When in the course of formation a Secular Discalced Carmelite makes temporary promises, the individual adds to his/her name a devotional name usually a mystery or attribute for example Gertrude of the Holy Rosary or Ralph of the Resurrection or even Blanche of Theresa of the Child Jesus.
For some reason I find this very exciting and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. You want to find the perfect name, a name that you can live with for the rest of your life, but even more a name that you can meditate on and strive for and plummet the depths of its meaning for the rest of your life and perhaps even into all eternity.
Back in May of 2012, the first name that suggested itself to me was Marsha of the Ineffable Flame of God's Love. It was a good name a deep name, a name worthy of holding in your heart and pondering. Irene Groot is writing a book on Catholic symbolism and had wonderful things to say about the symbol of flame and fire as a symbol of the Divine Indwelling.
Then I considered Marsha of the Most Precious Blood. The Precious Blood for me unites all the greatest deepest most profound Devotions of the Church. It ties the Eucharist to the Sacred Heart to the Divine Mercy. One could meditate on the Most Precious Blood night and day for all eternity and never grasp its full meaning.
Now I am holding to my heart Marsha of the Crucified Christ. St. Teresa of Jesus writes in her book The Way of Perfection that the foundation of prayer is the virtues of humility, detachment and unconditional love. When I look at the crucifix that is what I see humility, detachment and unconditional love.
In Carmel unceasing prayer is the Rule of Life it is the path to all other goals and aspirations. The Crucified Christ, is the personification of unceasing prayer. He is the perfection of the those virtues which are prayer's foundation. He is the exampler of what unceasing prayer looks like. He is the beloved to which we attach ourselves and with whom we seek perfect union.
I have roughly ten months before I will make my temporary promises, perhaps longer. I've considered three names in the last six months. How many more will I consider? I don't know, right now I am content with Marsha of the Crucified Christ. It has dimenstions I have not yet pierced. If one takes a name of suffering, might that not require a willingness to suffer also? A willingness that right now today I do not have? But however many names I consider, each is an opportunity to know my beloved better.
Great post!I wrote about my name in Carmel here: http://desertofmyheart.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-own-of-thorns.html
ReplyDeleteI chose Theresa of Jesus Crowned with Thorns due to my struggle with depression and insomnia. I have shared in the suffering for over 10 years. I always felt drawn to that mystery even before having depression.
Many prayer for you as you continue to journey. The Spirit will lead you to the right name.
Looking to be approved for membership at the old Lefora SDA2RC Forum, would like to go back and look at some of our conversations please. Name is Mark2
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