Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Cay Gibson
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Posted: Nov 08 2006 at 9:23pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson
Yesterday a lady invited me to a Lay Carmelite gathering. She briefly told me about it and said I could just come and see what it encompassed and decide from there if I felt called to this "type of spirituality".

It got me thinking. How many forms of Catholic spirituality are there? What makes them different? How do we know which one we are called to...especially when so many seem to spring off the others.

For the past couple of years I've been toying around with different forms of spiritality and didn't even know it.

I've explored:

The Rule of St. Benedict
The Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
The Little Way by St. Therese
The Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius

Recently I picked up The School of Mary by Fr. John Kane and published by Sophia Press and Praying in the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence which I was introduced to at a recent retreat and which was mentioned on this thread.

I also picked up a book on Carmelite Spirituality which led to the conversation and invitation from the woman in the bookstore.

In all of this I feel God's probing finger on my back. He's pushing me. He's pointing me in some direction but I'm clueless.

There are so many "forms" yet they all seem so closely entwined to one another. Can one just benefit from all of them? or is focus on a certain "form" better?

How do you know which "spirituality" you feel called to study and practice? When the lady said these words to me it was a new revelation. I didn't know that one could be "called to different forms of spirituality" but I guess that is why there are different orders for the religious.

How do I know which one fits me and my family life?
How do I know?
And why do I care?

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Cay Gibson
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hassiebro
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Posted: Nov 09 2006 at 7:53am | IP Logged Quote hassiebro
Hey Cay!
I am in a lay Carmelite community right now but still discerning because I am also drawn to another community in this area so I just continually pray that God will lead me to the community He wants me in. I can say that personally, for me, I could never become a saint without being in a community. It keeps me focused on my prayer life striving for union with God. (of course this is a life long journey)I have learned soooooooo much being in this community and we have an awesome priest as our director. So keep in mind when discerning...are you lead to become a contemplative in this secular world? Carmelites devote their lives to prayer for the Church and for our priests, which I do love! Do you love the lives of the Carmelite saints? Look for a community with a good leader...
Every community has a different charism they try to work towards living...So looking at that particular charism will help you decide also.
Keep praying...God will let you know! Mary will too!
In Him,
Hassie
also from the Bayou area....dh Chad, sons Dustin, Baron, dds Courtney, Caitlyn, one saint...Little Jacob of Jesus and an angel in Heaven...
PS...it may not be for everyone but for me I know it is my only chance to get to heaven!!
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