Provincial Novitiate in Mexico City

by Fr. Luis Jesús Paz O. Carm

The Carmelite novitiate began on July 27 of this year, on the feast of St. Titus Bransdma, in the Casa del Carmen which is located in Tlalpan, one of the 16 municipalities of Mexico City. Tlalpan, which is in the south of the city, is known as the “little Vatican”, since there are more than 40 religious congregations, both male and female, in the territory. Tlalpan is also the hospital zone of Mexico City, having more than 20 health institutions; 9 of them are national hospitals where research and attention are specialized.

During the months of May to October is the rainy season in the city, which offers a fresh and sometimes cold environment that helps contemplation and recollection. In the novitiate community we currently have people of eight nationalities (El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Peru, Indonesia and Mexico), which is a unique richness and at the same time a challenge. We are 12 people in the community, the 10 novices: Juan Diego, Ricardo, Alejandro, Reinaldo, Adonis, Omar, Rodrigo, Henrry, Juan José and Jean Carlos, as well as Father Evaldo and myself who are in charge of formation. It is a dynamic community and very committed to the daily tasks. The ages range from 22 to 42 years old, including the formators. From what we can see, it is a young and solid community.

This novitiate is special since it is the first time it is held in Mexico. Previously, the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary had two novitiates, one English-speaking in the United States and the other Spanish-speaking in Peru. Due to different circumstances it was decided to have only one novitiate in a central location for the province. Therefore, Mexico was chosen as the place to make a synthesis of the previous novitiates. This means, a bilingual novitiate that combines the best of the past experiences.  

The novitiate is the special time in religious life to deepen both the call of God and Carmelite spirituality. The novices have a year and a day to explore their inner life and penetrate deep into their hearts to find God who is waiting for them there. For this reason, during this time there are no formal studies in any university, but different Carmelite brothers and other experts share topics according to this special moment in their formation. It is crucial to mention that the constants of the novitiate are silence and solitude.

Without silence it would be impossible to hear the voice of God speaking in the depths of the heart of every human being. In a world of much noise, distraction and dispersion, silence is the anteroom of contemplation. Only in silence can we grow and deepen. As for solitude, Carmelite spirituality deepens in it, not to fear it but to embrace it. Solitude is the great backdrop of our lives, and therefore we learn to live and coexist with it. The person who cannot be alone with himself, will not appreciate the company of others. Solitude teaches us to love ourselves and also to find God in prayer.