CHARLOTTE — Jylian Carter, 18, a parishioner of St. Ann Church, entered the Carmelite Monastery of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Elysburg, Pa., Aug. 30. She left home and family to discern her call to a cloistered life where she will spend her days in silent and community prayer.
Carter recently shared with the Catholic News Herald how she discerned her vocation to Carmel:
“From the very beginning my parents tried to surround me with good and truth. Being homeschooled, I always had my mother’s virtuous example before my eyes. After her conversion, soon followed by my father’s, the dual impact of my parents’ good example increased.
“Once we became Catholic, I read the lives of the saints over and over again, steeping my imagination in these stories and cultivating a desire for the salvation of souls. Whether giving nearly everyone I knew a miraculous medal or playing ‘the children of Fatima’ at the church playground, my interest in the saints was evident, and, as prayer life was so important to the saints, so too, was it in our lives.
“My mother saw to it that we set aside a part of each morning for mental prayer, prayed the rosary daily as a family, and attended Mass several times a week. These were all very beneficial spiritual exercises, but once we discovered the beauty of the Latin Mass, the spiritual life and all our usual devotions took on an even more attractive appearance.
“This marked a tremendous change in my life; I cannot express how much I learned from the beautiful, ancient traditions of Holy Mother Church. From this exposure came my attraction to the religious life. For several years, my interest in the religious life grew.
“Once we moved to the country, my attraction to the religious life quickly developed into a love of the contemplative life. There in the rural solitude it was so much easier to pray, and, all of a sudden, the cloister made sense. My deepening prayer life also helped in this. In reading ‘The Catholic Girl’s Guide’ by Father Xavier Lasance, I found the perfect stepping stone for building the strong prayer life needed in this world, as well as preparation for the religious life.
“Then I began the search for the right contemplative order. After consulting my pastor and parents, I wrote to three different communities, praying that God would show me His will. Upon receiving the three replies, there was one that was particularly attractive: the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Elysburg, Pa. I had such peace and interest in this Carmel that I wondered if it might not be wise to search further. Again, taking the holy advice offered to me, I followed my heart, discontinued my search and let God teach me about Carmel.
“After a few months of correspondence with the mother prioress, I visited Carmel and fell head over heels in love with it. The Carmelite life of prayer, love and sacrifice; poverty, chastity and obedience; in silence, solitude and enclosure; for the salvation of souls, especially priests and sinners – was this not heaven on earth? Above all, I wanted to think of and love Our Lord all the time, giving myself completely to Him.
“In the meantime, two years of correspondence and prayer passed by, and once I completed high school, the entrance date was set. Yes, it will be heartbreaking to leave my loved ones, but only with Christ will I find true peace, joy and love.
“Christ has led me to Carmel. If this is truly His will for me, He will give me all the necessary graces.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter