Silver Jubilee
Carmel.
Today I was invited to Carmel for the Siver Jubilee of one of the nuns. Guests may visit with Sister in the speakroom of the monastery during the time permitted for the reception. Such events are limited to the day of a nun’s clothing and profession, only to be repeated on special occasions, such as a Jubilee - meaning the anniversary of vows.
Prior to entering monastic life, I was permitted to visit with the entire Community once or twice, and I have met with the Prioress several times in the speakroom over the years. I prefer not to do so however. I like it that Carmel is strictly enclosed and I don’t like to “get to know” the nuns in this way. I respect the nun’s solitude, and even though I am invited to Jubilees and professions, I always decline the invitation. So many other people thrill to meet with the nuns anyway, and the speakroom gets crowded, that it all becomes a distraction.
Whenever I met with the nuns, I never knew what to say anyway. One Prioress, who has since left, often sent for me - I never liked that. (My friend David enjoyed it more than I did.) Successive Prioresses were much more disciplined, and I prefer that. The hidden aspect of a Carmelite’s life is what I find so edifying. Their anonymity, silence, and austerity of life, inspires my prayer much more than meeting or speaking with them.
“I am a pilgrim on the earth” - Ps 119
I used to spend hours and days at the Monastery, before the Hermits came along. (Near the Monastery is a community of male Carmelite hermits, who also act as chaplains to the nuns.) Locally, with the increase of Secular Carmelite vocations, the solitude of the extern Chapel is somewhat diminished, so I rarely go to the Monastery these days. I miss those days when I was there, all alone - with the nuns on the other side of the grille.
St. John of the Cross writes about specific places of prayer and how sometimes God detaches the soul from the spiritual delight the soul once used to find in these locations:
“There are different kinds of places, I find, by which God usually moves the will. [One] kind of place in which God moves the will to devotion is more particular. It includes those localities, whether wildernesses or not, in which God usually grants some very delightful spiritual favors to particular individuals. He so grants His favor that the recipient will have a more natural inclination toward that place, and will sometimes experience immense desires and longings to return there. But when he returns he discovers that the place is not to him what it was before, because these favors do not lie within his power. God bestows these graces when and how He wills, without being bound to place, or time, or to the free will of the recipient.” - The Ascent, Bk III: 42, 3
That is not to say I never visit, but now I only do so “secretly”. I invite you to pray with me for Sr. Ann of the Immaculate Conception, OCD, on her feat day and Jubilee.
(Photo: “Carmelite Nuns” - Courtesy of Hallowed Ground.)
July 26th, 2007 at 11:34 am
There’s a Carmelite group (men and women) who produce a local cable t.v. program in Massachusetts. I still haven’t quite figured that one out yet. I think cloistered contemplatives who guard their solitude are edifying, too. You exert a great amount of self-control, Terry. I’m too curious & keep wanting to “peek over the wall.”
July 26th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
May God abundantly bless Sister Ann and the other wonderful Carmelite nuns. Their vocation and constant prayers are an incredible blessing for the entire world.
BTW: I’m willing to bet you lunch that you must’ve either met or known my father. He spent a great deal of time at the Monastery at Mass and with Father John Mary Burns.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Oh, and forgot to mention that the sound of the grille raising and lowering at the Monastery was almost ominous to me as a child as their world was so detached and private. I frequently wanted to look in and see the nuns, but always kept my eyes lowered. And the nuns’ singing…will always remember it.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Are you referring to the location by the Demontreville retreat house? I’ve stopped in there to drop off prayer intentions while on retreat. I’ve always been curious how many nuns are “in” there and how old they are? The woman who I briefly spoke with was very friendly and seemed so young.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
JB - Yes - That is the Monastery I’m referring to. The nun you spoke to at the turn was probably Sr. Ann - I can’t remember how many are in the community now - I think it is a full house. There are at least 3 nuns who are yet in their early 20’s. It is a very vibrant community.
Monica, I probably know who your dad is. I know - isn’t it awesome when the cover for the grille opens? I bet as a kid it was kind of spooky.
Jeron - when I first resumed visiting the monastery in the early ’70’s, I used to peek through the fence when they were at recreation (they have a stone wall now) and I loved getting glimpses of them. I “evolved” to where I am now, after the novelty wore off and I actually experienced monastic life. When I was really little and we used to go to their first monastery in town, I always wanted to see them.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
My friend’s sister, Sr. Teresa is there, has been for a few years now. She went in shortly after high school. Please also keep her in your prayers.
A friend of mine and I went out there a couple years ago to visit, when I was discerning a vocation. I didn’t want to be cloistered but spoke briefly with the nun on the other side of the turnstile. She was very sweet, and apparently the gifts we brought were just what they needed…she was overjoyed to get some gourmet cookies to open on St. Therese of Lisieux’s feast day.
When I don’t have a job anymore, I think I’ll go out there again and speak with the holy women, maybe get some spiritual advice. It’s a beautiful area and maybe some contact with them will help me foster some contemplative time with the Lord.
Hmmm…
July 26th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
If your friend’s sister is Abby, she worked for me and her mom has a painting I did in Sr. Therese’s honor. Ask him to show it to you.
July 26th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
That would be her!
I’ll ask him about it. I don’t think I ever met her, but friends have passed along prayer requests and she’s mentioned in the bulletin, etc.
July 26th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Terry and Julie,
You guys are having what is called a “small paul” moment. It is when you find out you have a few friends in common. Growing up in Saint Paul means you can have several “small paul” moments in your life.
With trivial insight,
K
July 27th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Terry,
Thanks for your response.