Vocation Discernment -- Our Sisters Share Their First Experiences of the Cloister
~ Constitutions of the Discalced Nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, 1991; Chapter 6, #105
When we hear the term, “cloister,” it can sound medieval to the modern ear. Or it may trigger a memory of visiting or hearing about “The Cloisters Museum” in New York. Yet, cloisters are not merely a thing of the past. They are still in existence today. So what is a “cloister?”
The cloister is an enclosure, wherein a person voluntarily enters to be separated from the world for the sake of Christ and His Church, yet mysteriously remains in the world; like a little Heaven on Earth. What sets contemplative orders apart from active orders is that they tend to be “cloistered,” meaning that they are “set apart” for God in a very special way—as Elizabeth of the Trinity would say, to become a “praise to His glory”—in order to remain close to Him at all times within the solitude of the Monastery.
When a person enters a cloister, they shut out the noise and distraction of the world in order to remain recollected and in a state of constant prayer. What draws each sister to the contemplative vocation is unique, as each call from God is different. When God calls, it really isn’t a matter of asking oneself, “Where do I want to go?” No, He tells each soul what He desires. It’s really up to the person to say “FIAT!” and follow where He leads.
Yet, “How does a person who is discerning a vocation know that they are being called to a cloistered community vs. an active order?” Each call is personal and unique, but we will share with you some of our own experiences:
“The simplicity and joy of the hidden life was attractive to me. But also because I felt within prayer and sacrifice, I could reach all my brothers and sisters, while as an active sister my focus would have been on one place at one time. With prayer, I’m helping the whole world.”
“At first I felt drawn to religious life, but when I looked at the different orders, I had no attraction for the active life. Various people and circumstances brought me to Carmel and the contemplative life.”
“After having been an active sister for over thirty years, I suddenly felt called to a contemplative order as a result of having visited Lisieux Carmel during my visit to France. While there, I prayed through Saint Therese that God’s Will be done in my life. This was because I had a great devotion to St. Therese, since like her, I, too, had joined religious life at an early age of 12. When I returned home after my first visit, I felt strongly that I was being called to Carmel.”
When someone enters a cloister, they leave their old life completely behind. The contact with the outside world is limited, and all electronics (cell phones, iPads, etc.) and personal items are left behind. They only bring what is on the approved list (necessities). This is for the sake of shutting out all distraction, with a desire for complete detachment from all created things, in order to obtain union with God. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of grace to make this radical shift in one’s life. So, why do it? Isn’t the cloister an obstacle to answering God’s call?
“The cloister was the reason I entered. I wanted to be a Carthusian, and Carthusians never come out of their cells. But there were no Carthusian Nuns in England, where I was living, so I entered Carmel.”
“No, it was a mystery that was attractive to me; it seemed that there I would be doing something extraordinary. Although, once I entered, it was hard to get used to it.”
“It was somewhat an obstacle, in that I knew I would have to leave my family to live a Cloistered life. But my desire for God was greater.”
“It’s funny. It’s not like you’d think. I had no concern or care that I was leaving behind the electronics, and was ever so grateful to be rid of my cellphone, Facebook page, etc.
Before I entered Carmel, I had watched a film of St. Therese of Lisieux. They showed her dad bringing her to the enclosure door. Understanding the pain of the separation, I thought to myself, "I could never do that!" But in the moment when I actually entered, I was given the grace, and I entered with great joy in my heart, knowing I was going where I was meant to be. God’s pull on my heart is stronger even than the bond of family. I’m full of joy, knowing I’m with Him, and wouldn’t change anything.”
“No, I knew exactly what I was taking upon myself when I left my homeland and came to a foreign land to join Carmel. That is why I did not want to enter the cloister in my country, because there would be too many distractions. I belong to a large family, and having been an active nun who was a High School Principal for many years, too many people throughout the country knew me and they would be a great distraction for my life in the cloister.”
This, of course, is from the perspective of the person entering the cloister. First of all, this new sister has the grace for the vocation, and secondly, she is looking forward to beginning a whole new life inside the Monastery. But what of those who are left outside? How does the family take the news?
“My parents were very happy and always supportive, even though the cloister was hard for them. They eventually got used to it when they could visit.”
“They took it very well, even though my father wasn’t a Catholic. I assured them that if I wasn’t happy, I would leave.”
“It was my having to leave the country that was a disappointment to some of my family members. They did not see the reason why I could not join one of the Carmels in my country.”
“My father could not understand, but he supported me. My mother only wanted my happiness and was happy for me, even though it was hard. My brothers and sisters never discouraged me, even though it was hard to understand why I wanted to be enclosed and to be just in one place.”
“My parents support me, but my mom found it to be very difficult, especially because she lives far away. My sister, too, had a very hard time at first. I can’t go with her to do fun things in the world anymore. I can't go home to be with my family for holidays or birthdays. I can’t travel with them, either. Plus, it’s a difficult vocation to understand. It's an adjustment for all of us. But our Lord promised great things to those who follow Him, and to those we leave behind. I just keep His promise in my mind and heart, and know He will fulfill it, even if it’s difficult now.”
We will now sum all this up with our last thoughts on the cloister, and our advice to anyone who is potentially discerning a vocation in a Carmelite (or other cloistered) Community:
“The cloister is a beautiful place, a place of transformation, a place of purification; but there is a certain joy and peace that nobody can take away, because it’s God’s grace. It is a way to live always in God’s presence. It is a special way of being with the Lord on the mountain, and sharing with Him in His total emptiness of Himself for the salvation of souls.”
“The cloister is a protection for our contemplative prayer life. It is also important to protect the life of the Community. If God wants this type of life for you, He will help you to desire and accept it.”
“The cloister provides a suitable atmosphere for quiet, prayer, and relating to others in an atmosphere of sisterly love.”
“You’d think that it would be difficult to live in a small, enclosed area, and never get outside. But the truth is, this place contains all that we need. There is nothing wanting. All that we need is God, and He resides here with us. I was asked, before I entered, “How are you, a very curious person, going to be able to enclose yourself in a monastery, where you can no longer travel or explore things or people?” You know how? God is infinite, and you can never explore God enough. The more you know, the more you want to know. That’s the secret to being enclosed.”
“Examine yourself to see if you have a real love and relationship with Christ. It’s really Him who keeps us in the cloister. As they used to say in the old days, “Keep Christ before your eyes.” Make sure Christ is your guiding light. Because it won’t work, if He’s not.”
The best thing to do when discerning, is to withdraw to prayer. Spend a lot of time with God in solitude, and let Him speak to your heart. He has a place and a vocation for each one of us. He has placed the desire for your vocation within you, whether it’s for religious life (active vs contemplative), or for marriage. If you spend time in the silence, alone with Him alone, you will hear His voice and He will guide you. As our Blessed Mother would say, “Trust where My Son is leading you.”
May our good God bless you always. You are in our prayers!
In the peace and love of Christ,
Your Sisters in Eugene Carmel
How beautiful to read your personal comments and have this entry into your lives as women, devoted to the service of prayer. Thank you.
ReplyDelete