A Beautiful Gift From God

 Finally, after almost a month, I received my parcel from Saint Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania, USA. I am deeply grateful to the Director of Oblates for accepting me, and for allowing me to have my investiture in my own parish.

This experience means so much to me because of what I went through in the past. I was formerly part of the Third Order Carmelites, but I withdrew from my formation because of an incident in which my investiture was put on hold. One of the lay leaders insisted that I attend physical formation meetings, even though I had already explained my situation to our National Formator. Sadly, my circumstances were not understood. 

I have tried joining a lot of lay religious and consecrated order and community when I was still single and as a married woman. When I was still single I joined the Cenacle Auxiliaries (vowed lay women), Order of the Discalced Carmelites Secular and then as a married woman I tried to look into the Franciscans (my heart is not really in their charism), Third Order of Carmelites and also the Lay Cistercian in the US. In the end I was accepted and I chose the Benedictine because of the balance in work and prayer. The order is not extremely strict it is a balance of moderation.

He kept comparing my situation to his own, saying that in his time he attended in-person meetings. At that time, however, I could not do the same—especially because my husband wanted me to focus on our family, and I also had a three-year-old child. The pressure became so heavy that I found myself crying. My husband saw how deeply affected I was by what was happening in our Third Order community. Because of this, I decided not to continue toward postulancy and formally withdrew from the Third Order Carmelites.

Even though the Carmelite family has always been very dear to me—especially because of Thérèse of Lisieux—I had to let go because of the painful and traumatic experiences I went through there.

Now, I truly believe that God has given me the religious family I have been longing for in the Benedictine family, particularly through Saint Vincent Archabbey. Truly, God knows best.

Benedict of Nursia and Scholastica, pray for us—for all Oblates and all Benedictines.

The Desert Fathers

          I have seen a documentary from EWTn about The Desert Fathers. Since I am drawn to monasticism and of course as a Benedictine by heart and I am studying also under the Cistercian as an associate, it is important for me to know about them.

The documentary started when Paul of Thebes runaway because of persecution of Christians and also he is regarded as the first Christian hermit.

One character that has struck me is how they are detached from the world but never forget to pray for all the people. They also gave us a beautiful teaching of never be enticed by worldly treasures because everything else here in this world is temporary. I also saw how they live. He wove leaves of palm tree for his garment and live only on dates and water from a nearby spring. One amazing story is how a raven always brings him a half of loaf bread daily. Such kindred souls with these two holy souls! When St. Paul of Thebes died in a posture in prayer, St. Anthony then wrapped the body of St. Paul with the cloak from St. (Bishop) Athanasius for burial.

I also love the part of the documentary when St. Anthony the Great searched to find Paul, to find a kindred spirit. I pray that I may find my kindred one too spiritually. No one understand one's spiritual journey unless you're in the same level of understanding. People from the secular world won't understand and also even members from our family may find us weird or strange, and we might even be mocked or persecuted. When I was a reader during my highschool days at mass in our school chapel, I will never forget a verse from my reading, "Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth. All things are vanity!" I asked one of the religious sisters (Daughters of Charity, my school was run by them.) how to pronounce Qoheleth, so I will never forget this line. 

What lessons thus we can learn from The Desert Fathers. In solitude can we really hear God, we need to take a pause and take time to reflect despite with our busy life in this world. Everything is temporary. We must not be enticed with the riches of this world, to live only for the riches, to enjoy and indulge in wine, food and sex. The belief that "YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE." So enjoy when you have the time is very wrong. We only live one so we must do the right things. 

St. Jerome in his letters strongly criticized the rich and wealthy people. For him it is immoral to live lavishly while others suffered! Isn't what he wrote also echoes what is happening in our society today?  Corruption is rampant, the poor are getting poorer because of this. 

In ending, we can find God in solitude, practice humility and detachment from worldly distractions to achieve purity of heart. Practice silence one of the things I learned from one of the books that I am studying now, do self-examination and always never forget pray! Pray unceasingly! 

On Wearing Chapel Veil or Mantilla

Wearing a veil or chapel veil dates back to the early Christian Church. During the time of Vatican I, women cover their heads with a veil when they enter a church, chapel, or when they attend Mass.

At that time, in Catholic practice, women were expected by custom to cover their heads in church. It was considered part of proper modesty and reverence during worship.

St. Paul writes about this in 1 Corinthians, chapter 11. This is more of a custom. According to Fr. Mike Schmitz, we are free to make use of it, just like other sacramentals such as scapulars, etc.

One Benedictine monk once told Fr. Mike Schmitz that if you are doing something that sets you apart in public worship or public liturgy, as distinct from everyone else, then you should take a moment and ask, “Why am I doing this?”

Nowadays, women are not required to wear a veil. Let me cite from Wikipedia: current Catholic canon law does not require women to wear veils or head coverings at Mass; the 1983 Code of Canon Law repealed the earlier explicit requirement.

But personally, for me, the practice of wearing a veil in church even if it sets you apart from the community, where usually only older women, mostly seniors and grandmothers, wear veil. For me, wearing one is a sign of reverence to God and to the Holy Eucharist. It is an act of showing you respect to our Lord God and it expresses modesty more than simply wearing your Sunday's best.

Let us make ourselves beautifully proper for our Lord God and to always be on time when attending mass. If you can be beautifully and handsomely dressed when facing your loved one and on time on your date and meeting. All the more you should be ready, prepared and on time for mass! Shouldn't we be ashamed of ourselves when we are on time in other events but often come late at mass!

I'm thankful to my former Third Order Carmelite family for giving me this beautiful veil or mantilla. According to the giver, it has already been blessed. This mantilla has a beautiful lace design with the word “Jerusalem” and an image of our Blessed Mother Mary carrying the Child Jesus. ✍️ #fromthepilgrimsdesk #mantillaveil #Catholicmass