A contemplative presence in the West: the Carmelites of Armstrong

For the Easter Triduum, Father David Bellusci, OP, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Catholic Pacific College visited the Carmelite community in Armstrong, which he calls “a hidden treasure that Catholics should know about.” He spoke with Mother Ann of Jesus, the Carmelite Mother Superior at St. Joseph’s Carmel, about the Carmelite nuns and their presence in the Okanagan community.

FATHER DAVID: Please tell me, Mother Ann, about the foundation of St. Joseph’s Carmel just outside Armstrong. 

MOTHER ANN: Our Carmel was founded Aug. 15, 1991, with nuns arriving from St. Agatha, Ont. Everything went into a transport van. Three nuns arrived at Kamloops airport: Mother Clare, Sister Raphael, and myself. Mother Mary the Superior at St. Agatha sent the three sisters west. The new foundress, Mother Claire, originated from Alberta. Bishop Sabatini, a Scalabrini Father and the Bishop of Kamloops, had invited the nuns. In fact, Bishop Sabatini was in Vancouver at the Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop Adam Exner when the nuns arrived, but the following day Bishop Sabatini presided at the liturgy at St. Joseph’s in Armstrong. The sisters stayed at St. Joseph rectory until the farmhouse was ready on Salmon River Road. The nuns moved in the farmhouse Carmel on March 25. Our First Mass at the Carmel was May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, presided by Bishop Sabatini. The local people generously helped with building an addition to the farmhouse to provide monastic cells and a chapel. 

Sister Stella arrived Nov. 1, 1991. All the sisters came from St. Agatha establishing a Carmel of seven sisters. Local vocations started in 1998. 

Our objective was to be a contemplative presence of the Carmel charism in the West, and the desire remains to continue with this vision of a contemplative presence. 

In 2008, plans were made for a new monastery and the monastery was completed in 2010. The dedication took place Aug. 24, the same foundation day of St. Teresa of Avila’s Carmel of St. Joseph, in Avila. St. Joseph has been an integral part to the foundation of the nuns in Armstrong.

FATHER DAVID: I have a close friend in the Carmel of Nairobi, in Kenya: Sister Monica. But we only communicate a few times a year. Sometimes she seems slow to reply. But when she explains her duties besides her time spent at prayer, I realise how her day is fully utilized. How is your day spent here at the Carmel? 

MOTHER ANN: Our usual day begins by rising at 5:30 a.m., 6 a.m. mental prayer, Lauds, Terce, Mass at 7:30a.m., breakfast, followed by daily chores, with some time for classes for those in formation. The  sisters make jams and jellies and crafts for sale, sew our own habits, take care of mail, clearing snow in the winter, and summer is garden work. Sext is at 11:45, dinner and recreation (1-1:30  p.m. ). There is quite time and at 3 p.m. chores, 4:35 Vespers, mental prayer from 5 to 6 p.m., recreation from 6:45-7:45 p.m., followed by Compline and Matins. Grand silence after Matins. Although our day is very structured it is never monotonous; the daily flow of the horarium (prayer schedule) allows a sense of freedom and peace in following God's will. The set times of community prayer help to keep us focused on the presence of God as a community united in charity.

FATHER DAVID: At Catholic Pacific College where I teach, I offer a course in Catholic Spirituality. Two of the figures I include in the course are St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Which Carmelite figure has had an impact in your spiritual life? 

MOTHER ANN: Well, I came from a good Catholic family. St. Catherine Siena, the Dominican mystic, had an impact on me at a young age. Reading her biography, I was enkindled to serve God. Reading St. Teresa of Avila when I was 14 years old, I discovered St. John of the Cross. My soul somehow connected to his writings, and I wanted to learn more – and I'm still learning. The reading of Scripture, especially the Gospels, and the Carmelite mystics is what led to my Carmelite vocation. The Carmelite spirituality of St. John of the Cross along with St. Teresa just made sense for the spiritual life, especially his Ascent of Mount Carmel.

FATHER DAVID: In what way do you think Carmelite spirituality is integral to Catholic spirituality? 

MOTHER ANN: Many people are searching for God – a life of prayer that satisfies the needs of people who want to come close to God. Carmel is united with the Church at prayer; it has an apostolic dimension. Prayer that brings grace to souls. This is what we need today in the Church. Prayer. We encourage the youth to delve into what God is asking of them. And they can come to Carmel and see.

For more information about Armstrong’s Carmelite community visit cloisteredlife.com/directory/armstrong.