Carmelite nuns: our order born of the Mystery
A letter from Sister Marie Gemma. The spirituality of Carmel and its mysterious origin: prayer and contemplation impact those who experience the convent. "Carmel is the sign that indicates the Infinite, the absolute proclamation of the whole loving presence of the Lord".
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Living in Carmel is like being at the still point of the turning world. Information, requests for prayers, the “inside story” of so many persons and groups flow in like a gentle river. Men and women from a variety of backgrounds and church affiliations, whose lives are being touched and sometimes shaken by the impact of contemplative gifts, migrate toward us for dialogue, support, and understanding. But who are we really?
Born of a Mystery, Carmel owes its continuity and existence to the Church, ever Mother and Guide. Its mysterious Beginnings: no identifiable person as a Founder, no date of Birth – just a place i.e. Mount Carmel, Holy Land, a great Prophet that has been its inspiration – Elijah the fiery Prophet; he appears with zeal for the Lord God and for a Patroness Carmel has the Virgin Mary.
Throughout the ages, philosophers have probed the many facets of our nature, composite of spirit and matter and capacity for self-awareness, freedom to choose, growth through human relationships. Yet we bear in ourselves a mystery which human knowledge will never fully grasp, which touches the depths of our human being, the centre of our existence which makes us who we are – born from mystery we are programmed for mystery. Hence the Carmelite charism too at its core is that of a Lover’s mysterious quest. It is a quest, a journey every Carmelite is called to make, being called to enter the mystery of God – Ah sheer grace –
Our spirituality is not about heroic asceticism, it is about God’s all-conquering love, a love that has touched the other heart and made it ache. An adventure of love into the unknown, a journey into the silence of our heart and meeting this God hovering over me, a God who gives and keeps me throbbing with love. When I am with Him every moment seems to be a discovery. One of St. Teresa’s brilliant insights was to realize the value of silence and solitude, hermit in the community. Friendship meant so much to her, her relationship with Jesus embraced all!
Carmel is missionary, communing with God in communion with people for whom they burn with that Living Flame that sets Love ablaze and gives the experience of this God of Love to all. Carmel is the signpost pointing to the Infinite, the absolute proclaiming to all the Loving Presence of the Lord.
This is our calling, this is our true heritage may it increase our joy and set our hearts on fire with love.
* Sister Marie Gemma OCD is former Prioress of the Carmel Monastery of Andheri and Prem Jyot Carmel Ashram, Baroda
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07/02/2019 17:28
