joyhogan50

Miriam Hogan, O.C.D.

The gospel of Luke states that Jesus "unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor..... and to
proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke 4: 18-19

This year as we celebrate 100 years since the first Carmel was established in Iowa on November 24, 1911; we are called to rejoice and to remember those that have made it possible for us "to announce a year of favor from the LORD." Isaiah 61:2

In a brief article it would be almost impossible to adequately give credit to the sisters that founded, built and cared for this Carmel over the years. However, we could perhaps briefly examine their reasons for desiring to live this kind of Gospel life. Further, we could ask if these sacred ideals still apply to those of us that are now living in the Carmel today.

To begin with, we have some quotes¹ that were delivered on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone in Davenport, June 16, 1912. Concerning the purpose of the Sisters we find:

"The life of the Carmelite Sisters is the life of Jesus in Nazareth. They try to imitate Him, therefore it is holy and useful, pleasing to God and a blessing to fellowmen, approved of by God and approved of by the Church."

"(Jesus) first illustrated the ideal, simple, quiet life in Nazareth, and then he went to preach it. Such a hidden life was the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, called by God Himself blessed among all the women of the world. The influence of her example has done more for the good of all future generations than all the teaching and preaching of the reforming women of the world."

"Thus as Christ, as Moses, as all the great leaders and benefactors fought their battles and won their victories with the mighty sword of prayer, these Sisters of Mount Carmel, daughters of St. Teresa, spouses of Jesus Christ, pray for you, Catholics and non-Catholics, members of the laity and especially members of the clergy, day and night,..."

Mary Pondered In Her Heart

Almost hundred years later Bishop Martin Amos of Davenport commenting on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel stated that "Mary pondered these things in her heart"... and that we as contemplatives are called upon in a special way to also ponder these things in our hearts. He concluded that:

"Exodus says: The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one person speaks to another. The Lord invites you to that intimacy."

This intimacy with God to which we are called is not for ourselves alone however. The longer that one experiences the life of Carmel the more they begin to understand that it is a life of prayer for all of God's people. Once people requested prayers by letter or by coming to the monastery, or having a friend ask the Sisters to pray. Whereas, now they continue to use these means they also send in requests by email and phone and sometimes by Skype. It is our gift to be able to place these intentions before God in the Mass and in our personal and community prayer.

We Unite Our Prayers

Further, continuing under the protection and guidance of our Lady, and especially during this Centenary year, we unite our prayers with the prayers of all of our sisters that have gone before us. May we continue to be renewed in their ideals and their vocations to contemplative prayer. May the Holy Mountain of Carmel that they worked so hard to make present to the people of Iowa² continue to be a place of prayer and God's presence for future generations. Finally, may we celebrate this year with gratitude and praise for God's steadfast love according to the words of the Psalmist.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into God's presence with singing! Ps 100

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¹ The following three quotes are taken from a speech by Rev. C. M. Thuente, O.P. that are published in Carmel On The Mississippi which was written by Sr. Thérèse McDonald, O.C.D. and published by John A. Wirig Printing Co., Davenport, Iowa, July 16, 1926.

²Our Carmel was the fifth Carmel founded from Baltimore. We in turn had three foundations sent out to New Albany Indiana, Milwaukee Wisconsin, and Sioux City Iowa. Here is a list of some of the important dates that can be found on our web site : http://www.carmelsong.com/hubforpicturesofhistoricalimportance.htm

Nov. 24, 1911 - Opening Day in Davenport
Queen Anne Cottage, at Fifteenth and Brady Streets

June 29, 1916 - The Nuns moved to Bettendorf

November 24, 1922 - A foundation was sent out to New Albany, Indiana, (later transferred to Indianapolis on September 27, 1932 - relocated to Oldenburg in 2008) From Indianapolis a foundation was made to Terre Haute Indiana in 1947, and a second foundation was made to Reno, Nevada, in 1954.

May 1923 - The first canonical election was held.

August 18, 1923 - Death of Mother Clare

1932 - First wing of Indianapolis Carmel completed

1939 - Mother Aloysius and Sr. Emmanuel of Bettendorf
were invited to help the community in Indianapolis

November 14, 1940 - Foundation Mass celebrated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (Carmel later was transferred to Pewaukee Wisconsin) ... one foundation was made from Pewaukee to St. Paul in 1952 (later transferred to Lake Elmo Minnesota on December 6, 1953).

April 11, 1949 - Solemn Profession made by Nuns

January 1962 - Foundation made in Sioux City Iowa
from Bettendorf

November 24, 1975 - Moved from Bettendorf to Eldridge