THE NEWNESS OF BEING A CSST SISTER MYSORE

1. On-going Freshness in Being a CSST sister • There is a joy in being a daughter of Sr. Teresa • How is that joy and pride being manifested in your life? • In a short of period of 15 years, Mother Teresa established her convent on a sure foundation and launched out into various apostolate. she started 2 schools-in English and the Vernacular; an Industrial school, a boarding school, an Orphanage, a ‘Magdalene Home’ for unwed mothers, Home for the aged, a Dispensary, Family Apostolate, engaged in Famine Relief Programme, Prison Ministry etc.

2. Golden Words to Strengthen CSST • Our Lord is in the Blessed Sacrament, so why should you fear? --cf. Lr. 18 th Dec. 1894 • May we sisters, meet often in spirit at the foot of the Tabernacle and there in union praise our dear Lord and thank Him for His great love for us --cf. Lr. 11 th Jan. 1898 • Remember! Obedience should ever be our guiding star--cf. Lr. 9 th Jan. 1893 • God our good Father never sends us a Cross without a little consolation at the same time--cf. Lr. 4 th Sept. 1893. • God who gives the burden will also give the strength to bear it if we ask it humbly from His Majesty --cf. Lr. 15 th Jan. 1894 • No amount of persecution should turn one away from her heaven- inspired purpose-- cf. Lr. 18 th Sept. 1900 • Poverty is a good Teacher, dear sisters and it makes us contrive means and ways to help ourselves--cf. Lr. 22 nd Oct 1894. • Our Watchword must be “Forward Sisters Forward!” and you must give the lead --cf. Lr. 17 th Feb. 1895.

3. Every CSST must desire to be a saint! • I wanted to be a Great Saint -- 8 th November 1897 • I submitted unconditionally to God's Holy Will, I never wanted to be good through fear nor did I approach the Sacraments to please anyone -- cf. Lr. 12 th April 1898 • I had ever been a devoted child to the Carmelite Order --cf. Lr. 12 th April 1898. • You must try to give practical effect to the prayer you repeat so often in the day. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. " --cf. Lr. 15 th Jan. 1894. • Do not neglect mental prayer and other spiritual exercises in our Convents -cf. Lr. 14 th July 1892. • Because Meditation prepares us for sacrifice --cf. Lr. 4 th April 1898. • When your heart is crushed, cling to the Holy Tabernacle -- cf. Lr. 12 th April 1898.

4. Our Motivation is FOUNDRESS Sr. Teresa Woman free with God’s freedom and still in bondage to love. Her work is being continued by CSST in 122 convents spread all over India and abroad. Women according to God’s heart Who could go anywhere and detached from everything Woman open to the church and to the world. The values that nurtured her prayer life was her faith, the will of God and Trust in the Providence of God. She encouraged her sisters for a greater commitment: Forward Sisters, forward, and the nuns must take the lead”.

5. CSST Charism- a life transforming spirit CSST CHARISM The CSST experiencing the compassionate love of God in contemplation is called to live in communion with her sisters and promote justice towards all, especially the poor and the marginalized. OUR GOAL The CSST, along with Mary, Mother of Carmel, directs her mission and ministry towards the final revelation of Christ in a totally transformed world. OUR VISION A Just society where Christ's values of contemplation and compassion are lived in selfless service OUR MISSION We restore human dignity to the broken and marginalized through our presence and their empowerment

6. Courage of the foundress • When the Congregation was spreading and almost had died at the death of Mother Teresa it came back to life due to the tireless efforts of pioneers. • Next few years many new shoots under the Carmelite spirituality progressed well and the sisters had a big jump. She travelled a lot to spread the congregation. • Her constant touch with her God helped her to move forward courageously.

7. A Great Profile of CSST • In creative fidelity to our foundational Charism, we zealously commit ourselves to: • Interpreting and responding to the signs of the times • Revitalizing our ministries and breaking new grounds • Restoring human dignity and bringing wholeness to creation • Empowering the weak and marginalized, particularly women and children • Building a just society • Making the kingdom of God, the goal of our mission • Thus we foster Communion in Christ and deepen our commitment to God's mission in today's world.

8. Rich Spirituality… “The entire life of the CSST is consecrated to God through Jesus Christ, his Son, in the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the life spring from which she draws strength, perseverance and joy in accomplishment of her task. It is through prayer that her entire life and work are turned into a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. It should be the effort of every sister from the beginning of her religious life, to strive for an ever deeper union with God in prayer”. (Const. Art. 44)

9. THE CSST SUCCESSES * The foundress came from good Christian background and from another culture and language. She was tolerant towards others’ opinions and more open. * Courage and piety of the elderly and sick CSST sisters * Presence in new territories and countries. * Openness to new understanding of culture, place and language. * New types of membership- CSST Associates & Collaborators * Openness to hospitality and welcome

10. ON-GOING FRESHNESS * CSST spirituality is inviting us to refresh ourselves. * The thirst for spirituality is found everywhere today. * Desire for intense contemplative experience is increasing today. * The Church has had great appreciation for Carmelite spirituality. * Relevance and usefulness of CSST spirituality in the world is felt today. (Love, sacrifice, contemplation, service to the needy etc)

11. Happiness in Growth • * In the Asian sector the growth is visible from many perspectives. • * The number is steady. • * An Indian International Congregation with the Indians at the leadership is a good beginning. • * New presence is visible today: Please cite some more examples

12. THE LIVING HERITAGE * The CSST sisters are the living heritage of Mother Foundress and the pioneers. (The elderly sisters, the sick) * You have enriched the CSST heritage in bringing it to so many different cultures – Indian, Argentinian, African etc. * You have the versatility to settle in any culture and offer service. * You desire for love, sacrifice and Unity. * You are close to the people and available to the people. * You are witnessing to the contemplative dimension of life.

13. An Appraisal • * Give an Evaluation of the on-going freshness of being a CSST in your Province. • * Suggest ways to inculturate Mother Teresa better and interpret in our context. • * What are the anti-CSST ‘traits’ among us Carmelites?

12. Some feed back from others…. What do others say and speak about you CSST?

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