Kneeling, Sister Leslie Watanabe, Sister Mary Francis Apordo of Jesus Crucified, Sister Angelica Guevarra of God the Father. Standing, from left, Mother Agnella Iu of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Spirit, Sister Elizabeth (de Jesus) of Jesus and of the Indwelling Spirit, Sister Anne Therese Ocampo of the Immaculate Heart, Mother Mary Elizabeth “Liza” Sedo of the Trinity and postulant Tiffanie Han. (Photo courtesy of Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP)
The Carmelites, Hawaii’s contemplative order, give us an update on their cloistered community, Carmel of the Holy Trinity, since its re-founding three years ago
“Alas, death is now approaching.
In darkness alone, I await its coming,” mused the lonely seed as it was buried.
Yet, behold, how great is the rejoicing,
When one day its tiny blade starts to sprout in the early morning!
Gleefully the seed’s heart now beats with thanksgiving.
Just when the seed thought it was buried in darkness and was dying that silently life came to blossom, so was our experience here in the cloisters of Carmel. Unknown and silently existing, the world is not aware of our presence. We seemed to be oblivious, yet in this oblivion, life in the spirit for the world is brought forth.
On Oct. 25, 2022, Carmel of the Holy Trinity quietly celebrated its 49th anniversary of foundation in Hawaii from Hong Kong Carmel. This year also marks the third anniversary of its re-foundation. Among the five Filipina sisters who volunteered from the Philippines to join the Hawaii cloister, Sister Assumpta went back and reentered Gilmore Carmel in 2021.
On Aug. 15 of this year, we held our community elections. Sister Liza (Mary Elizabeth Sedo) of the Trinity is now our mother prioress while Sister Angelica of God the Father is the first councilor and Sister Agnella of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Spirit is the second councilor and novice mistress.
We were blessed this year with two retreats directed separately by our two Carmelite friars: Father Tom Reeves in October and Father Dan Chowning in November. The theme of Father Tom’s retreat was centered on our Carmelite St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s “Let yourself be loved.” Father Dan’s retreat was inspired by the Spiritual Canticle of St. John of the Cross.
Our human destiny is “union with God in love.” This is a union of likeness. Only Divine Love can transform us, heal us. Many stanzas captivated our hearts, among them stanza 28:
“Now I occupy my soul
And all my energy in His service;
I no longer tend the herd,
Nor have I any other work
Now that my every act is love.”
Father Dan reminded us, “Your vocation is love. Love is your everyday work. When you accept God’s purifications; when you offer your whole self to Him; when your every act is love, healing and transformation takes place. It affects the outside world; the whole humankind is also transformed and healed.”
Many people asked us, “What are you doing in the monastery?” The Saint’s Spiritual Canticle stanza 28 is our answer, summed up in two words: ADORATION and TRANSFORMATION.
We would like to share with our aloha islands the fruit of our retreat. We have accepted our aspirant Tiffanie Han for postulancy, and our postulant Leslie Watanabe, who entered last year, will soon become a novice. We pray that God will send us more vocations so that we may draw forth His merciful and transforming love to the whole world.
The celebration of Thanksgiving has recently passed. We have so much to be thankful for. Yes, we miss our beloved dead. We thank them for handing on to us their love and wisdom. We rejoice that now they are already living happily in the bosom of the heavenly Father singing His praises and adoring Him unceasingly.
With love and prayers,
Your Carmelite Sisters
