CARMELITE MONASTERY OF JACKSON
CARMEL OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL & ST. THERESE
Love Welcomes You To Carmel
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The Last Testament
Sister Martha
January 16, 1989
Dear Mother & Sisters:
Advent prayers echoing our longing for Jesus, Lord and Savior, a very special meaning for our Jackson Carmelite Community this year. The Lord Jesus truly walked into our midst and took Martha home to Heaven on December 14th, Feast of St. John of the Cross.
Sister Martha's illness first manifested itself in the Fall of 1987. Since then she suffered many long months of pain from the spread of breast cancer throughout her skeletal system and lungs. She endured her total illness with great patience and ever growing anticipation of the Heavenly Banquet towards which she was growing grace by grace. We would like to share with you an open letter Sister Martha wrote just before she received the Sacrament of the Sick on November 21st. Although it was addressed "Dear Father" and refers specifically to the Sacramental Priesthood we all share an extension of that priesthood by and participation in Christ's redemptive work. As her Last Testament the letter encapsulates Sister Martha's whole life of dedication, pain and fidelity and we have all drawn enrichment from her example and insights into the Redemptive mystery of life, death and Resurrection.
In Union of Prayer,
Sister Margaret Mary and Community
November 21, 1988
Feast of Mary's Presentation
Dear Father,
Please ask God most earnestly for the following requests in my behalf:
I am and have been in considerable pain for some time. I do not ask the pain to be taken away. I accept in love the path upon which I walk for it is the Holy Cross that all Jesus' disciples walk in faith with Him. I know He walks this path with me and He will not leave me.
He holds my hand most firmly and will not let go. He also most lovingly and faithfully dwells in me. He does not Leave me without consolation and a firm confidence in that Heavenly reward - that beautiful wedding banquet that He promised to each and every loving and faithful disciple.
And so, dear Father, my prayer request is as follows:
Do not pray for my recovery, for it is clear to me that my path leads to Heaven. Pray instead and most earnestly that no matter how long I have here on earth - He will decide that - that I may have the grace and courage and presence of mind to offer in love all my pain- physical, emotional, mental or any other that accompanies the dying process- that I may offer all my pain in the most loving way that Jesus and Carmel have taught me in my 21 years.
I offer all my prayers and sufferings for the many inners in this world- those who are deeply submerged that they are not even aware of it - those who draw others into sin. Pray that I can till the end remember to pray for our priests burdened and harassed. I will pray that they remain close to God always and never lose that faith and love that brought them to answer God's generous call in the first place.
Father, I cannot write or think anymore - I'm too weak and in pain. Remember please what I have written you. Pray for what I have asked you to pray for, not for a miraculous healing - just faith and love to the end.
I thank you, dear Father, for listening to this long letter. It is the best I can do. You have always been dear to me and your spirituality has been an inspiration to me. May God bless you always. I'm sure our friendship will continue during the remainder of my illness and on into my birth into Eternal Life.
Sincerely in the Lord we both love,
Sister Martha
