In recent years the Carmelite Sisters have had the privilege of having research conducted by Very Rev. John F. Russell, O.Carm., regarding the Spirituality of Mother Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm. Last year, Fr. Russell presented this for the first time to our Sisters who made the Renewal Program at Avila. To have Mother's spirituality described in such a beautiful way was truly a wonderful experience for the Sisters.
Our excitement peaked recently with the publication of an article by Fr. Russell entitled: "A Journey of Risk: The Spirituality of Mother Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm." This was published in: Review for Religious, Volume 70.3:2011, by the Jesuits of the Missouri Province. Excerpts from the article: "Mother Angeline's 'circular letter'"(written twice a year) express the convictions that shaped her spirituality. Many of them spring from her early life, and many reflect the thrust of the Carmelite charism.
1.)Her spirituality is both theocentric and Christocentric. In particular she was devoted to Christ's presence in the Eucharist. Prayer is critical to the Carmelite vocation. She wrote in 1940 to Mother Alodie: "As Carmelites we are supposed to be contemplative as well as active."
2.) She emphasized the call to a community life in the service of the aged and infirm as well as in the life of the Sisters in communion with each other.
3.) Mother Angeline manifested deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. She had confidence in Mary's power of intercession.
4.) Her spirituality revealed a strong ecclesial sense through her love for the Church's Sacraments and her respect for authority in the Church.
5.) The prophetic dimension in her spirituality is found in her commitment to seek and to live the truth of the Gospel. Often enough she would point out in a circular letter the need for some correction in the life of the Home, for example charity for the aged and mutual respect among the Sisters.
6.) She would often remind the Sisters of the importance of living the virtuous life, in particular the virtue of charity.
7.) Finally, she noted in a letter of 8 December 1944: "There is no joy, there is no hope, there is no love without the Cross. " She experienced the Cross in her own life, sometimes arising from her relationships with an Ordinary of a diocese, sometimes from the challenges connected with her service to the Community." We are grateful to Fr. Russell for all the time and effort he put into his research and for the great contribution he has made to promote Mother's Cause. Sr. Patricia Margaret Rawdon, O.Carm
Council Member Liaison The Mother Angeline Society A Journey of Risk: The Spirituality of Mother Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm. This article is posted with permission from Review for Religious"