This quote is from Father Luis Arostegui, OCD, Superior General –
Aims of the Sexennium, Santiago, Chile, 4th October 2005:
“The charism which is the spiritual experiences of the Carmelite family is a living reality. Ours is a spiritual culture that can grow with the authentic spiritual life of the family, like a river that has new springs and tributaries. There can be no doubt that the distinguished figures of our history have enriched the charism and spirit of our family. They have inspired us and broadened our spiritual horizons.”
“Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: 'Rivers of living water will flow from within him.'" John 7:38
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
4 of 4
“We do not wish to praise only the existent. We would like to exhort you to proceed with further studies of the Rule of Carmel, both from the point of view of a critical reflection as also at an existential-community level.
We would like to make our own the words of the Pope when he asks consecrated persons to learn to ‘contribute in your own unique way to the transfiguration of the world’.”
citing John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, n.110.
1- Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. The previous quote speaks to consecrated persons; however, as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
2- Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
We would like to make our own the words of the Pope when he asks consecrated persons to learn to ‘contribute in your own unique way to the transfiguration of the world’.”
citing John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, n.110.
1- Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. The previous quote speaks to consecrated persons; however, as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
2- Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
3 of 4
“With a profound sense of history, St. Teresa of Jesus said,
‘Let our gaze be fixed on the line of holy Prophets from whom we have our descent. How many saints in heaven wear our habit! We have the holy presumption, with the grace of God, to become not unlike them’. [Foundations 29,33]”
1- All of our predecessors have had to grapple with holy creative tension, such as that expressed in the flaming Arrow. What is it in your life?
2- Everything that happens in our life is an opportunity for an encounter with God. How do we respond? Do we try to tend towards union with Him?
‘Let our gaze be fixed on the line of holy Prophets from whom we have our descent. How many saints in heaven wear our habit! We have the holy presumption, with the grace of God, to become not unlike them’. [Foundations 29,33]”
1- All of our predecessors have had to grapple with holy creative tension, such as that expressed in the flaming Arrow. What is it in your life?
2- Everything that happens in our life is an opportunity for an encounter with God. How do we respond? Do we try to tend towards union with Him?
2 of 4
“Our Rule and our saints, who are the living word, have added to our spiritual heritage. However, the charism which unites us is greater than that which our predecessors have passed on to us in their writings and through their very lives. They invite us to go forward in fidelity to the grace of our vocation and to carry out that vocation in creative personal ways. As St. John of the Cross says [Canticle, 37,4], for us disciples of Christ ‘there are still many depths to be sounded in Christ’.”
1- What does it mean to go forward in fidelity to the grace of our vocation?
2- What is the reality of being an OCDS in contrast to the fantasy world some live in (which is to pray and simply receive, letting someone else do the work. Who’s going to do the dishes, by the way?)
1- What does it mean to go forward in fidelity to the grace of our vocation?
2- What is the reality of being an OCDS in contrast to the fantasy world some live in (which is to pray and simply receive, letting someone else do the work. Who’s going to do the dishes, by the way?)
1 of 4
This blog begins with 4 quotations which have been taken from the circular letter of the Superiors General at that time, Fr. Camillo Maccise, O.C.D., and Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.CARM. on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the definitive approval of the Rule of Carmel by Innocent IV (1 October 1247 - 1 October 1997) “Open to God’s Future”.
Questions follow each quotation.
Here is the first of four.
“You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished! Look to the future, where the Spirit is sending you in order to do even greater things. Make your lives a fervent expectation of Christ, go forth to meet him like the wise virgins setting out to meet the Bridegroom. Be always ready, faithful to Christ, the Church, to your Institute and the men and women of our time.” (citing John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, n.110.)
The Secular Order is much larger and is growing at a much faster rate than the rest of the Order. The Seculars will have a huge impact on the future of the Order.
1- What will this impact be? What would you like it to be?
2- Have we begun to prepare for it and what more might we do?
Questions follow each quotation.
Here is the first of four.
“You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished! Look to the future, where the Spirit is sending you in order to do even greater things. Make your lives a fervent expectation of Christ, go forth to meet him like the wise virgins setting out to meet the Bridegroom. Be always ready, faithful to Christ, the Church, to your Institute and the men and women of our time.” (citing John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, n.110.)
The Secular Order is much larger and is growing at a much faster rate than the rest of the Order. The Seculars will have a huge impact on the future of the Order.
1- What will this impact be? What would you like it to be?
2- Have we begun to prepare for it and what more might we do?
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