Monthly Archives: April 2022

News, Women's Communities

Carmel of St. Joseph in Terre Haute Celebrates 75 Years!

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On Carmel’s Height, Day & Night,
Someone prays for you

By Sr. Clare Joseph, O.C.D.

Celebration of our Foundation

Mother Agnes and Founding Sisters

On October 8, 2022, a day after our actual Foundation Day on the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, our community will mark the 75th Jubilee year since our foundation from the Carmelite monastery in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1947.  We will honor this joyful event with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Our Archbishop Charles Thompson will preside while several of our Carmelite friars will join him to concelebrate.  Pending the COVID restrictions, we hope to make it a public event where all are invited to join us in this jubilant celebration.

Our Beginnings

Before our foundation was made from the Indianapolis Carmel, the Archbishop of Indianapolis, Archbishop Joseph Ritter, dreamed of having a Carmelite community in Terre Haute praying.  The city had become infiltrated with corruption and crime and Archbishop Ritter longed to have nuns right in Terre Haute, praying that the city would once again become a wholesome place for people to live and raise their families.  And so, it was Archbishop Ritter who planted the first seed for our foundation. When we moved here on October 7, 1947, we lived in a house on the property and, with the help of friends, our monastery was gradually built, stage by stage.

Growth

“Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Luke 9:33).

Fast forward 75 years, our firmly planted seeds have taken root as we have grown into the contemplative community that we are today here in Terre Haute, Indiana.  God has watered the seeds and provided the growth, blessing us in abundance.

Our current monastery stands on a hill overlooking Terre Haute, the city that we love and which we pray.  Our chapel roof is distinguished by three peaks, representative of the three tents that Peter wanted to make for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  Over the years we were able to acquire the property adjacent to our original plot of land.  This allows us to cultivate gardens and an orchard, which provide us with fruit and vegetables throughout the year.  The additional grounds also provide us opportunity to pray and encounter God in nature.

Gratitude to overflowing

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the great and loving support we have received from our families, many friends, and benefactors.  Their help has come to us in a variety of ways, from our building days to our current reality and day to day needs.  No sooner do we have a need, offer prayers to God, then we receive a phone call or knock on the door from one of our numerous friends, offering their support, eager for the opportunity to “pay us back” for praying for their needs.  Words cannot express our gratitude for all the assistance and support we have received over the years.

Significantly, our sisters from the Indianapolis Carmel – the community that we were founded from – have overwhelmed us with their ongoing support and generosity.  Although they are few in number and have relocated to Oldenburg, Indiana, to the campus of the Franciscan community, they are closer to us than ever before, in heart and in our united prayers.

“… chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:4-5) .

We are especially proud and grateful for the community that we have become and are becoming.  In addition to the unique treasure that each sister is, the cultures of our international community of sisters further enriches our common life.  We share and sincerely experience the joys of life in community with one another, making real Our Holy Mother St. Teresa’s desire that in our communities:   “… all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped” (The Way of Perfection, 4:7).  It is our “living stones” that we cherish most of all – one another!

Mostly, our gratitude is to God for God Himself; for His fidelity, His love, His peace, His sustaining and providing for us, our Church, and our whole world in every way; for loving “the world so much that He gave His only Son.” (John 3:16).  Every momentous anniversary of our monastery is an opportunity for us to recall with profound gratitude and awe the graciousness with which God has smiled upon us from our first years in Terre Haute.

Our Vision Statement reads that “we are consecrated women of the Teresian Carmel, living in sisterly communion, holding the lamp of contemplation ‘till we become a living flame of love.’”

We believe that this flame of love has a continual and tremendous spiritual influence in our world, beyond the parameters of Terre Haute, Indiana, even while it may be hidden from our eyes.  It is the Spirit of God moving all over our world that brings life and hope and this is what we have dedicated our lives to here on the mount in Terre Haute, Indiana.

“… and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Visit: heartsawake.org

Reflection

Perseverance and Stability by Br. Daniel Sokol, OSB

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The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of our stability and the foundation of our faith.  He it is who provides the courage, the stamina, the example, the guidance, the witness and the perseverance to follow Him safely along the path of life to His everlasting kingdom and to join Him in heaven for all eternity.

Since Jesus is our rock of safety and our heavenly goal, we call upon Him daily for His divine guidance and protection. “Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety.  You are my rock and my fortress; for your namesake you will lead me and guide me” (Ps 30:3-5; c.f. Psalm 70:3).

A lifetime of perseverance in the way of the Lord brings us an abundance of graces. Every time we receive an answer to a prayer, a link of understanding for some small trial, a signpost of peace and approval or any favor for that matter, we magnify it still more by giving thanks to God our Savior.

Every time we offer thanks even for a small or a large and difficult task, we multiply the graces significantly.  God will never be outdone in generosity!  Our life can be filled with trials and difficulties, and these if done with a willing spirit, we advance in the spiritual life. God always gives what is good for our eternal salvation provided we follow His promptings.

The gift of perseverance is a necessary virtue. For Scripture has it: “Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Matt 10:22), and again, Be brave of heart and rely on the Lord (Ps 26[27]:14).”

We will find a multitude of examples and grace-filled sources of encouragement if we prayerfully read the Scriptures, the Apostles, the Fathers of the Church (early or modern), and the Lives of the Saints, especially if we follow their example and earnestly ask for their peace, protection and encouragement.

Stability has as much as to do with the mind, the heart and the soul as it does to being stable in one place, organized, and clear of all clutter.  Our quiet time spent in prayer on a regular basis brings peace, quiet and a more willing receptiveness to the will of the Lord.

Following a regular schedule brings clarity of thought and closeness to God.  We do well to daily practice discipline and pay attention to the necessary spiritual priorities in our life.  These are just a few of the secular and spiritual “virtues” mentioned in this article.  They are, “the tools of the spiritual craft” which our holy Father St. Benedict advises (C.f. RB 4:75). There is a connection between patience, stability and perseverance.  I stand firm in doing God’s will.

Perseverance helps us keep our eyes on the ultimate reward of joining Our Lord and Savior, Mary, Joseph and all the angels and saints in everlasting glory in heaven.  We pray, “Thy Kingdom come…”, that is, in our hearts, our minds, our soul and our bodies, indeed in all of our actions.

Let us all join in with each other as we pray for perseverance in stability and safety along with the psalmist as he places his hope and trust in God and writes: “In You O Lord I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me and save me.  Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock, my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the criminal and the violent.  For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God from my youth.  On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength; constant has been my hope in you.  A portent am I to many, but you are my strong refuge!  My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day”.

Amen! (Ps. 70:1-8 C.f. Ps. 30:1-6)

Br. Daniel is a Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.

News, Women's Communities

Monica’s Tears: Restoring Wounded Humanity

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Her first rescue

Visiting a rundown shop on a steamy May morning, Monica Lapuente came across a broken-down porcelain doll. The wear and tear of the years was evident in the tattered dress, split head, and discoloration. It looked, she said, like it had suffered appalling cruelty.

It was an epiphany moment for her; she saw in that doll broken humanity in need of love, mercy and restoration.  And she discovered something amazing too. Hidden in the doll was the original music box that had survived all the vicissitudes of life – heat, cold, dirt, abandonment, battering – and could still play a tune.  All it needed was loving hands to bring it make it whole.

She was inspired to make this doll and all the ensuing ones a religious sister; each showing a different face of mercy and God’s love to the world.  Or as Monica says: “Each Monastery Belle represents and celebrates the universality, diversity, cultural richness, conversion, perseverance, and beauty of the Catholic Church.”

One doll led to another and to date she has restored almost 400 (click here to see them all)! All the materials used for the hand-stitched habits are found in thrift shops and the like, remnants to be brought back to useful life. She only uses porcelain dolls because they symbolize to her, humanity so exquisite and fragile, so easily chipped and broken.  Each one has a unique name too.

One of her newest dolls (right) is a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate, an community founded in Lviv, Ukraine.  The name she was given is Sr. Mariya Sofiya Oleksandra, S.S.M.I., which means “the wisdom of Mary is the defender and protector of all mankind.”

“Each doll came to me with visible and invisible manifestations of suffering which is a metaphor for the wounded soul of humanity,” says Monica. “But what is broken, abused, rejected, and imperfect becomes whole, dignified, and beautiful in the sunlight of God’s creative and renewing love.”

For more information and to see all of the dolls, visit: monicastears.com

General interest, Liturgical Year

The Divine Liturgy by Brother Daniel Sokol, 0SB

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We may be surprised to learn that our earthly worship is an anticipation of, and a participation in, the heavenly worship. In heaven, the angels and saints perpetually proclaim the glory of God. They proclaim His glory, His honor, His beneficence, His virtues, His mercy, His Justice, etc., etc.

The “Opus Dei” (Divine Liturgy) refers to “the work of and for God” because He is working within us in order to make us more worthy of being in His presence. “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.  Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.”

Christ serves forever as the Mediator, the Great High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle of God.  The more worthy we participate in the divine liturgy, the closer we become to Christ.  We are blessed to have a beautiful Church which helps us to have a more worthy focus as we sing and pray the Divine Liturgy.

Even the liturgical furnishings of the Church provide their own significance for the overall worthiness of a proper liturgy.  The ambo is the place where the scriptures and their commentaries are pronounced with great reverence.  The candles are a reflection of Christ who is “the light of the world.”  The silver and gold chalice(s) are made of the finest materials. The presider’s chair is a carryover from the Jewish people as the rabbi usually sat while giving instructions.  Holy water and incense have particular rites for blessings and reverencing persons, altars, houses vessels, medals, bibles, cars, etc.

In order to proclaim a worthy liturgy, it is necessary that a lot of preparation goes on beforehand.  The main celebrant, the readers, acolytes, musicians and singers, etc. all have their sacred part in the most sacred of sacrifices.  Even the congregation, according to Vatican Council II, are urged to take an active part in the divine worship, singing and praying their parts.  St. Augustine writes, “Whoever sings, prays twice.”  The priest needs to deliver a well-prepared homily that edifies and helps to explain the readings and often can be applied to the current state of world and Church affairs.

Even processions are important.  The entrance procession with incense (which represents the prayers of the faithful) is reminiscent of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The altar of sacrifice is reverenced and incensed because it refers to Christ and His sacrifice. The procession of bringing gifts represents ourselves, our gifts, our family, our offerings, our life, etc.  At the end of Mass, the recession out of Church challenges us with great conviction to “Go out to all the world and share the good news!”

We are not to sit by and merely watch the whole ceremony of any given liturgy; we need to participate with enthusiasm for our salvation through the God-given gift of faith.

 (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Jan. 6, 2014)

Gestures are to be done with great respect.  Entering into the Lord’s Earthly Temple, we sign ourselves with the sign of the cross using holy water, then bow to the altar and genuflect to the tabernacle.  When the gospel is announced we mark our forehead, lips and heart saying “May the Lord be in our mind, on our lips and in our heart.”  We make a profound bow of the head on the feasts of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin at the mention of their names, which represent their persons.  There is a myriad of preparations, carefully learned and practiced that go into the overall presentation of a very fine liturgy, especially in a church that radiates dignity and holiness.

Let us revise some of these faith enhancing practices so that our whole life can become a worthy gift to God for all that He has done for us.  Let us listen attentively to the prayers we pray and foster an awareness of God’s manifold gifts given in our lives through the sacraments, through each other.

Let us remember to be thankful to God for every grace or favor we receive, even the unfavorable ones.  That way we can be sure we are still advancing on the road to holiness!

Br. Daniel Sokol is a Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.

www.princeofpeaceabbey.org