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Cath Cauc: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate can't take postulants for 3 years
Rorate Caeli ^
| December 3, 2017
| Adfero
Posted on 12/03/2017 5:10:53 PM PST by ebb tide
Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate can't take postulants for 3 years (Discalced Carmelites benefit)
The tragic story of Francis' all-but-suppression of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is well known to our readers. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, we have now learned, have been banned from accepting postulants for three years, on order of their commissioner.
One young lady who now cannot join those Sisters has found her new home as a Discalced Carmelite. Her story,
published in the Huffington Post, of all places, is below. Kudos to the publication for giving this wonderful young woman a voice:
My first memory of meeting an actual nun (as opposed to watching The Flying Nun, played by Sally Field, on TV) was when I was nine years old.
My mom and I were in the New York City Port Authority Bus Terminal and she bought me this awesome doll, which I named Janine. (Mind you, this is before V came out, otherwise the doll for sure would have been named Julie.)
So my mom had her wallet out and sitting by the entrance to the building were two nuns. They were handing out pamphlets. My mom said to me, Lets make a donation and she let me put some money into the box.
Jade Banks, 23-1/2 years old, will be entering the Discalced Carmelites on November 30th of this year (2017). I finally had a chance to find out what goes on inside the mind of a young woman who wants to become a nun.
Did you always want to be a nun?
Absolutely not! First of all, I thought nuns were some sort of mythical creatures. Even though I was Catholic from the cradle. I only saw them in movies, which didnt portray them well at all (Sound of Music and a Nuns Story with Audrey Hepburn). I often thought of the grumpy old nuns with rulers in Catholic schools. So obviously, that way of life did not sound appealing. I always prayed to Jesus - Dont make me do that.
What was the defining moment you realized this was your calling?
I attended a Catholic conference and heard a talk on the lives of the saints given by a beautiful and YOUNG Sister of Life. The saint she mentioned was Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity. At age seven Elizabeth knew she was being set aside for Christ. The only thing on my mind at age seven was Cheetos. But, Elizabeths mother would not allow her daughter to be a nun and as she got older, sent her to to several military balls to try and get her married. The profound statement I am about to mention next is when I instantly knew that I was being called. All the men at the military ball one evening told Elizabeths mother: We cant marry her, look at her face...she is already taken. I realized being called to the life of virginity is for one reason and one reason alone, to console the Beloved Jesus, to be His spouse. To lay down my life for my friends, for my Jesus.
Whats the most asked question you get with this decision?
Two questions I am ALWAYS asked, is What will you do all day? and Do you not want a husband or children? I usually mentally roll my eyes at those questions, but I also realized that I must be patient with others. Because, I too used to ask those same questions. Only through grace was I shown the beauty of this life. The very life that most resembles Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I wrote a blog called Celibacy, the Misunderstood Calling, which tackles all of these questions through my own personal experiences. Check it out.
What order are you joining?
Watch my short Imovie - A Call to Carmel. Im entering the Discalced Carmelites.
Whats your name, and will your name be changing once you enter the Discalced Carmelites?
My name is Jade Breanne Banks! This time next year if I am still in the process of formation, my Mother superior (Mother Stella Marie of Jesus) will pray to the Holy Spirit and choose a new name for me. Based on our devotions, observation and prayer - she chooses. Just like Jesus changing Simons name to Peter when he became a disciple and his life changed forever. You are rock.
Having your whole life ahead of you, what if in the future you decide to do something else?
I think Jesus planned it this way, but before discerning this way of life I was an animal science major at Colorado State University. I wanted to be a veterinarian, I pursued that since I was a junior in high-school. I remember thinking that was the only career in the world I could see myself doing. But, you know whats funny? Even in high school when I was volunteering at a veterinary hospital, I used to come home at night and pray to God, saying:
I like this, but Im still not satisfied. I want more! I couldnt see myself living a normal life with a simple career forever. My heart knew better, but my brain had no clue at the time. As much as we need engineers, lawyers and veterinarians... the sad truth is we have WAY more engineers, lawyers and veterinarians than prayer warriors. We need laborers!
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (Matt 9:37)
Will you be allowed to use modern technology to communicate such as cell phones, internet/email, listen to music?
No technology. No cell phone. No email. No music, not the worldly type (Ill explain). Only snail mail! I can only write one letter a month (total) to my family. No letter writing during lent and advent! Once I am a fully professed nun (God willing) then I can respond to friends. Onto the music! Music is very much apart of the Carmelite lifestyle. Just like the angels singing at Christs feet, we sing all of our prayers for our Divine Office and The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Latin. Its a Gregorian chant style, its the most beautiful style of music I have ever heard. Its supernatural. I imagine more of a chant style of music in heaven over Jay-Z and those Highway to Hell jams. HA! I dont see angels rapping, no offense to the world!
The type of life youve chosen is one of dedication. Did you have any struggle at all knowing youre going to be leaving your current life to start a different path?
Thats a great question! Absolutely I struggled. Carmel is called the garden of Jesus and Marys precious flowers. I look back and am finally able to see what type of flower I am...the wild flower! Jesus had to do a LOT of pruning and pulling of weeds to show my rebellious heart what He made me for. Jesus, more than once, in scripture told the disciples that the world is NOT our friend. The world persecuted Him, it will persecute us. This day in age is all about success. But Ill leave this question with the wise words of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta: I am called to be faithful, not successful.
On a day-to-day basis, are there routine things?
Many people ask What do will you do all day?! Many cloistered nuns say One doesnt even know HOW much a Carmelite gets done is 24 hours. We have a set routine everyday. But, what sets us apart from other orders that serve Jesus through teaching, preaching and serving the poor? Carmelites are called to serve Jesus directly. Sitting at His feet like Mary Magdalene. The world calls it a waste, but Jesus calls it the better portion. Our whole day and life is a prayer. Prayer for salvation of souls, prayer for priests and serving the Poorest of the poor- Jesus Christ Himself. We eat three hardy meals a day, I say hardy because we cant eat in between if we all of the sudden get a Cheeto craving. We also observe a meatless diet as a sacrifice! (Going to miss bacon, but I can offer that up!). Im so excited because we live off what we have in our garden and have cows, sheep, cats and dogs! Its basically a ranch style convent and that was my major in college! So exercise wont be a problem, Jesus wouldnt let His little spouses starve. Carmel is a place where Jesus can rest and take delight in His creation. Thats only fitting!
All the nuns are covered medically! Dental, etc. and I dont mean through insurance. Every order is different, some orders have insurance, but we depend strictly on Divine Providence. Vows are taken of poverty, chastity and obedience. Poverty teaches us to allow Jesus to work through chosen souls to provide for us in ways of food, medical care and clothing. Thankfully, the nuns wear the traditional habit, so clothing isnt an issue. The only time we are able to leave the convent is for moving to a new convent (which we are doing in the spring), dental or medical care, fun fact!
No paycheck! With our vow of poverty, we dedicate our lives to Christ and souls of the world free of charge. Love should be freely given, thats my desire :)
What advice do you have for other women who are thinking about becoming a nun?
This is the most important question of all. Because, the only reason I wanted this published is for them. First of all... I love you all very much! Be not afraid to choose a radical and unworldly way to follow Jesus. The world we live in today teaches us to forget that we are temporary travelers. When we die, Jesus will not ask you what degree you got, how much experience you had, how many friends you had or how good your hair looked. He will ask... Did you LOVE? Ask yourself, How can I best do that? Not a worldly love, but a supernatural love. The last commandment Jesus left us was to LOVE one another, even our enemies. Take courage, and remember where you are weak, He is strong. With God ALL things are possible as Saint Gabriel told Mary when She was told that She was to be the Mother of God. Ave Maria, God bless you my dear sisters in Christ! And who cares what the world thinks, laugh at it! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: dictator; ffoti; francischurch
The tragic story of Francis' all-but-suppression of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is well known to our readers. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, we have now learned, have been banned from accepting postulants for three years, on order of their commissioner.
1
posted on
12/03/2017 5:10:53 PM PST
by
ebb tide
To: ebb tide
2
posted on
12/03/2017 5:18:10 PM PST
by
miserare
( Hillary--you lost! Get over it!!)
To: ebb tide
She means hearty meal, not hardy, but very impressive nonetheless.
3
posted on
12/03/2017 5:21:21 PM PST
by
steve86
(Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
To: ebb tide
4
posted on
12/03/2017 5:24:28 PM PST
by
pax_et_bonum
(Never Forget the SEALs of Extortion 17 - and God Bless The United States of America.)
To: ebb tide
Why is the order not allowed to accept novices?
To: Steve_Seattle; miserare
No explanation given. Very strange.
6
posted on
12/03/2017 5:37:53 PM PST
by
FES0844
(G)
To: FES0844
yes...she should have gone to Mother Angelica’s Order...they are still pure.
7
posted on
12/03/2017 5:42:03 PM PST
by
miserare
( Hillary--you lost! Get over it!!)
To: Steve_Seattle
Why is the order not allowed to accept novices?Because Bergoglio is the pope.
8
posted on
12/03/2017 5:42:44 PM PST
by
ebb tide
(We have a rogue curia in Rome.)
To: miserare
Convent life is not like it used to be.
9
posted on
12/03/2017 5:49:25 PM PST
by
FES0844
(G)
To: miserare
The discalced Carmelites were the order of St Theresa of Avalon. And John of the Cross. In their day they were very controversial and opposed by the (no surprise) Jesuits.
To: hinckley buzzard
Saint Teresa of Avila...a beautiful mystic...very misunderstood. In my youth, I wanted to be a Carmelite...but God had other plans...he sent into my life a persistent young man, whom I married...and we have given to the world...8 children, 17 grandchildren...11greatgrandchildren...and a partridge in a pear tree! 😇
11
posted on
12/03/2017 6:22:58 PM PST
by
miserare
( Hillary--you lost! Get over it!!)
To: Steve_Seattle
It seems their commissioner ,who runs things is liberal...Big shock..They are literally trying to shut down the order of friars and nuns...Pope John Paul gave them his blessing year’s ago...Seems Francis is jealous of any order that is thriving...The liberal ones are dying,so he wants to make sure all the traditional die too.
To: steve86
Assuming the writer transcribed the piece from an oral interview, the mistake of using “hardy” for “hearty” lies with him.
13
posted on
12/03/2017 6:43:34 PM PST
by
Bigg Red
(Vacate the chair! Ryan must go. Dump McConnman, too.)
To: Steve_Seattle
The FFI is/was an Order the was filling up with young recruits, took severe vows of poverty, love the TLM and preach the gospel in a manner that St. John Paul would have loved. In fact, John Paul helped establish the Order, which was found d by Fr. Manelli, who had Padre Pio has a spiritual advisor. Impeccable credentials right? Well they were until Francis came to town....thought they were too conservative, too faithful to the Catechism and with their affinity for the TLM, they must be Sedevacentists. Brought in a radical liberal investigate and oversee the Order. One of liberal recommendations - you can’t make this stuff up - the convents needed televisions so the nuns could be connected to the outside world. Keep in mind the nuns only served the poorest of the poor like Mother Teresa, they had no money to buy food and lived off of donations. Now Fr. Manelli is under house arrest, the seminary was closed and no more noviciates for 3 years. This is arguably the most astonishing, brutal and extreme thing Francis has done and that says a lot.
14
posted on
12/03/2017 6:43:37 PM PST
by
STJPII
To: Hambone 1934
The founder was placed under house arrest by PF. PF then hand selected one of his henchmen to come in and run it. This included shutting down their seminary, curtailing the TLM and inforcing multiple liberal edicts
15
posted on
12/03/2017 6:50:43 PM PST
by
STJPII
To: ebb tide
Bergoglio drove many of the Friars into the STREETS. Bishops were forbidden to employ them or incardinate them.
The worst pope of all time. ALL TIME.
16
posted on
12/03/2017 7:08:11 PM PST
by
Arthur McGowan
(https://youtu.be/hj3e8cKZWiY)
To: STJPII
To: STJPII
Thanks for the explanation. Very strange, to say the least.
To: miserare
Well you’ve certainly done your part to be fruitful and multiply.
May God bless you and your family.
19
posted on
12/03/2017 8:19:19 PM PST
by
PTBAA
To: miserare
yes...she should have gone to Mother Angelicas Order...they are still pure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last I heard, the max they can have at one time is 50.
They always have more wanting in than they can take.
They send out 5 IIRC at a time to form new Houses,
and then take in the next 5.
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