Carmelite Visit

Last updated on: March 25, 2016 at 5:20 pm by Father Pablo Migone

Carmelite Visit 2016-03-25T17:20:34-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

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I journeyed to the Monastery of La Encarnacion on a cool September morning. I had arrived to the beautiful city of Avila the night before by bus, and had the opportunity to admire its fairy-tale massive walls that circle the whole old town. Saint Teresa entered this monastery as a young woman, and after many years there, abandoned it to reform the Carmelite Order. In this monastery, Saint Teresa met with Saint John of the Cross. It was here that her heart was pierced by an angel, allowing her to experience the profundity of God’s love. It was here that as mother superior, she challenged fellow Carmelites to live a life of simplicity, prayer, and sacrifice.

[Written for The Southern Cross]

Monastery of La Encarnacion

Parlor where Saint Teresa and Saint John would meet; she behind the grill

After visiting the museum area of the monastery, I inquired at the gift shop about visiting the monastery church which was closed. The lady responded that it remained closed except very early in the morning. We continued chatting, and when I mentioned I was a priest, she immediately said, “wait Father, I may be able to get you in.” She returned twenty minutes later with good news. The nuns were willing to stop working on the flower decorations of the church so that I could visit. As cloistered nuns, they would not remain in the church while I visited. They interrupted their work just so I could visit! I was deeply moved by this simple act of kindness done towards me by holy women that I will never meet.

Ever since I was transferred to Savannah last year, I have had the blessing of celebrating Mass for the Carmelite Sisters there. In 1958, Carmelite nuns came to Savannah from Philadelphia at the invitation of Bishop McDonough to establish Our Lady of Confidence Monastery. Since that time Carmelites nuns have been praying specifically for the priests and needs of our diocese. Bishop McDonough rightly wrote that “the presence of the Carmelite Sisters in Savannah will be a spiritual boost to our priests and people, and the source and occasion for a stronger faith in all. There is so much to be done in this portion of the Vineyard, which work will fructify only if supported by prayer.”

Currently there are nine women at the monastery. Of the two solemn professed nuns, one belongs to the original group of nuns who arrived in 1958. On Saturday, August 22nd at 11am, three more sisters will make their solemn profession at Saint James Parish in Savannah. It is open to the public and all are invited to attend. Just a few weeks ago four young women arrived from Kenya to live at the monastery as they continue discerning religious life in the Carmelite Order. It is a blessing to have these joyful and prayerful women in our diocese. It is their prayer that sustains God’s work in our diocese in the same way the prayers of Moses sustained Amalek in battle. Though hidden, their generosity, prayer, surrender, and selflessness are accepted and transformed by the Lord so that all the faithful our diocese may benefit spiritually.

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