Dear Elizabeth,
Greeting in the Lord! It was a joy to receive your letter and especially your picture. What a lovely and sweet looking "ordinary girl" you seem to be. I enjoyed your letter as you laid out some of the secrets of your heart. You meioned hat you are in the thrid semester of college at George Washington Universiy. Now I know there is a George Washington University in Washington, DC and ther is a Washington University here in St. Louis. Do you have one in Ohio also? You will have to enlighten me about this. What are you majoring in your studies? That's great that you do enjoy school very much.
On the other hand, I understand when you say that Jesus is also tugging at your heart and soul. There are some whom he has a special, special love for and cannot take his eyes of of them. Whatever you are supposed to do God usually puts that desire in our hearts to get us where we will be most healed, most loved and most happy.
Let me tell you very briefly about our community. We are "the little college of Christ" and called to be intimate friends of Jesus. Oour life is wonderful because we all hav the same goal - to love God totally. Have your ead about St. Therese? She discovered her vocation (the vocation of every Carmelite) to be love at the heart of the Church and of the world. We are a contemplative community, that is, we live in enclosure or the Garden of Carmel- where Jesus walks among the lilies, his brides. Prayer is our priamry apostolate, although we do many things and time goes much too fast in Carmel. I am putting a brochure in for you to read.
I presume that your health is good as you look very healty. How many brother sand sisters do you have? While you are quite humble -- the next time ou write -- I want to hear all about all the wonderful things that God has done for you and in you. I'm sure that you know Mary's Magnificat. She as so litle and poor and yet she magnififed God "who has done great things for me!" I bet God has done grea thing sfor you too, Eliabeth! I can't imagine you being a trial to anyone as you look very sweet on your pictures. So now I will truly be looking forward to hearing about all the gifts that God has showered on you.
I am presently the Novice Mistress and writing for Mother Stella Maris, our Prioress. Next week we have a woman coming for a live-in period to see how Carmelites live. It will be ajoy to have her with us. We are preparing for our Mt. Carmel Novena. I will also send you a copy. We have been buys writing, printing, and mailing it out. Amost a thousand people come each night to hoor our sweet Mother of Mt. Carmel. Now if you want to know any more, you will have to write back again. In the meantime I will ask Jeus to bless and guide you and to fill your heart with great love!
Sincerely in the love of Christ!
Sister Mary Joseph
Novice Mistress-Formation Director
June 24, 2004
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