General interest

The Experience of Beauty: Reflections From Rome by Fr. Eusebius Schwald, ORC

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Rome, November 8, 2022

Greetings from Rome!

As I have been granted the special grace to deepen spirituality studies in Rome, permit me to share some new insights. In these days, one of our professors mentioned a conference that Cardinal Ratzinger gave once about the experience of beauty[1]. Let me share some thoughts about it and add some reflections.

The experience of beauty always draws us out from the routine of daily life and sets us in a state of amazement: the greatness of the ocean with the rhythmic breaking of the waves, the breathtaking view from the top of mountains, the power that lies in a waterfall, the variety of colors and smells of flowers, the beautiful melodies and combination of tones in music, the millions of stars that speckle the night sky, the harmony of proportion, the play of light and combination of colors of different elements in sacred architecture, sculptures and paintings. There is so much beauty in the world! Just recently, I had several such experiences: the Coronation Mass of Mozart in Assumption Grotto parish in Detroit, and many beautiful churches here in Rome, especially St. Peter’s Basilica. Daily, thousands of tourists, many of them not even Catholics, flock these churches to admire their beauty.

Why does beauty attract us? We come from our brokenness, from the routine of daily life, we experience ugliness, corruption and sin, including our own weakness and failures. The encounter with beauty is, as Cardinal Ratzinger describes the view of Plato, “the salutary emotional shock that makes us leave our shell” and sparks our “enthusiasm” by attracting us to what is other than ourselves[2]. We have lost our original harmony, beauty and perfection, and by encountering beauty in different ways, we experience a longing in us for something that is beyond us, a longing and desire for harmony, peace, beauty and eternity, which experience is somehow “painful.” We are “wounded” by beauty.

On Friday, Divine Providence had a special visit for me in store. On the way to the University – my daily journey takes around one hour from our house to the University –  the bus stopped maybe 1 km away, and the bus driver told all passengers to get off the bus. It seems there was some road closure. I decided to walk and visit some churches on the way. The first one was Our Lady of Victory Church. It seems it is run by the Carmelites. On the side altar, I saw the famous beautiful sculpture of Santa Teresa while experiencing the mystical piercing of the heart” by an angel. St. Teresa was wounded by the beauty of God’s love. She describes it in her autobiography.

“Our Lord was pleased that I should have at times a vision of this kind: I saw an angel close by me, on my left side, in bodily form. This I am not accustomed to see, unless very rarely. Though I have visions of angels frequently, yet I see them only by an intellectual vision, such as I have spoken of before. It was our Lord’s will that in this vision I should see the angel in this wise. He was not large, but small of stature, and most beautiful—his face burning, as if he were one of the highest angels, who seem to be all of fire: they must be those whom we call cherubim. Their names they never tell me; but I see very well that there is in heaven so great a difference between one angel and another, and between these and the others, that I cannot explain it.

I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron’s point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain, that I could not wish to be rid of it. The soul is satisfied now with nothing less than God. The pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it, even a large one. It is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God, that I pray God of His goodness to make him experience it who may think that I am lying. During the days that this lasted, I went about as if beside myself. I wished to see, or speak with, no one, but only to cherish my pain, which was to me a greater bliss than all created things could give me.”

The encounter with the beauty of God’s love “wounds” the soul. It’s nice and inspiring to read this account.

Actually, there are two ways of knowing God’s love[3]: through instruction (reading, study, listening to talks etc.), this is a second hand knowledge: we read the explanation of others who had an experience of the love of God, or explain it.

The second way is: the personal experience of GOD’S love, a direct relationship with reality. This is what happened to St. Teresa. Note, that this experience is not reserved to the saints. This is actually what we are asking the Archangel Raphael, the “arrow and medicine of Divine love”, when we pray in the Supplication to the holy Angels of the Opus Angelorum: “wound our hearts, we implore you, with the burning love of GOD and let this wound never heal, so that even in daily life we might always remain upon the path of love and overcome all things through love!” We are asking the holy Archangel to help us experience GOD’S love “first hand”; we are asking for a life-changing encounter, an encounter with the beauty of GOD’S love, that leaves a “wound” in us, a longing, a desire, a happiness that pulls us out of our habitual sins of daily life, that does not allow us to fall into a routine of daily life but stirs us up again and again to lift our eyes to heaven, give us hope and joy in midst of trials and dryness.

We have to ask for this grace and be open to receive it and expose ourselves to God’s love, especially in prayer. The beauty of the sea, the mountains, the stars, the flowers, the music give witness of this love!

We discover Christ’s beauty in different ways when contemplating the beauty of creation. Do we not sing:

  1. Beautiful Saviour, King of Creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
  1. Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,Robed in the flowers of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
  1. Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high;Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels in the sky.

Jesus is beautiful, especially because in Him appears the beauty of Truth, “the beauty of God himself who draws us to himself and, at the same time captures us with the wound of Love, the holy passion (eros), that enables us to go forth together, with and in the Church his Bride, to meet the Love who calls us”[4].

But there is still another aspect which we tend to forget easily in a world that is focused on worldly pleasures.

In St. Peter’s Basilica, we can see the Pieta of Michelangelo. Every day, thousands of people admire the beauty and harmony of this masterpiece of art. But why is this beautiful: a mother holding the lifeless body of her son in her arms, full of pain and sorrow? Is it not rather something that we tend to avoid? It is so attractive because it is the TRUTH, and because you can see LOVE. BEAUTY and SUFFERING do not contradict each other; in the suffering Christ we learn “that the beauty of truth also embraces offense, pain, and even the dark mystery of death, and that this can only be found in accepting suffering, not in ignoring it.”[5]

“It is precisely on the Cross that the One who in death appears to human eyes as disfigured and without beauty, so much so that the bystanders cover their faces (cf. Is 53:2-3), fully reveals the beauty and power of God’s love.”[6]

In the meditation – and not only meditation, but by exposing ourselves to it, reliving it –the Passio Domini, the Passion of Our Lord, we encounter in a very particular way the truth of the beauty of God’s love, revealed to us in the beauty of the suffering face of Jesus, so amazing, so attractive, because His love is true. Let us be wounded in this encounter with Christ’s beautiful, Crucified love, by experiencing that it is very personal! This love is especially present in the Eucharist and is poured out upon us anew every day!

Can we, then, not say: “How much He loves me, in spite of everything, how great is His love that created me, redeemed me and sanctifies me!”

With a blessing, I wish you this living encounter with God’s love, and ask your prayers,

Fr. Eusebius ORC

Website for the Canons regular of the Holy Cross: Cruzios.org

[1] CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH, “The Feeling of Things, the Contemplation of Beauty”, MESSAGE OF HIS EMINENCE CARD. JOSEPH RATZINGER TO THE COMMUNION AND LIBERATION (CL) MEETING AT RIMINI (24-30 AUGUST 2002)
[2] ibd.
[3] ibd.
[4] ibd.
[5] ibd.
[6] VITA CONSECRATA, JOHN PAUL II, 25 March 1996, n. 24

Women's Communities

All Saints Sisters of the Poor Buzzing With News!

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by Mother Emily Ann Lindsey, A.S.S.P.
For three years in succession, we have been blessed with Solemn Professions –  Sister Deborah Rose on August 15, 2020; Sr. Jane Clement on September 8, 2021 and this July 25th, the Feast of St. James the Apostle, our Sister Mary Martha (pictured).
The rite of Divine Worship was celebrated by our Chaplain, Fr. Warren Tanghe with Archbishop William Lori officiating at the Solemn Profession of Vows.  Despite the two hour Profession Mass, the end seemed upon us quickly.  With vows taken and witnessed,  Sr. Mary Martha had now donned her new veil, cincture, ring and crown of flowers.  Once formal photos were taken the fun began with an afternoon spent in fellowship with those in attendance.

And…

Something new buzzes around the property of the All Saints Sisters of the Poor.  Up until three years ago, we Sisters would not have dreamed that our property would one day be home to ten beehives and thousands of bees.  But that is exactly what has happened.  Our Community has a long history in wildlife preservation beginning with bluebirds.  Some years ago we added monarch butterflies to our efforts and so it seemed natural that honey bees would follow!

Partnering with beekeepers, we are now home to up to 13 hives.  Thanks to Clem and Marty, who instructed us in Beekeeping 101, we agreed this would be a great way to help the declining honeybee population and so the partnership was formed.  Now in our third year, we all know what needs to be done.  The beekeepers manage the bees and the hives and when it is time to extract the honey from the screens, we know honey season has arrived.  Once the honey is extracted we sterilize glass jars and caps and begin the sticky process of pouring the honey.  We learned very quickly that honey has a mind of its own so you have to be on your guard.

The amount of honey we sell depends on the amount of the harvest and whatever is earned goes back into maintaining the bees and hives, purchasing equipment, bottles, jars, and the like.  We sell locally under our own label, Our Lady of Walsingham, in our Convent Gift Shop on a first come first serve basis!

All Saints Sisters of the Poor
P.O. Box 3127
1501 Hilton Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228

410-747-4104

AllSaintsSisters.org

info@allsaintssisters.org

Men's communities, Reflection

The Role of Angels in the Rule of St. Benedict

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by Br. Daniel Sokol, OSB

St. Benedict had a vast and mystical understanding of several books of the bible, as well as a solid grounding in about thirty writings of the Fathers of the Church.  He is even to be counted as one among their number by several persons.  Quoting often from the Sacred Scriptures, he has the Lord “looking down from heaven on the sons of men to see whether any understand and seek God (Ps. 13.2); and if every day the angels assigned to us [that is our guardian angels] report our deeds to the Lord day and night, then brothers we must be vigilant every hour, or…God may observe us falling at some time into evil and so made worthless” (Ps 13:3).

Although the motive of fear may be the lowest incentive to action, it still is a valid motivator.  Our corresponding response to the above quote is to practice continuously the sterling virtue of vigilance over our thoughts, words and actions.  This vigilance brings about a certain peace because by doing this, we become closer to our Lord and Savior.  Motivated by the presence of angels, especially our own personal guardian angel, we certainly enhance our monastic vows or promises of Stability, Conversatio and Obedience, and gain many graces.

Sts. Benedict & Scholastica

In Chapter 19 on the “discipline” of Psalmody, we can become more aware of the divine presence in our daily liturgical services.  “In the presence of the Angels I will sing to You” (Ps 137:1 (RB 19:5).  Then St. Benedict adds, “Let us consider how we are to behave in the presence of God and His angels” (RB 9:7).  Unfortunately, some people are adversely affected by any words that seem to curtail their own sense of liberty.  We have all inherited some of the negative results of Original Sin.  Therefore, we need to become more and more aware of how much God loves us by sending His Son to die for our sins and His angels to protect us.  The most important step on the ladder of virtue towards our heavenly goal is being humble before God.

Thus St. Benedict advises “…if we desire to attain speedily that exaltation in heaven to which we climb by the humility of this present life, then by our ascending actions we must set up that ladder on which Jacob in a dream saw angels descending and ascending (Gen 28:12).  Without doubt, this descent and ascent can signify only that we descend by exaltation and ascend by humility” (RB 7:5-7).

How often do we thank God for our Guardian Angel?  Do we even acknowledge their presence, and that God has assigned them exclusively to our care?  God has granted us our very own angel to help us along the rugged path of life towards heaven.  Let us listen carefully to our guardian angel, and be sure to thank him for anything good (or bad, for that matter) that either challenges or rewards us.  By doing this, we become closer and closer to God.

“Angel of God my Guardian dear,
to whom God’s love directs me here;
Ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.”  Amen.

Bro.Daniel Sokol, OSB, is a monk with Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California. 

PrinceofPeaceAbbey.org

Men's communities, News, Pro-life

Pro-Family Prayer to St. Raymond Nonnatus

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From: Fr. Daniel Bowen, Vocation Director, Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
727-348-4060 (cell) vocations@orderofmercy.org

St. Peter (left) & St. Raymond (right)

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the infamous Roe v. Wade abortion decision, tens of thousands of preborn babies will receive the gift of life rather than succumb to the death sentences of abortionists.

The US Supreme Court decision, which reversed the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, was consoling news to Christians and people of good will around the world.

It is also clear that the persevering and relentless work of pro-lifers around the country sheds light on a similar zeal for lives and souls as shown in the life of the Mercedarian founder, St. Peter Nolasco.

St. Nolasco began his work in Spain in the 1200’s to redeem the lives of Christians whose faith was in danger due to their being taken captive by Muslims. St. Peter and his companions would travel to the cities and countries held by Muslims and bargain with the captors, offering to exchange funds, or even their own lives if necessary, in exchange for Christians who sometimes chose to embrace Islam rather than die by the sword.

St. Nolasco was motivated with the zeal Our Savior Jesus Christ, following the Lord’s example of redemptive love in giving his life as a ransom for the human race. This redemptive love for souls is at the heart of the Mercedarian charism.

Pictured with padlock on his mouth that his captors used to prevent him from proclaiming the Gospel.

Another prominent saint of the Order is St. Raymond Nonnatus (Latin: Nonnatus – “not born”), often invoked by expectant mothers since he was delivered from his mother’s womb by Cesarean section. St. Raymond is the patron of the Mercedarian Novitate in the United States, of those falsely accused, of expectant mothers, of Christian family life, and of the unborn.

We encourage you to pray the “Prayer for Christian Family Life to St. Raymond Nonnatus” which laments the assaults on the family and asks St. Raymond that, through his intercession, all homes “may ever be modeled after the Holy Family of Nazareth.”

Prayer for Christian Families

Lord, Father Almighty!

The family is the most ancient institution of humanity, for it is as old as man himself. But because it is Thine own institution and the only means by which man can come into this world and develop to the greatest perfection, therefore the forces of evil are assaulting it, causing men to despise this basic unit of Christian civilization. In suicidal fury they seek to deal it a mortal blow. Let them not succeed, Lord, in their destructive designs on the Christian family.

Through the intercession of the glorious St. Raymond Nonnatus, pleader in heaven for the happiness, welfare, and peace of Christian families, we beg Thee to hear our prayers. By the merit of this great saint, our patron, grant that our homes may ever be modeled after the Holy Family of Nazareth. Let not the enemies of Christian family life triumph in their sacrilegious attacks, but rather convert them to the truth for the glory of Thy holy name. Amen.

Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
Vocation Office – Mercedarian Friars
6398 Drexel Road Philadelphia, PA 19151-2510 (215) 879-0594

To find out more, contact the Order of Mercy at the addresses below:

Order of Mercy Website 

Facebook: MercedarianFriarsUSA

Twitter: 4thvow

Instagram: mercedarianfriarsusa

YouTube: Mercedarian Friars USA

News

Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of the Angels to Merge With Menlo Park Dominicans

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RNS photo by Alejandra Molina

Press release:

The Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, have  announced that the Holy See officially approved the suppression of their monastery, and the sisters’ subsequent request to merge with the Dominican Nuns at Corpus Christi Monastery, Menlo Park, CA. The nuns requiring assisted living and skilled care have chosen to reside in the Los Angeles area.

This bitter-sweet announcement formally confirms what had already been reported and comes from the remaining nuns who have devoutly lived a life of work, prayer, and contemplation at the Monastery of the Angels, established in the Hollywood Hills nearly 100 years ago. With this announcement, doors have been opened to explore new works of collaboration that will continue the sisters’ spiritual ministry of prayer. It will be a new outreach to the loving faithful who cherish this peace-filled oasis of holy ground.

The Dominican Order continues to aggressively explore opportunities for preserving the monastery property. Currently, the chapel remains open with daily Mass at 7:00 a.m. Prayer groups will continue their scheduled activities.

“Monastery Goodies” will remain in full operation and is a source of support for the elderly nuns requiring assisted living. Pumpkin Bread and Candy remain available through the monastery Gift Shop or online at MonasteryGoodies.com.

 

Men's communities, Reflection, Saints

The Christ-Centered Nature of the Church and St. Benedict’s Rule

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Christ and His virtues and attributes are the central focus of the Church and the Rule of St. Benedict.

After three years of miracles, preaching, teaching, healing and feeding while “resolutely” heading for Jerusalem, Jesus comes up to the Last Supper where he longingly looked forward to initiate the Eucharist: “This is my body; “This is my blood;” and Holy Orders: “Do this in memory of me.” Mindful of His words, these sacraments commission the priests to bring Christ to the multitudes throughout the world.

During the forty days that follow the magnificent event of Christ’s Resurrection, He accomplishes the solidification of the newborn Church as He affirms the apostles and disciples. Then comes His Ascension into heaven followed by the precious gift of the Pentecost whereby the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles that they may be emboldened to preach with holy conviction. These events are at the core of the Church’s sacred heritage. The Church is constantly challenged to bring the “good news” of Christ throughout the whole world.

Thanks to the writings of the Fathers of the Church that contributed significantly to the clarification of Sacred Scripture and the spiritual growth of the Church, St. Benedict benefited greatly by this foundation. After absorbing the best of this sacred heritage, he proceeded to apply this knowledge to build up monastic life that would eventually evangelize and civilize the whole of Europe. The secret of His success was the placing of Christ at the center of all his efforts.

He taught us to “Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ” (RB 4:10). This theme would echo throughout the entire rule in many different forms. So we see that the abbot is believed to “hold the place of Christ, since he is addressed by a title of Christ…not for any claim of his own, but out of honor and love for Christ” (RB 63: 13.

And, consider this: “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else” (RB 4:20). Evil thoughts are to be dealt with swiftly and decisively, such as, “As soon as wrongful thoughts come into your heart, dash them against Christ and disclose them to your spiritual father” (RB 4:50). Although we strive to find Christ in every person we meet, how shall we deal with our “enemies?” St. Benedict advises, “Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down (RB 4:72).”

Spiritual progress is slow, so after diligently practicing the virtue of humility we arrive at love. “Through this love, all that he once performed with dread, he will now begin to observe without effort, as though naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue” (RB 7:68-69).

All kinds of people reside in the monastery or come for the solace of retreat or just a good word, and all represent Christ in one way or another. We are called upon to reverence them, especially those who are sick and bedridden. “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ, for he said: I was sick and you visited me (Matt 25:36), and What you did for one of these least brothers you did for me (Matt 25:40)” (RB 36:1-2).

But the wisdom of St. Benedict also has advice that goes both ways. “Let the sick on their part bear in mind that they are served out of honor for God, and let them not by their excessive demands distress their brothers who serve them (RB 36:4)”.

If we eat too much food we are advised: “For nothing is so inconsistent with the life of any Christian as overindulgence. Our Lord says: Take care that your hearts are not weighed down with overindulgence  (Luke 21:34 (RB 39:8-9). )”

No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life (RB 72:7-12).

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

www.princeofpeaceabbey.org

News

Prayers for the Holy New Martyrs of Nigeria

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This note was received from Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo, Executive Director of the Institute of Catholic Culture (ICC), an IRL Affiliate Community. He asks for prayers for members of the ICC community who were killed in the terrorist attack at a Catholic Church in Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday 2022.

As members of the ICC family, and more importantly, as members of the Body of Christ, you and I have a special call to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those in most need.

By now, I am sure you will have heard of the terrorists who broke into the Nigerian church in the middle of Pentecost Mass and shot over fifty people. Yesterday, we were further shocked and saddened to learn that some members of that parish are also members of our ICC family and students in our Bioethics course. Yesterday afternoon, we received an email from one of the parish priests asking our ICC family to gather in prayer for all those suffering from this terrible attack. He writes:

I ask for the prayers of the whole ICC community. My parish (St. Francis Catholic church, Owo, Nigeria) was attacked by terrorists yesterday during the Pentecost Sunday Mass (it’s all over social media and news channels in Nigeria). We have lost about 39 of our parishioners already and so many are still under intensive care.

Myself and the other priests are so engrossed in pastoral care for our parishioners at this emotional moment. It is devastating and saddening to see so many children and adults murdered in cold blood. The church (what is left of it) is temporarily closed as an active crime scene and the faith of the people is being tested by the horrific ramifications of the attack.

Please, take a moment right now with me and with our entire ICC family to pray together for this priest, for the people of Saint Francis parish, and for all Christians in Nigeria. Let us especially ask for the intercession of the new martyrs of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria.

✠ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Lord God of Hosts, God of our Salvation, God who alone workest wonders: look with mercy and goodness upon thy humble servants, and in thy love for mankind hearken unto us and have mercy on us. For, behold, our enemies have gathered themselves against us to destroy us and to bring ruin to our sanctuaries.

Help us, O God our Savior, and deliver us, for the sake of the glory of thy Name, and grant that we also may say with truth, as did Moses when he spoke to the people of Israel: ‘Behold, and stand fast; and you shall see the salvation that comes from the Lord. The Lord shall fight for you.’

Yea, O Lord God, our Savior, our Strength, our Hope, and our Protection: remember not the transgressions and unrighteousness of thy people, and turn not away from us because of thine anger; but in mercy and goodness look upon thy humble servants who bow down before thy loving-kindness. Rise up to help us, and grant us victory in thy name. Grant forgiveness of sins to those who, in the mystery of thy dispensation, will lay down their lives in battle, and on the Day of thy Judgment bestow upon them crowns of incorruption. For thou art the Protection, the Victory and the Salvation of those who put their hope in thee, and to thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Holy New Martyrs of Nigeria, pray to God for us.

Your servant in Christ,
Father Hezekias
Executive Director
Institute of Catholic Culture

 

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.

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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