Cloistered Life

Off to the Lenten Desert

admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:33:28 +0000

The following is a letter from a fictional novice of the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns in Rockford, IL.

Dear Family,

Praised be Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother! I’m looking forward to my second Lent in the monastery. What a wonderful surprise was in store for me before Ash Wednesday — three days of more solemn and lengthy Eucharistic Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. You remember from our brochures that we do have Exposition every day, but this was special with a capital “S.” So many hours of prayer and adoration.

Even More Austeries

You may wonder what Lent is like in an Order that already keeps a perpetual Lenten fast and abstinence even outside of the liturgical season. Believe it or not, we do make a few changes that reflect even more the austerity of this season. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, the organ is silent. The Liturgy of the Hours and Holy Mass are sung a capella except on Laetare Sunday and Solemnities. You remember that there is no correspondence or visiting until Easter. The community prays an offering of the Precious Blood together nine times a day and on Saturdays we pray the chaplet of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows, just to mention a couple of Lenten practices. Meals are simple without many condiments but, I assure you, healthy and quite sufficient. Oh, and so much more to tell you, but I’ll have to do that some other time!

Until next time, I am off to the Lenten desert!

Sincerely,
Sister Mary Neophilus

Read all posts about the Rockford Poor Clares on this website, or the article “A Day Within the Walls.” Or go to the website of the Poor Clare Colettines in Rockford, IL.

New Novice Writes Home — Silence Is the Language of God

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:45:41 +0000

The following is a letter from a fictional novice of the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns in Rockford, IL.

Dear Mom, Dad, and all!

Peace and Blessings! God reward you for the family news. Now to give another glimpse of my life here at the monastery. One great joy I want to share is that I’m becoming a polyglot! I’m learning a new language. A second language in the cloister? Yes, because silence is the language of God and you may recall that silence was not my predominant virtue! Here in our cloister it is an essential part of our union with Him. I pray someday it will become my best language!

Hard to Learn

Silence is also the language of love, another reason to become most fluent in it. I think the interior silence is the hardest to learn. Memories, images and thoughts tend to crowd in and occupy the mind. It takes practice not to pay undue attention to them and really focus on the present moment with full attention, intention and deliberation. So much to learn! Soon we will enter the great silence of Lent. More about that another time! How are the dogs, and that troublesome cat next door? Love and miss you, but we are one in heart and prayer!

Sincerely,
Sister Mary Neophilus

To learn more, go to the website of the Corpus Christi Monastery of the Poor Clare Colettines in Rockford, IL and read, “A Life of Prayer and Worship.”

Salesian Spirituality Is Strong and Growing Among Visitation Sisters

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:26:57 +0000

As Visitation Sisters around the world look forward to the feast of St. Francis de Sales Jan 24, the sisters in the United States say that the spirituality crafted by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal remains strong and shows signs of growth.

That’s true, judged by web visits to the Sisters’ new Second Federation website, begun last February. Visits have increased to 650 per month, and the website has posted a steady stream of articles on Salesian spirituality, while explaining little-known devotions and facts in the lives of the two founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal.

This spirituality is suited for both those living in the world, and for contemplative life, such as that of sisters living in the Visitation’s cloistered communities. The 1999 Vatican instruction Verbi Sponsa states, “. . . Just as in the upper room, Mary in her heart, with her prayerful presence, watched over the origins of the Church, so too now the Church’s journey is entrusted to the loving heart and praying hands of cloistered nuns” (No. 4).

Growth in Africa and Other Areas

The Order, formally known as the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, was founded in 1610 by Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane Frances de Chantal in Annecy, in eastern France. The Order spread from France throughout Europe and beyond. Today the group numbers approximately 2,500 Sisters in more than 150 monasteries throughout the world. They are growing in Africa; there is a monastery in Korea, and in South and Central America the houses continue to expand.

For more information on the Visitation and its spirituality for religious and laity, visit the Second Federation of the Visitation. Learn also about cloistered Visitation communities, such as the Toledo, OH Visitation.

Spotlight on the Saints: St. Anthony of Egypt — Founder of Monasticism

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:24:23 +0000

St. Anthony of Egypt, abbot, was born in Coma, Upper Egypt. While still young he got rid of all his possessions and lived among the local ascetics, and then withdrew into the desert, where he lived in complete solitude and was repeatedly tempted by the devil. Remaining steadfast, he attracted a number of disciples to a hermit’s life in the desert and a small monastery was formed at the place. From there he, in 311, went to Alexandria to encourage the confessors during the persecution of the Emperor Maximinus Daia (emperor in the east 310-313).

St. Anthony was reputed to be a miracle-maker and many were converted by him. His surviving works include a letter to the Emperor Constantine and several ones to different monasteries. St. Athanasius, who knew Anthony well and wrote his biography, said, “Anthony was not known for his writings nor for his worldly wisdom, nor for any art, but simply for his reverence toward God.”

Anthony lived a long and righteous life and died at the age of 105. In keeping with his instructions, two of his disciples buried his body secretly in an unmarked grave. In 561 his relics were transferred to Alexandria, and much later, they were claimed by Constantinople and by La Motte, where the Order of Hospitallers of St. Anthony was founded c. 1100. His feastday is January 17.

Blackberries or Not, Women Keep Coming to the Poor Clares

admin — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:00:49 +0000

When a young woman knocks on the large wooden door of the Poor Clare Colettines in Rockford,IL to learn more about the sisters’ way of life, she is sometimes put off by what she sees. She might be used to driving a nice car, carrying a Blackberry, and enjoying the pleasure of fine food and drink.

But what she sees are barefoot nuns walking quietly who then share a meal of beans and rice. She may have experienced a world of exciting nights out, of a seemingly endless possibility of relationships. But what she finds here is the solitude of a flickering candle in a plain chapel, and the joyful laughter of friends bound by lifelong vows.

Inspired by Their Foundress

Why, then, are women today attracted to the sisters’ form of life? Maybe because they see the sisters living “according to the form of the Gospel,” as inspired by their foundress, St. Clare — a motivation that has been sending them to their doors for eight hundred years.

Are you interested in learning more about Poor Clare life? If you are seriously considering this vocation, the sisters invite you to come and see if the voice of Christ is calling you to their life. A discernment visit from two to five days may be arranged on an individual basis by contacting Mother Dominica (pictured above), at the Corpus Christi Monastery in Rockford, IL at 815-963-7369.

Read the article, with photos, about the Rockford Poor Clares on this website, “All Time Is At the Service of God.” Or read about what Pope John Paul II says about the difficulties of accepting Christ’s invitation on the Poor Clares’ Youth Page.

God Reveals the New Name of a Poor Clare Postulant

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:05:26 +0000

A postulant of the Bethlehem Monastery of Poor Clares in Barhamsville, VA named Kimberly did not know her religious name until she was received as a novice recently. Following an ancient tradition, the Poor Clares choose the name for new members of their community, and reveal it only at the reception ceremony.

On their new blog, Poor Clare Heart Ponderings, they tell the story and say, “We believe that God reveals this new name to Mother Abbess who does not divulge this divine secret until the very end of the ceremony of investiture.”

Taking on the Holy Habit

The Sisters say, “When a young woman takes on our Holy Habit, it signifies that she is ‘putting on Christ,’ taking up her Cross and following in His footsteps in a life of joyful penance. Yes, joyful penance! We deny ourselves, not out of hatred for our selves, but so that we can give our entire selves in love to the Divine Bridegroom who beckons us. Sin and selfishness are in the way of our union with Him, so they must go. It is that devastatingly simple.”

On Dec. 12, the beautiful feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Postulant Kimberly received her habit and was transformed into a Poor Clare novice. Her name is now Sister Marie Elise.

Visit the Poor Clares’ website, or read Sister Marie Elise’s story on their blog, Poor Clare Heart Ponderings.

Spotlight on the Saints: St. John of the Cross —Mystic Doctor and Carmelite Reformer

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:59:56 +0000

John was raised in an orphanage in Spain. He longed for solitude and the opportunity to be one with God in prayer. As a young man John worked as a carpenter, a painter and a nurse assistant in a hospital where developed a great love for the poor and the sick. He sometimes felt that he was in the presence of Jesus when he was tending the patients. But, John wanted to become even closer to God. He became a Carmelite friar when he was almost twenty years old.

John was disappointed that the Carmelites no longer lived by the strict Rule that they were known for. Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite nun who became a famous saint and Doctor of the Church, told John that she had been given permission to begin convents based on the original Rule. She asked John to join her in this work.

Reforms Not Accepted

Teresa and John’s reforms meet with anger and resistance. Some friars did not like the changes John suggested. They imprisoned John in a dark and dirty cell. It was in those terrible conditions that he wrote some of his most beautiful poetry and mystical writings.

Even though John lived many years ago, from 1541 to 1591, his spiritual legacy is still read today by people who want to grow in their relationship with the Lord. One of John’s most famous sayings is, “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”

Difficulties and Death Do Not Deter Novices

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:40:34 +0000

Great difficulties did not stop two young women from southern Louisiana from taking the habit as Carmelite novices in Lafayette, LA this past fall.

On Sept. 30 Kalyn Meche received the habit of Our Lady and became Sr. Maria Faustina of Merciful Love. Her interest in the community began long ago. When she was about 10, her family was driving by the Monastery and she saw an extern Sister in the yard. “Daddy, go back. I’d like to talk to that Sister!” From then on, she had a desire and love for Carmel.

Kalyn, however, had to endure many trials and difficulties. When she entered a year ago at age 18, her first months were not easy. But she remained firm in her determination to become a cloistered nun.

Jesus Wants Me

Brittlyn Sonnier, also 18 when she entered, learned about the community through a weekend Veritas Retreat. She had struggled against a vocation for a while, but finally knew that Jesus was calling her. When asked what she expected to find in Carmel, she replied, “I really don’t know. All I know is that Jesus wants me there.”

Brittlyn’s mother was dying of cancer and the girl wondered whether she should stay and help care for four younger children. And yet, her father, mother and siblings encouraged her to go. On Oct. 15, Brittlyn received the habit and became Sr. Teresa of Jesus.

New brochure

Find out more about the Lafayette Discalced Carmelites. Email the sisters and ask for their new brochure, “I Have Chosen this Place to Dwell.”

Rockford Poor Clares Wish Their Former Chaplain Well as New Bishop of Bismarck

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:29:26 +0000

The Poor Clares of Rockford, IL have had a spiritual bond with the Diocese of Bismarck, N.D., that goes back a few years. That bond increased dramatically Oct. 19, when their former chaplain, Msgr. David D. Kagan, Vicar General of the Rockford Diocese, was announced the bishop-elect of Bismarck.

There is a story behind this. Several years ago the vocation director of the Bismarck diocese asked the sisters for prayers for all of the seminarians. The Poor Clares have been ever mindful of that commitment, and now one of Rockford’s own priests will be their shepherd. The sisters report that it was delightful to spend an hour with Bishop-Elect Kagan in their visiting parlor, learning all about his new diocese. A fellow “worker” at the Chancery, border-collie Dash (whose duty it was to keep the geese off the chancery grounds) will accompany the bishop-elect to North Dakota.

Spiritually Adopting the Diocese

“At least he will enjoy the snow,” comments Msgr. Kagan. There is a wonderful presence of religious men and women in the Bismarck diocese. However, since a cloistered contemplative group is not present there, the Poor Clares are spiritually adopting the Bismarck Diocese along with its new bishop!

The desire of St. Clare — that her sisters support the Mystical Body — is alive in this century.

Read the Poor Clare articles on this website.

For more information, visit the Rockford Poor Clares.

Purity and Penance are the Symbols in Black and White for the New Dominican Sister in Marbury, AL

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:00:45 +0000

At the Dominican Monastery of St. Jude in Marbury, AL, postulant Sister JulieAnna exchanged the black dress of a postulant for the glowing white habit of a Dominican Novice. In a simple ceremony on September 8, the Nativity of Our Lady, Sister received the habit and a new name. She is now Sister Mary Philomena of the Crucified Christ, O.P.

During the ceremony, Prioress Mother Mary Joseph, O.P., spoke of the symbolism of the Dominican habit. The white garments represent purity, while the black signify penance. The scapular was given to the Order by Our Lady as a mark of her protection. Finally, the rosary hung from the belt also has special symbolic value as the nuns’ “sword” to snatch souls from hell through their life of prayer.

Contemplative Dominicans Founded First

St. Dominic founded the contemplative Dominican Nuns first, before the preaching Friars, because he knew that the active apostolate is only made fruitful by prayer. It is this vision of St. Dominic that Sister Mary Philomena will continue to study and live during the coming two years of her Novitiate.

The Dominican Nuns at Marbury dedicate their hidden lives of prayer and penance to the salvation of souls, especially through the Divine Office chanted in Latin and English, Eucharistic Adoration, Marian Consecration and Perpetual Rosary.

Learn more about the Sisters’ charism at www.StJudeMonastery.org.