Each of God’s workings and movements are amazing and worth recounting; each is a story in itself. Here is the interesting story of his workings, in the beginnings of the Carmel of Chicalim, dedicated to the Most Blessed Trinity. Our start-up journey criss-crosses the lives of many and varied men and women, who responded, unknowingly perhaps, in making God’s plan a reality. Our Monastery building sits smugly in a fertile valley, surrounded by the majestic green soldiers of Mother Earth and surrounded by our friendly village folk, both Christians and non- Christians alike.
It all started with the Patriarch of Goa, who when on a visit to the Carmel of Bangaluru, way back in 1943, made a pressing request to have a Carmel also in Goa. The Prioress of Bangalore, Mother Elizabeth, responded favorably, and so…. the story was set in motion.
To find a suitable place in Goa however, took almost 5yrs. On one occasion, M. Elizabeth and her travelling companion, on one of their house-hunting trips to Goa, were amused to find themselves suspected to be spies by the civil authorities, from British India to Portuguese Goa. The Patriarch too, after initially failing to recognize them, warmly welcomed them. When finally, a house was bought, the 4 founding sisters (M. Elizabeth, Sr. Margaret, Sr. Clare and Sr. Agnes) made their entry without delay, to the accompaniment of the Laudate. It was the 9th of February 1947.
Next came the herculean task of getting the place cleaned, fixed-up and re-adjusted to suit the needs of an enclosed community. It was a job that took several years, with the sisters themselves generously helping, physically, mentally and spiritually in getting the work done. Our first postulant was the warm and generous Sr. Teresa of Jesus, an extern sister. She would be followed by many beautiful buds, coming to the garden of Carmel, to bask in the sunshine of the Divine Bridegroom, Jesus Christ- blooming and spreading their fragrance, by their hidden lives of sanctity.
All was not smooth-sailing however, as M. Elizabeth had to face severe trials of ill-health of several sisters in the community, not to mention some property disputes and crunching financial difficulties. But by God’s grace, the story continued…… the community expanded with the arrival of some more sisters from Bangalore, plus 2 sisters who were expelled from the Carmel of Chung-King in China and who opted for Goa.
And so, new chapters continued to be added to our story. In 1959, M. Jeanne left Goa to help the Shembagnur Carmel, later becoming the foundress of 4 new Carmels in North India. In 1965, M. Elizabeth left for the Carmel of Bombay, 1972- Sr. Aura for the Carmel of Porto and 1976- Sr. Clare for Portugal, where she eventually helped the Carmel of Faro, Mother Gemma and a group of sisters, for the foundation of Baroda. And then Mother Camelia, who was requested for the Carmel of Bogadi, Mysuru.
Today, the community consists of 15 members ranging from 91 to 28 yrs of age. It makes for an enjoyable and challenging blend, sharing life together, through prayer, work and fraternity, in a common quest for ‘GOD ALONE’. We earn our living chiefly by the baking of altar breads. And then there is the usual daily round of house-hold chores: – cooking, cleaning, gardening and a bit of stitching too.
The time-table of the day revolves round the discipline of prayer, especially the daily Eucharist and the two hours of personal silent prayer. Each day is interspersed with many periods for communal prayer where the community gathers together to raise our voices to Praise the Lord. Most of the day, whether in kitchen, garden, work-office or in one’s cell, one is invited to spend it in silence and companionship with Jesus. The two hours of Recreation daily on the other hand is an opportunity for the sisters to share and laugh together, and enjoy the beauty of Christ in each other.
Our mission in Carmel is as St. Therese would say “to be LOVE in the heart of my Mother the Church”, for Love is after all the vital heartbeat of the Living Body, the Church. We are happy through prayer, to be at the service of so many, who share with us their burdens and sighs, either through numerous phone-calls, e-mails and personal visits.
In a world torn by materialism and indifference, may this Carmel be a beacon of light; a testimony to the fact that, ‘God Alone Suffices’and only in HIM is found the ultimate happiness and meaning of life.
Founded: 1947
Patron: Holy Trinity
Archdiocese: Goa
ADDRESS:
Cloistered Carmel of the Holy Trinity
House No. 246
Chicalim, Goa, India
P.O. 403711
TEL: 0091 9766824574; 0091 8322540213
E-MAIL: ocdchicalim@gmail.com
