ALL THAT IS HIDDEN

  Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.   Col 3:1-5

Our life is a paradox: we are called to be ‘visible witnesses,’ ‘living memories.’ We have lived in the Hudson Valley almost 56 years and people hardly knew we were here.  Yet, in these past two years we have been ‘visible’ in that just about everyone knew of our plight: our search for a new home.  And while often, we were like Martha, ‘busy with many things,’ our friends, associates, religious from other congregations and total strangers have been ‘living memories’ to us by the prayer, love and support they have given us.    And we are grateful for their witness.

When we felt we were not always visible witnesses, even with our continuance of our life of prayer, our Constitutions & Statutes reassures us when it states, “Although hidden in Christ and scarcely visible to the eyes of the world, our life of adoration, praise and intercession is of itself fully apostolic.    Radiating the spirit of love it contributes to the support of those who consecrate themselves to the work of evangelization. At the service of the missionary Church our life is an offering for the salvation of our sisters and brothers in Christ.”

Our life is a mystery: so many times in the last two years we tried to find a patch of ground to plant ourselves in but it wasn’t until we felt like we were dying when new ground was offered:  grounds that are an already well maintained garden, both in Carmel and Meadowview, with room for us to plant ourselves to bring forth a glory which is yet to be revealed. 

The last line of the hymn ‘All That is Hidden’ made me think of tomorrow’s feast of the Most Holy Trinity. It said, ‘I have planted your life deep within mine,’ which reminded me of something the Lord said to Celeste, ‘Become transformed into the Blessed Trinity where God unites you in a way that God’s own life is lived in you.’

This is our call to participate in the Incarnation.  Because the Word is planted deep in our hearts we can and do reveal God’s life, God’s loving plan of redemption.  And as time goes on we wonder what glory will be revealed to us and for us to proclaim. 

INSPIRATION OF THE SPIRIT



Moira '13

On this feast of Pentecost may you be filled with all the Gifts of the Spirit!

 

Your Redemptoristine Sisters come to you this day with news.  A month ago, the Carmel of the Incarnation in Beacon, New York extended an invitation to us to share space in their monastery when they realized their building was being under-utilized. We all feel this was the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   

The Redemptoristines and the Carmelites have been linked by prayer, friendship, and support for over 45 years as founding members of the Metropolitan Association of Contemplative Communities.  

Thank you for your prayers and support since we began our search for a new monastery.  We vetted over 100 convents and properties in an effort to find a place that would support our life of prayer and found nothing that would enable us to maintain our monastic lifestyle.  Therefore, we have decided to accept their generous offer that we may continue our Redemptoristine charism for the church and the world in a shared monastic setting. 

As nine members of the Redemptoristine community, we had made a commitment to one another that we would remain together as community but within the last year it has become evident that we could no longer support our sisters who require daily support for their special needs.  Thus, we made the difficult decision that three of our sisters, as much as we love and cherish them, must go into assisted living.  They will be moving to Meadowview for Assisted Living at Wartburg in Mount Vernon, New York, June 11, 2013.

We have had many discussions in the past few weeks with our Carmelite sisters and find we have much in common regarding our monastic contemplative lifestyle.  Did you know our foundress Ven. Maria Celeste Crostarosa began her religious life as a Carmelite?   We firmly believe that being mature religious firmly rooted in our unique charisms, our sharing of space within the Beacon monastery will be one of enrichment and support for both communities rather than diminishment of our particular gifts to the people of God.

And so, Carmel of the Incarnation will welcome six Redemptoristine followers of the Wayfarer into their monastery on June 25, 2013.   We are pleased that we have finally found a place to call home just forty minutes from where we now reside and are able to remain here in the Hudson Valley in a peaceful monastic setting in Beacon close to our friends, associates and doctors, and feel blessed to continue to be a visible witness and Viva Memoria of the Paschal Mystery of Redemption of the Father’s plan of love through Christ and in the Spirit by our Redemptoristine life of prayer.