Before The Face of God
On the History and Spirit of Carmel
1)According to St Teresa Benedicta …what is a Carmelite’s vocation?
How did Elijah live out his Carmelite vocation?
Since we are the Group of Saint Elijah…what characteristic of St Elijah does our Group live out most faithfully?
2) According to St Teresa Benedicta, How should we “meditate on the law of the Lord day and night?”
3) According to St Teresa Benedicta, how can Carmelites repay God’s love? (pg 6)
The Prayer of the Church
Prayer of the Church
1) Liturgy and Eucharist are our public prayer together.
1)singing
2)listening to Scripture
3)Homily
4)Communion
5)other people present
how do each of these help you in your spiritual life?
2)Teresa Benedicta sees solitary prayer as also The Prayer of the Church. Prayer is for our sanctification but also for others. She says those who must be concerned with things of the world, when they have reached the highest level of prayer think of nothing else but giving themselves to the apostolate which God has called them to.
How is your vocation to Carmel drawing you closer to your apostolate? Be that family, spouse, a particular ministry etc?
The Hidden life II.3 (pages 67-75)
and
Saint Teresa Margaret Redi
Quotes and Florilegio from
http://www.stteresamargaret.org/
1) From reading these writings of St Teresa Margaret, do you see more of an influence of St John of the Cross or St Teresa of Jesus in her spirituality? Why do you think this?
2) Of the quotes from the Florilegio,
a) What is your favorite quote?
b) What is the one you find most difficult and how is it difficult?
3) John’s major theme of his spirituality was “Naked to follow the naked Christ”,
St Teresa of Jesus’ was “Fix your eyes on Christ” or “Remember who you are and
who God is”. What would be a theme in the life of St Teresa Margaret?
(Not for sharing with the group…What would be your theme?)
4) The Grace received by St Teresa Margaret in 1767 (Deus Caritas Est) could be compared to the conversion of St.Therese; it changed her understanding of God and her personality.
What changes were mentioned?
5) St Teresa of Jesus said the water is for the flowers. In other words the Graces given are for the growth of virtues for the good of others. How did this Grace (Deus Caritas Est) feed those around Teresa Margaret?
6) Teresa Margaret lived “the hidden life”. This was a love of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Brother Lawrence and other Carmelite Saints.
a) Describe “the Hidden Life” as Teresa Margaret lived it?
b) How can we as seculars live a hidden life?
Most of the writing by St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross tells of the time up to St Teresa Margaret’s Clothing. The notes in the front say this was written in the year of St Teresa Benedicta’s Clothing. It is written with such love and admiration; it seems that this little Saint was an inspiration for her as she prepared to enter Carmel .
At The Foot of The Cross
These writings from St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) are extremely powerful, written in the shadow of the Holocaust. The last one from 1941 was written less than a year before she was deported, arrested and sent to to Auschwitz. This was the last time she would renew her vows and she seemed to know her destiny. Being born on the Feast of Atonement she felt her life to have the purpose of sacrifice for the Jewish people. She was ready.
It is said that in the death camp, when mothers were paralyzed with fear this little Bride of Christcomforted the children, with love and care, combing their hair and caring for them as much as she could.
Do you think she comforted them with words of Christ’s love? or Do you think she stayed silent of her beliefs, choosing rather being Christ to others with her witness, respecting the beliefs of the Jewish heritage that most of them lived in?
What new perspective on the Evangelical Councils did you find through Teresa Benedicta’s eyes?
The Grace of Vocation
The Hidden Life and Epiphany
1)How do you see yourself in this great eternal, hidden plan of God?
2)How has your time in Carmel been an Epiphany for you?
3)For Teresa Benedicta, her renewal of vows was an Epiphany, a time of grace to “recharge her” how do you feel about the promises we make as Seculars.
For Jan 6th 1941
1)St Teresa B talks about the feasts of the Saints near Christmas and why they are placed there.
Around what mystery of Christ would you place yourself? Why?
Christmas, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, Pentacost. presentation of the Lord, Ash Wednesday, Annunciation, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Transfiguration. Exaltation of the Cross?
No Saint feast days allowed! No Mary days!
How do you connect to the Lord?
