Skull In Our Midst

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It has been a curiosity in every Carmelite monastery that a human skull was placed in a conspicuous place for all monks to see.The skull was not meant to scare the hell out of every monk. Sister Jean Paul of the Carmelite monastery in Malaybalay City in northern Mindanao, Philippines, said, "The human skull was real, and it was meant to remind the sisters that someday everyone would die and every thing the world has to offer was transitory." While acknowledging that later Carmelite chapters did abbrogate the skull display, Sr. Jean Paul stated that such a practice might no longer have its shock and awe effects, largely inspired by a monastic theology of flight from the world which is deemed evil and sinful. Modern monastic thinking no longer espouses the skull approach to attract vocations. Young people are drawn to monasticism to be closer to God and to be available always to people who are seeking refuge and help. As one monk beautifully puts it, "I am here, Waiting. My answer to God's calling." Photo credits: Pixabay