| Wednesday, September 26, 2001 Dear Brother/Sister in Carmel, During our last meeting in Cebu we gave special attention to our Community life as Carmelites and our Spirituality. Growing as a Carmelite, both as member of the community and as an individual, living in the presence of God, is a complext process. This growth as a Carmelite does not come automatically. it is a process that demands a positive commitment from us both on the personal and community level. During the meeting it was decided to make an assessment of our Carmelite way of life both as individual and as community from various angles. This particular assessment invites you to have a closer look at our Carmelite spirituality. Spirituality is basically a range of institutional activities and loving practice. It is a good thing to submit all these on our individual and collective willingness to grow as Carmelites. This assessment, which is only part of a wider acitivity, will be done in two stages. For the first stage I would like each one of us to study these questions and to answer the questions as honestly as possible. The questions has no pretension to be complete. For the second stage, I will visit the local communities and we will have study meeting regarding this matter. The two stages have to be finished before the end of October. Some guide questions: I. STUDY 1. Do you study on a more or less regular basis, both on the personal level and as a community, matters that pertain to the Carmelite spirituality? Meant here are official documents, books, articles and pamphlets. 2. Do you study the Carmelite Rule and the Constitutions? 3. Do you have an ongoing program for studying scripture in order to grow in the understanding of the Lord's Law? (cf. Rule, Chapter 10) 4. As Carmelites, we call ourselves sons and daughters of the Prophet Elijah and brothers and sisters of Mary. Do you make it a point to study these models thoroughly on a regular basis, since the Church entrusted them in a special way to us as Carmelites not only for our own benefit, but also for the wider community of the faithful. 5. Do you also study Carmelite Saints as possible modesl for improving the quality of your spirituality? 6. As Carmelites, we define ourselves as contemplatives, borthers - c.q. sisters - and prophets. Do you make it a point to study the dynamics of contemplation, brotherhood and prophecy as integral part of your professional training? 7. Do you have a special section 'Carmelitana' in your library, and is this section updated according to the real needs of your community? II. PRAYER 1. On the recruitment posters we proudly describe ourselves as "searching for the Face of the Living God," how do you look at yourself as a contemplative? 2. How do you understand "prophetic intimacy", and how do you deal with it? 3. Do you consider prayer as integral part of your life as a Carmelite and do you give prime time to it? 4. Do you practice meditation daily as part of your professional life? III. INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINING ACTIVITIES, RITUALS, CELEBRATIONS 1. Do you make it a point to have daily community prayers, and to have regularly a community Mass? (cf. Rule, Chapter 14) 2. Do you give special attention to the celebration of Carmelite Feast Days? 3. Do you have a Carmelite Missal and a Supplement for the Carmelite Feast Days for the Divine Office? 4. Do you make it a point to have meals together? 5. Do you make it a point to have regular meetings? 6. Do you discuss on regular basis matters of discipline and spiritual welfare? (cf. Rule, Chapter 15) IV. LOVING PRACTICE 1. How do we project ourselves to the outside as a contemplative and prophetic brotherhood? Remember that our charism is not only there for our own benefit, but should also function as a gift to the wider Church. 2. Do we experiment with brotherhood as a Christian and Carmelite way of relating with one another in the misdst of a society that is rather guided by principles of prestige and individualism? 3. How do we project ourselves as Church of the Poor? 4. Do we have a community clear programs for justice and peace? Best wishes for a fruitful reflection! For the Commission Ongoing Formation and Specialization: Fr. Martin Pierik, O.Carm. |
| ON-GOING FORMATION/ SPECIALIZATION COMMISSION |