At present there are three young men in touch with me who are
seriously considering Carmelite life. All in their 20s, you might
keep them in your prayers over the next few months as they endeavour
to discern what God really wants of them.
The late Cardinal O’Connor of New York once said that
if we look after the quality of Christian living, God will look
after the vocations. Wherever Christian life is lived with generosity,
there vocations are more likely to flourish. A recent survey
in Ireland concludes that the values enshrined in the vows of
poverty, chastity and obedience are top of the list among the
things that make religious life unattractive for youth. The survey
also mentioned the perception among young people that among the
professions, priesthood and Religious Life rank way down the
list in the status stakes. In itself status is not a major concern
of ours because it is not a gospel value, but if our way of life
is not valued and esteemed it isn’t likely to attract good
candidates. Consequently, I feel that my main role as Vocations
Director for the Carmelites in Ireland is to present our Way
of Life in an enthusiastic and positive light.
When you hear the word “Carmelite” what comes to
mind?
- An enclosed nun?
- A monastery?
- Prayer?
If you are unfamiliar with who we are, your perception of us
may be as austere, out-of-touch, on our knees all the time.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth….
I suppose without interpretation the Carmelite Way of Life (or
any other form of religious life) could be understood to be advocating
withdrawal from the world. But the fact is that as Carmelites
we understand only too well that it is precisely in the midst
of the world that God is met.
The essential human experience is this: the hungers of our heart
become so powerful that they send us into the world seeking nourishment.
What happens? We pour our deepest desires into relationships,
possessions, plans, activities, goals and ask that they bring
fulfilment to our deepest hungers.
We take the good things of God and try to make them into gods;
but unfortunately we simply ask too much from them and they begin
to crumble under our expectations. Such is life. For most people
it takes a whole lifetime to discover that. Our Carmelite tradition
appeals to those who have tried other paths in life for fulfilment,
only to find that their hearts have become enmeshed in false
illusions of happiness in the many competing false idols and
base values of our times. The Carmelite Order’s memory
is about a special place – ‘Carmel’; our mission
is Mary’s mission - to bring Christ to the world, to help
people to find the Garden, that sacred place in their lives where
they can meet God, their Saviour.
There are signs in our country suggesting that the Celtic Tiger
is gradually giving way to the Celtic Soul. As the incredible
reaction to the visit of the relics of St. Thérèse
and the success of the Glenstal Book of Prayer all vividly illustrate,
there IS a spark out there only waiting to be fanned into flame.
I am going on 16 years in the Order now along with Fr. Paddy
who joined at the same time as me, along with four others. I
can only but sing the praises of the Carmelites. I have known
them all my life and was educated by them at Terenure College
(beside where I was brought up). Since my ordination to the priesthood
in 1997 here in St. Colmcille’s Parish, I have been involved
in parish ministry. I was in Beaumont Parish (beside the hospital)
for three years up to August 2003.
We currently have two students in Ireland and many more in Zimbabwe,
Africa (which is part of the Irish Province of the Order). A
few weeks ago we were very pleased to welcome a new member to
our Province. From our parish in Beaumont, North Dublin, he is
21 years of age and tells me that so far, he is loving every
minute of his new life in Carmel.
On Sunday October 24th at 12 noon in Terenure College Chapel,
Sean Forde, a former solicitor and native of Galway, will be
ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Fiachra O’Ceallaigh,
O.F.M. May the Holy Spirit be his inspiration and guide and may
many others have the courage and generosity to leave everything
behind just as Sean did, and follow the path less travelled.
More than ever before, we need to pray in earnest that many
more people will give generously of their lives TODAY, so that
we may be able to respond adequately to the spiritual needs of
tomorrow, and together reap the harvest with joy.
If you would like to spend a few days living with a Carmelite
community this can be arranged. It would provide you with a faith
environment in which to discern God’s will in your life
and savour a little of what a serious commitment to Jesus might
require. It would be an opportunity to relax, discuss, reflect
and pray with Carmelites who live together as brothers and seek
the face of God in and through one another and the people they
serve.
A vocation from God is always one that calls a person to live
a fulfilled and happy life. For some, this desire can lay dormant
for many years, and then an event or a chance encounter will
bring it alive. So let’s pray through the intercession
of one of Carmel’s most celebrated daughters, St. Therese
of Lisieux, that those who sense God may be calling them to become
a sister, brother, or priest within our Order will have the courage
and generosity to respond to His gentle invitation. “O
that TODAY you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts” (Psalm
95).
If you feel that God might be calling you to be a Carmelite
friar, I would be more than happy to meet with you and accompany
you on your path of discernment. Please don’t hesitate
to contact me: pbrennan@carmelites.ie
Philip Brennan, O.Carm.,
Director of Vocations for the Carmelites in Ireland.
The late Cardinal O’Connor of New York once said that
if we look after the quality of Christian living, God will look
after the vocations. Wherever Christian life is lived with generosity,
there vocations are more likely to flourish. A recent survey
in Ireland concludes that the values enshrined in the vows of
poverty, chastity and obedience are top of the list among the
things that make religious life unattractive for youth. The survey
also mentioned the perception among young people that among the
professions, priesthood and Religious Life rank way down the
list in the status stakes. In itself status is not a major concern
of ours because it is not a gospel value, but if our way of life
is not valued and esteemed it isn’t likely to attract good
candidates. Consequently, I feel that my main role as Vocations
Director for the Carmelites in Ireland is to present our Way
of Life in an enthusiastic and positive light. 
The essential human experience is this: the hungers of our heart
become so powerful that they send us into the world seeking nourishment.
What happens? We pour our deepest desires into relationships,
possessions, plans, activities, goals and ask that they bring
fulfilment to our deepest hungers. 
We currently have two students in Ireland and many more in Zimbabwe,
Africa (which is part of the Irish Province of the Order). A
few weeks ago we were very pleased to welcome a new member to
our Province. From our parish in Beaumont, North Dublin, he is
21 years of age and tells me that so far, he is loving every
minute of his new life in Carmel. 
A vocation from God is always one that calls a person to live
a fulfilled and happy life. For some, this desire can lay dormant
for many years, and then an event or a chance encounter will
bring it alive. So let’s pray through the intercession
of one of Carmel’s most celebrated daughters, St. Therese
of Lisieux, that those who sense God may be calling them to become
a sister, brother, or priest within our Order will have the courage
and generosity to respond to His gentle invitation. “O
that TODAY you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts” (Psalm
95).