Fifty years in any vocational state warrants some special observance, given the brevity of human life here on earth. Sr Antoinette Dickie, Superior of the Order of Corpus Christi Carmelites on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Sr Adriana Noel, expressed thanks and appreciation for the fifty years’ work and witness of this remarkable Caribbean woman.

Sr Adriana’s biographical details include her being born into a loving, supportive family; being schooled at Holy Faith Convent, Couva; accepting the call to Carmel’s Contemplation, Fraternity and Mission and zealously demonstrating the Carmelite charism where she worked in Grenada, Guyana and St Lucia; where she studied at Catholic Teachers’ Training College, Trinidad; at Leeds, Birmingham and Scotland in the United Kingdom.

Sr Antoinette profiled her ingenuity for things Carmel, for the upliftment of all; her initiatives concerning the Cause for the beatification of the Foundress, Mother Mary Ellerker of the Blessed Sacrament; her status as Episcopal Delegate for Religious in the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain – all supported by her serving God with joy and gladness; being faithful as Mary; devoted to the Eucharist and to Our Lady of Mount Carmel; personal qualities of strength and sternness, kindness and compassion.

Addressing Sr Adriana personally, Archbishop Gilbert wanted her to know publicly that the religious appreciate her for her outstanding contribution and service. He conferred on her the Papal Blessing in recognition of her role and function over the years.

Some 80 persons had been invited to the Mt Carmel Novitiate, situated on the curve of the winding hillside just below the Abbey of Mount St Benedict to this Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, May 13.

The protocol, practices and procedures for a Golden Jubilee were everywhere evident. There were the usual aesthetics associated with celebration  – the flowers and candles in a pristine chapel, and in the refectory afterwards the exquisitely iced, mounted cake complete with silver server; gold, yellow and white table settings.

It was the kind of hospitality which Carmelites offer to all, regardless of station in life. Sr Dorothy Cavaness, O Carm, one who never stops working until the mission is accomplished, ensured that the minutest detail was observed.

The Sacred Heart Traditional Choir in dress uniform brought their celestial voices to touch our emotions praying twice the majestic Latin Rite hymns Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei accompanied sensitively by both flautist, Allisten Cooper and keyboardist, Noella Tuitt-Henry.

Sr Adriana renews her vows. At left is Sr Antoinette Dickie.

The sign of peace.

Sr Adriana receives a papal blessing from Archbishop Edward Gilbert. Raymond Syms photos

Archbishop Edward J Gilbert was the main celebrant. Concelebrating with him in the sanctuary were Monsignor Christian Pereira, Vicar General, Monsignor Michael de Verteuil, Rector of the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs, Frs Robert Llanos, Hugh Joyeau and Carmelite Friars Frs Garth Eversley and Gerard Tang Choon.

Also present at the celebration were representatives of the various communities of Religious – Cluny, Missionary Sisters of Charity, Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena, the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, the Benedictine monks, and of course members of the Carmelite community – Carmelite Brother Brent, her Carmelite Sisters and the Lay Carmelite National Council. For this joyous occasion the Jubilarian’s biological family, relatives and friends completed the congregation.

The Archbishop opened the service by noting the importance of celebration, which was so palpable on this occasion. Archbishop Gilbert, who we have come to acknowledge as a master of occasion and deft with language, delivered the homily.

It was as usual simple in structure and concept but powerful in effect. This shepherd edified the flock with three images from the preceding three scriptural passages.

He placed them in pastoral context for the benefit of Carmelites, other religious and those from the other important vocations that Mother Church recognizes and supports. It is important to try to reproduce those inspired words, not with cold analysis but in the format below for posterity and for our continuous shared reflection. 

1. Book of the Apocalypse (21: 1-5) The World of the past has gone…. I am making the whole creation new.  We must have faith in God’s word, the Sacraments, community and be visibly present to and for others. We must see beyond present universal chaos and recognise God’s presence among us in His dedicated people.

The religious life is a testament to religious values. The nascent stirrings of humanity, infused with the Spirit, create a powerful tool when used at the ministries undertaken by the religious.

It is made visible in the Church which we are to look for and which signify the presence of God. The old world is dead. There is a new creation at the heart of apostolic religious life. We must therefore ensure that chaos dies. The religious are here to guarantee God’s values and contradict the other.

2. St Paul’s Letter 9 1:3-6, 11-14…. it is in Him that we were claimed.  In the vocation of Sr Adriana we see the classic workings of predestination versus free will. She was given the grace to hear and accept the call. People who do not believe find it difficult to share in the Divine Life.

Implicit faith is needed in our lives. We become vulnerable when we cannot keep our faith alive. Our vocation needs to be nurtured to grow. It must never stand still, but move in the Spirit. We must be avowed people of prayer. We must cultivate a lifestyle which makes it possible before the call to hear it, affirm it with commitment and flexibility for the period after the call.

A retrospective of the last fifty years show so many structural differences and so many onslaughts on the Church. Nonetheless, our gratitude must be demonstrable. It is imperative to personalise our gratitude, to explicitly list what God has done for us in every way!

3.  John 2: 1-11 Do whatever He tells you. Like Mary we must be constantly interceding for others. The testament to our faith must centre on the problems in the larger society as well as in the Church. We must consider particularly the problems in the Church.

We have to pray for the Church. We have to place these problems on the agenda for prayer. We must pray not only for our own needs, but accept the privilege to pray for others.

We must recognize that the religious do wonderful things for the Church, that they bring a certain chemistry to the community. The Christian life is not just external, but also in the heart.

Every moment in this moving ceremony was unique: the Prayers of the Faithful; the Renewal of Vows, the novices at the Presentation of Gifts as they offered the bread and wine singing With a Joyful Heart (Deiss), to the ethereal soprano voice of Sr Alphonsa Morris, O Carm as she sang How Can I say Thanks for the Meditation. 

Sr Adriana would like to gratefully and humbly thank the Archbishop, the concelebrating clergy, as well as members of the Carmelite family – novices, postulants, aspirants, Lay Carmelites – all who made the memorable event possible. She would affirm that “The Lord has done marvels for me, holy is His name.”

The occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Sr Adriana Noel, O Carm. was indeed a unique moment in time! Archbishop Gilbert alluded to the presence of God in this place.

Fittingly, these words from the Exsultet which Holy Mother Church asks us to reflect on during the Easter Season also come to mind for we are,
…… truly blest when heaven is wedded to earth,
And man is reconciled with God.     

With God’s will we look forward to her next milestone.
Ad multos annos, daughter of Carmel!