger(but the same) one. I have visited numerous communities, and three come to mind that do accept women of older age, but two accept women that have impediments of any kind. 1. Cistercian Nuns in Prairie de Sac, WI2. Carmelite Nuns in San Rafael, CA They both wear the full habit and you can do a live in. The Poor Clares in Aptos,Ca and Peoria, IL., have extern nuns/cloistered nuns, will let you do a live in for 3 to 6 months, and YOU really get the true feeling that you’ve entered on day one! All make exceptions on the age limit ! I am still following my Lord wherever HE leads me to. You may want to check out VISIONS MAGAZINE. Hope this helps you out some. I’m almost 47, and alot of people already think I am a religious sister, because of the crucifix necklace I wear, amongst other things. I seem to draw unknown catholics to me, in a spiritual way.:angel1: Well, going to read some others. ClareTherese

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Hello, to all my fellow sisters in Christ! I read the long paragraphs that “CarmelGirl” wrote. I know about the impediments, because since I too am discerning a religious vocation, in most likely–franciscan (poor clare), a carmel order, or an order that does wear the full habit, or modified one. It must have a rich prayer life, apostolate, meditation, adoration, and eating in common. I have had epilepsy for 28 3/4 yrs., now, and have NOT had any seizures for almost 8 yrs!! My medication had to be switched to a stronger(but the same) one. I have visited numerous communities, and three come to mind that do accept women of older age, but two accept women that have impediments of any kind. 1. Cistercian Nuns in Prairie de Sac, WI2. Carmelite Nuns in San Rafael, CA They both wear the full habit and you can do a live in. The Poor Clares in Aptos,Ca and Peoria, IL., have extern nuns/cloistered nuns, will let you do a live in for 3 to 6 months, and YOU really get the true feeling that you’ve entered on day one! All make exceptions on the age limit ! I am still following my Lord wherever HE leads me to. You may want to check out VISIONS MAGAZINE. Hope this helps you out some. I’m almost 47, and alot of people already think I am a religious sister, because of the crucifix necklace I wear, amongst other things. I seem to draw unknown catholics to me, in a spiritual way.:angel1: Well, going to read some others. ClareTherese

Thank you, dear ClareTherese (beautiful name, BTW). I will most certainly check out the Carmelite nuns in San Rafael, CA. I found an order close by my house in Savannah, Georgia that accepts women with manageable disorders, but they do not wear the habit, and the Lord has told me that this should be my priority. So, I am continuing the search. Bless you for sharing this information!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Guess what!?!? You remember the Sisters of Carmel in Colorado? You remember how they turned me away? It was a God-blessing! I found out that Jesus was protecting me because they are not in full communion with Rome. They haven’t even been approved by their local Bishop because of discipline problems. It’s sad for them, but now I understand that it was a grace for me because, had I gotten involved with them, I would have been far away from my Mother Church. Praised be Jesus Christ! God is so good!!

Please keep them, and others like them, in your daily prayers that they will come back to the Church. They are in talks, from what I hear, about coming back, but nothing is for sure.

 

[Augustine]

Guess what!?!? You remember the Sisters of Carmel in Colorado? You remember how they turned me away? It was a God-blessing! I found out that Jesus was protecting me because they are not in full communion with Rome. They haven’t even been approved by their local Bishop because of discipline problems.

You mean these??? I bought the nicest brown scapulars from them! It’s interesting that even though they claim to be Carmelites, they don’t mention any affiliation with either OCarm or OCD. I guess much like the Carmelite Monks in WY, though they are supported by their local bishop.

Thanks.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

You mean these??? I bought the nicest brown scapulars from them! It’s interesting that even though they claim to be Carmelites, they don’t mention any affiliation with either OCarm or OCD. I guess much like the Carmelite Monks in WY, though they are supported by their local bishop.

Thanks.

Yeah, unfortunately, that’s the one. You are right about them not mentioning either the O.Carm. order or the OCD order. I think they subscribe more to the the Discalced Carmelite Rule because they mention St. Teresa of Avila a few times. Their order’s way of life is beautiful, but, unfortunately, their benefactors, the Servants of the Holy Family, did not ask permission from the Bishop to set up a women’s religious order, so they are not approved by the Vatican. Things could have changed very recently, but I’m not sure. I just wanted to share this with those that may be considering them. I don’t want to completely discourage you from joining, but I just want to warn you to be careful. God bless!

 

[Augustine]

Yeah, unfortunately, that’s the one. You are right about them not mentioning either the O.Carm. order or the OCD order. I think they subscribe more to the the Discalced Carmelite Rule because they mention St. Teresa of Avila a few times.

It seems that they are SSPX-ish in their emphasis on Latin liturgies and exclusion of the vernacular… So sad… :bighanky:

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

It seems that they are SSPX-ish in their emphasis on Latin liturgies and exclusion of the vernacular… So sad… :bighanky:

It does seem that way. I don’t believe they are members of SSPX though because someone told me that they do believe that Pope Benedict XVI is the pope. But, the Servants of the Holy Family could be SSPX related. I don’t know. The Sisters actually asked me if I attended the EF form and knew Latin because they pray in Gregorian chants. I told them I’ve belonged to the Novus Ordo Church my whole life. That may have been another problem with them excluding me from discernment

Please just pray for them! God bless!