Sr. Marjorie Robinson, OCD

Discalced Carmelite Sisters, Beacon

The Carmelite Order traces its origins to the 11th cen-tury on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land; the original Carmelites were hermits. By the 16th century, there were monasteries of women. St. Teresa of Jesus was a nun at the monastery in Avila, Spain, who dreamed of a simpler life that would reflect the essence of the original Carmelites: a life of prayer, silence and solitude. After many trials and set-backs, St. Teresa and her co-reformer, St. John of the Cross, established the Discalced Carmelite Order.

As a contemplative community, we don’t have an apostolic ministry outside the monastery. The life of prayer is our mis-sion and service in the Church. Those who believe in the power of prayer, including priests and bishops, have always turned to contemplative communities to ask the sisters to pray for them and their needs. The contemplative life is rooted in faith; we do not expect to see the “results” of our prayer.

In the past, the contemplative life was often called “the hidden life.” However, we no longer have grilles or wear veils to physically separate us from the world. We reach out to others in ways that flow from the life of prayer. Some years ago we hosted several afternoons for women. One of the sisters gave a brief talk followed by silent time for prayer. What meant the most to each of the women was that period of silence.

At this painful time, we are praying for the Church and those who suffer because of the abuse crisis: the victims, the Catholics in the pews, and those who continue to serve God’s people with dedication and integrity. During a low point in the crisis, the nuns in one of our monasteries sent out a notice inviting people to an evening hour of silent prayer. Their chapel was filled. This kind of spontaneous invitation springs forth from our contemplative way of life.

As much as we would like new vocations – women to whom we can pass on the charism of Carmelite life – I realize vocation is a gift from God. I want today’s young women to know that the contemplative life is a fulfilling life, a challenging life, a life that expands the heart to embrace peoples of all times and places, a life that opens one to the depths of God’s love. Through the life of prayer, I’ve grown in ways that would never have taken place had God not brought me to Carmel.

 Continue reading article 

Read the full issue of Archways Fall 2019 here!