On July 16, 2007, the Corpus Christi Carmelites launched their Centenary Year with a liturgy in the Cathedral of the Archdiocese. I shall use my column this week to share the homily I preached at the liturgy.

“Every religious community has a history which tells the story of its journey. The journey always has two aspects: 1) The theological – the theological aspect concerns the charism of the institute and answers the question of why the community came into being; and 2) The historical – the historical aspect tells the story of how the charism took root over time. For the history to be authentic, it must reflect the theological charism.

Knowing the theological and the historical aspects of a community’s life is an essential component for the initial formation of new members. It also becomes the heart of renewal programmes for the professed members of the community. As a matter of fact, many religious communities offer the members special spiritual formation programmes as a dimension of their jubilee celebrations.

These programmes which include retreats and study sessions at the historical sites of the institute are designed to help members recall the beginnings of the institute, to reflect on the charism of the institute, to encourage recommitment to the institute’s charism and to assure that the contemporary apostolates of the community still flow from the charism of the institute.

The charism of the institute

What is the charism of the Corpus Christi Carmelites? The answer to that question is found in the early stages of the foundress’s journey.

1) In 1906, Clara Rose Ellerker, who was a convert, became a novice in a French Religious Order called Our Lady of Compassion. In discernment, she eventually moved on but not for vocational reasons. She was told by the superior of the French Order that she was ahead of her time. That perception was accurate and became an asset in the founding of the Corpus Christi Carmelites. 

2) Two years later, on July 16, 1908, an English bishop asked her and her companions to work in his diocese for the reunion of Christendom and to help him care for the poor and suffering adults as well as for their children. The motto of the group of three was ‘to serve the Lord with gladness.’

3) The group of three became Dominican Tertiaries on December 8, 1908. Clara Ellerker took the name Mary of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1909, they moved into a permanent residence which they named Corpus Christi House to show they were dedicated to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. They gave retreats, held sessions for converts and were involved in secondary education.

4) Their journey and the development of their charism was not over. In 1918, a Dominican Archbishop, Archbishop Dowling, invited them to work in Trinidad and Tobago.

When they arrived, they stayed with the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny who welcomed them and cared for them. Soon they were given care of the Spaccapietra House for the Aged Poor also known as L’Hospice. In 1923, they accepted care for the Government Girls’ Industrial School. Around the same time, the community also opened foundations in the United States.

5) The young group asked Rome for formal approval. They were told by Rome to affiliate with an already established group. Naturally, they chose the Dominicans. Here we find the importance of an institute’s charism for decision-making. The sisters were told their laudable ministry did not fit with the charism of the Dominican Order. So the journey continued.

6) In 1923, they were invited to affiliate with the Carmelite community. In 1927, they were accepted by the Carmelite Order. A year later the motherhouse was canonically established in Trinidad.

Scriptural readings

These developments not only explain the charism of the Corpus Christi Carmelites, they also explain why the first reading of the liturgy was chosen by the Sisters. It was taken from First Kings, the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel where he challenged Israel to choose Yahweh, the true God, and to make God the priority of their lives.

There is a Carmelite monastery on Mt Carmel to this day which shares Carmelite spirituality with pilgrims. In a time of many conflicting voices and values, the Carmelite presence, witness and ministry reminds us of the call of Elijah: Choose the true God and make God the priority of your lives.

The second reading from Galatians reflects the spirituality of Carmelite ministry: treating all people with respect because, in Christ, they all share the dignity of being the adopted children of God.

What belonged to Jesus by his nature, now belongs to us by grace. The Carmelites meet the needs of the poor, the mentally challenged and they facilitate people’s holistic growth through education. They make no distinctions regarding those whom they serve. They see all people through the eyes of faith.

The Gospel reading from John highlights the unique role of Mary in Salvation History. The last page of the programme for this liturgy states that the Corpus Christi Carmelites have taken Mary, the Mother of God under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as their model. They journey in faith and, similar to Mary, share in the unfolding of the mystery of redemption.

The gratitude of the archdiocese

The Corpus Christi Carmelites have given and continue to give exemplary service to the people of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. Their pastoral service is faithful to their charism which is always the ultimate test of authenticity for religious communities.

The Sisters are involved in ecumenical ministry and represent the archdiocese on the Christian Council. They serve the poor, suffering adults, the mentally challenged and they also serve in education – precisely what they came into being to do in 1908. They also serve in the subsidiary ministries that flow from the major categories of their charism.  

On behalf of the Archdiocese, I thank the Corpus Christi Carmelites for their presence, their witness and their ministry. I congratulate the Sisters as they launch their centenary year. I pray that God will continue to bless your community with a spirit of fidelity to charism and generous service to God’s people.

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