This house is a Heaven, if one can exist on earth. It is a very happy life for anyone who is pleased with pleasig God.
- St. Teresa of Avila
Even though the enclosure embraced by the Carmelite may seem radical in requiring such separation from her family, friends and material things, it brings down upon them and the world graces and blessings from her Divine Spouse which could never have been obtained for them otherwise. Her life is a constant witness to them and to the world of the reality of the Eternal life we were all created to enjoy.
The Second Vatican Council did not hesitate to affirm that communities which are totally dedicated to contemplation "...no matter how urgent may be the needs of the active apostolate, will always have a distinguished role to play" and that their withdrawal from the world and the practices of their contemplative life should be maintained with the greatest reverence. (see Perfectae Caritatis)
Serious medical conditions would make it difficult for someone to live and work as a consecrated person. A vocation to the religious life supposes, then, not only a supernatural inclination or desire to embrace it, but an aptitude or fitness for its duties. God cannot act inconsistently. In other words, along with a desire, there has to be an inner and outer capacity, that is, the physical, psychological and moral capacity to live a certain way of life, and the outer circumstances permitting one to do so: suitable age, freedom from marriage bond and other big responsibilities, including freedom from debt.
With what procrastinations do you wait, since from this very moment you can love God in your heart.
- St. John of the Cross