carmelite8novices

   BROTHERS, SISTERS and NOVICES

    Two of the founder members are still actively involved in our chapter. After reading in a newspaper about lay Carmel they decided to find out more. They started by joining the Newcastle Chapter. As others wished to join them , more than their car could take, someone suggested perhaps a chapter could be started in Bedlington. After making all the necessary inquiries and arrangements, in December 1976, The Bedlington Chapter of Lay Carmelites was born.
    George and Joyce, in December 2000, celebrated the silver jubilee of their profession. We thanked God for their commitment, and for their obvious love for Carmel. We are truly privileged to know these two wonderful people and we truly value their experience and friendship.
    Many have joined us over the past 25 years. Many have been recieved and professed into the order. Others still join us without making these commitments. Some have left because they have moved away, others because they have become ill or housebound and there are those who have gone to their final reward in their father's kingdom.

    But, what draws each individual to the family of Carmel. Here are a few words from some of our present members, telling us what drew them and what keeps them in Carmel.





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   When I was a little girl, almost half a century ago, something happened which I have remembered clearly. It occured when I was sitting on a chair. My legs didn't reach the floor and I was swinging them back and forth. With me were grown ups. I can't remember all of them, but my mother and grandmother were definitely there. They were talking about the church in a village a few miles away, and Our Lady's name was mentioned. I piped up "take me there, I want to go and be with her". No doubt, I was chastised for speaking out of turn in the presence of adults, but I don't remember that. I just had the feeling I had to be near our Blessed Mother.
    Our Lady brought me into contact with a woman who was already a Third Order Carmelite. It did not take long for me to attend a meeting. From then on began a journey in the spirituality of the Third Order Carmelites, which broght many blessings and questions! It also deepened my friendship with the lady who introduced me to the order. We have no doubt that this is because of Our Lady's love and guidance.
    Sometime after my reception into the third order, at mass, with no special thoughts on profession, I felt Our Blessed Mother calling me to my vows. I had no idea how I would "know" when it was time to be professed and Ifelt awed that it had happened that way.
    I am learning that Our Lady wants to guide us on the way God's plan has for us, and will never fail to help us stay true to that plan, if we let her.
    Recently, I was very happy to hear that one of our novices had set the date for her profession. Unbidden, I shared with her something I had become aware of since my own profession. It was that the feeling of warmth and love in the heart, that came with Our Lady of Mount Carmel, never goes away, it gets stronger.

    "How did I come to belong to the family of Carmel? The obvious answer is through God, led gently by our Blessed Mother Mary; but what vessels did they use to entice and direct me?
    I had known for a long time that I was looking for something more spiritually, something that supported me, encouraged me and importantly, something that would help me to deepen my prayer life. I used to think "if only there was a religious order for lay people, an order to guide and strengthen me, to help me with my prayer life".
    I had not heard of the Order of Lay Carmel until I got to know a certain friend. She would often mention this Camelite meeting and one day I asked her whatit was. I was amazed to think a lay order did exist and I went away thinking about it. God would not let it leave my mind. I asked my friend more. I wanted this joy, love, sereness; she was truly a shining example of God's love. She invited me to a chapter meeting, but in the meantime she gave me 'The Little Office' I enjoyed the morning, evening and night prayers; the peace they gave, my quiet time with God.
    Then the day of the meeting arrived and I must say I was so nervous I felt ill; but God was good, I knew his mother was looking after me and by giving me my friend she led me to make more friends within the family of Carmel. That first meeting I knew I was home. I knew I was going to belong to a loving, friendly family and most importantly I knew my prayer life was growing.
    I was recieved into the order on January 16th 2000 and my own family came to join with the family of Carmel on this special day.
    I hope to be professed in July with Our Lady's help and the help of my friends in Carmel. I have an exciting road to travel, much learning to do on the way but as God works through his vessels to help me I know it will be worth it Thank you the Bedlington chapter (God's vessels).

    I came to Carmel out of curiosity. A friend who came mentioned about it I had no idea that ordinary lay people could belong to a religious order.and Ifelt in my life that God was calling me , but to what? I was deeply impressed by the friendliness of the people and their obvious peace and contentment. I felt I had come home. After many years of profession I now have a deep peace, a feeling of belonging and I draw a great strength when there are times of trial and suffering in my life. The other members are truly my family. They are supportive and caring and I feel contentment knowing that I belong to the great family of Carmel and I am united with all my brothers and sisters in prayer and in our love for Our Lady of Mount Carmel.