6. Two Constitutions Approved

POPE JOHN PAUL II AT THE MONASTERY OF THE INCARNATION

In 1990, the Servant of God John Paul II adopted a new constitution for the Discalced Carmelite nuns. This constitution followed the revision of 1926 and came about due to the promulgation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law however also to reconcile Perfectae Caritatis, the Vatican II Decree on the Renewal of Religious Life.
These 1990 Constitutions were proposed by the prior of the Monastery of St. Joseph, Teresa’s first foundation, and Cerro de los Angeles, the first foundation of St. Maravillas of Jesus. Mother Maravillas of Jesus, as she was known at the time, spoke on behalf of more than ninety monasteries, basically asking the question: Were the reforms and rules for religious life that were laid down by St. Teresa, or rather the Holy Spirit working through St. Teresa, only valid for her time period? It is difficult to answer yes, if you look at the great efforts made through out the years to keep the observance and adherence to the Rule and Constitutions.

SAINT MARAVILLAS OF JESUS

Not all Carmelite nuns had the same feelings as Mother Maravillas and the ninety (90) monasteries behind her. Mother Maravillas and those Carmels were actually in the minority. The other monasteries put forth a different interpretation with different ways of adapting to the changed conditions of our time. Recognizing this disagreement in the means of adaption the Holy See sought to observe and respect the freedom that every monastery has to choose one or another of whatever approved Constitutional text. In 1991 Pope John Paul II approved a second Constitutional text for the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. The monasteries who desired this text wanted a greater relaxation of monastic life and to keep a legal link between the Superior General of the Discalced Carmelite Friars and themselves.

“How beautiful our vocation is, my dear sister!

We are together with our Savior, redeemer of souls.

We’re hosts in which Jesus dwells, living, praying and suffering for a sinful world. Was not this the life of the Most Holy Virgin, the most perfect of all created beings?

She carried the Word in silence.

She prayed and suffered always.

Wasn’t this life of prayer and sacrifice the one that Jesus lived for 30 years?

He spent but three years in preaching.

Isn’t this the life of Jesus in the Tabernacle?

Oh, sister dear, it is undoubtable that we’ve chosen the better part, since a Carmelite deals with God alone.

Ask Him to bring you very soon. Come then, and lose yourself in His divine arms. Come quickly that Jesus may find another host to offer to His eternal Father for souls. May nothing make you waver. Look at Him.

He’s awaiting you and is filled with infinite love and will make you His bride. He wants to forge with you the most intimate union.

He will make you divine, by joining Himself to you.

You will live in Jesus amid infinite sweetness, purity, holiness, goodness, amid the love of One who is God.”

- St. Teresa de los Andes (L.130)