Sister Maria Teresa of the Trinity, OCD

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever!”

How well these words from Psalm 118, reflect my thoughts of gratitude for the support, encouragement and generosity of my community, family and friends which was shown on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of my vocation as a Discalced Carmelite Nun celebrated on May 31, 2014. The following words taken from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans could not be more appropriate to express my thanks for all the prayers and sacrifices which helped to make our celebration more like a family event, in an atmosphere of friendship, sharing God’s many gifts.

“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.”

The jubilee Mass was a most beautiful moment in time and in eternity with Fr. Ramiro Casale, OCD, as principal celebrant and Fr. Donald Kinney, OCD as homilist, with four concelebrants and two Carmelite Brothers present.  We learned a new lovely bilingual Mass for the occasion.  The people liked it very much and there were a few teary, joyful eyes among us. Even though it was foggy most of the day, it was truly a beautiful day because the Sun of Justice shone so brightly in our hearts and lighted the day with His presence.

Our three postulants helped decorate the refectory with streamers and made an illuminated shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  They also put on a play about Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, to whom she appeared in Mexico in 1531.  One postulant played Juan Diego, one was Our Lady and one was Bishop Zumarraga.  They made the stage set and their costumes.  It was charming and well done.  The whole day and everything was so beautiful and the joy of that day was real. Twenty-five years have gone by so fast.  To be a Carmelite is to live in the Heart of the Church as we read in the book of Ecclesiastes: “God put the timeless into their hearts.”  Therefore, to live in the Heart of the Church, (God’s heart) is to enter into Kairos, God’s sacred time where eternity begins. As I begin my next twenty-five years as a Carmelite Nun, I say it again:  “O, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.  Amen.”