+JMJ
Praised be Jesus Christ! Greetings to you and your Holy Angels! Well, it is that exciting time of year again! It's LENT! I feel like I should have something insightful or interesting for you to read, but perhaps I will ask you to think about something instead.
I invite you to think, and often about the Angelic presence around you always. You have a guardian angel that the Lord has blessed you with and is with you always. They are always ready to help you.
Think often about the Holy Angels. Make friends with the angels and they will be there for you always.
Be Holy!
Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
3.04.2006
2.19.2006
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
Women of the world, please cover yourself.
These days almost no one will tell the Christian woman that it is her duty to dress modestly. But that should not surprise us. Religious instructors barely teach the basics of Christian morality, and sexual confusion is the chiefest error of the day in the field of natural reason.
I've said for about as long as I can remember (15 years or more now?) that it makes no sense for a woman to become embarrassed when she is seen in her underwear, if she goes outdoors in swimwear which is exactly as revealing, if not more so.
And again: modern swimwear's level of undress is functionally equivalent to nudity in the mind of any male except those in a persistent vegetative state. While men are called to have custody of their eyes, it is an objective sin to exhibit oneself and place all moral demands on those who share a public space with you. The masculine obligation to chastity does not translate into feminine carte blanche for immodesty.
To be even clearer: No Christian woman should wear a bikini. A generous one-piece with skirt is about rock-bottom in terms of basic modesty and self-respect. Or, as my wife will recommend: a one-piece with a large T-shirt worn over it.
Surely some indoctrinated woman will parrot the feminist come-back to my position: "What's next? The burqa?" But the real perspective is this: The burqa and the bikini are polar extremes of the same fundamental error. Both styles of clothing deny the human dignity of the wearer. Virtue is a mean between the extremes. The modest woman, the woman with self-respect, wears neither the ostentatious bikini nor the humiliating burqa. Both the bikini and the burqa deny our Christian belief in the equal spiritual dignity of man and woman. Both manners of dress encourage onlookers to view the woman as subordinate to men in one way or another.
The burqa denies the Christian belief in the equal spiritual dignity of a woman because it obscures her face, which is the gateway to the heart and to the mind. A woman in a burqa is not permitted to publicly manifest the visible features most proper to her nature as a rational and emotive being -- features which are the most proper to her as a human being. (Aristotle, for example, says that no animal has a prosopon, lit., a countenance, but only a man or a woman.)
The bikini likewise denies her equal spiritual dignity because it places primary emphasis on her body, and in such a way that it encourages others to objectify her body as a sexual plaything, not as a temple of Holy Spirit or as a magnificent creature of goodly design. Yes, I really mean a plaything. How so? Everyone who wants to, gets to enjoy it, regardless of their number, often in public, with no more personal involvement than the private satisfaction of one's own frivolous desire. That's a plaything. Indeed, some playthings are more jealously guarded.
So no, the burqa isn't next. It is already irrelevant. If a woman walks around barely clad, showing everyone the size of her breasts, half of her rear, and the muscle tone of her abs, she doesn't need to put a bag over her head in order to insure that no man will ever take her seriously. I hasten to add: changing one's attire back to "smart business casual" on Monday morning does little to remove the previous image from the mind. (Would you look at Bill Blass-suited Linda in the same way if you saw her in a full burqa last weekend? Again, the logic is the same. I am surprised how few women grasp that sexual "liberation" leads to misogyny, even though chauvinism and machismo evolved contemporaneously with it in the 1970s.)
The woman with an eye for history or with a traditionalist inclination should grasp this point even more clearly. Women dressed modestly while swimming and sunning themselves earlier in the century. This is not Victorian primness. This is common sense. You can still do it.
A casual example: Zorak and I were walking through the New Haven train station one afternoon and saw on the wall vintage photos from turn-of-the-century New Haven and in particular Long Wharf and the beaches along the Connecticut coast. (For those in New Haven: by the escalators when you come up from the underground walkways.) The decade was probably 1910s, maybe 1920s? Whenever I see such photos, I observe to Catholic women that the lady swimmers are frolicking around in swimwear that covers them from the knees to the shoulders. This was considered normal only 80 years ago. In the intervening half-century, we've gone from that modest dress to the spaghetti-string bikini, i.e., virtual nudity.
While you're reminding yourself "it was not that long ago," remember what else was socially forbidden "not that long ago": contraception until the 1960s and abortion until 1973. It was not that long ago. And they are all related.
And to Catholics, I further observe: Along with their virginity, their modesty and their unconditional commitment to their children, women were told to abandon this as well, and in this latter departure they were even encouraged by their clergy.
I point this out just to note: we have radically underestimated just one aspect of the traditional Catholic practice of wearing the chapel veil: Just as keeping a cross in your pocket reminds you not to spend money on something you ought not, wearing a small piece of cloth on your head in church serves as a permanent reminder to cover yourself in modesty as a daughter of God. Now, wedding gown pretenses aside, not a single veil of innocence remains unlifted. Just something to consider.
I conclude by noting that this same casuistry applies to casual dress. The skirt lengths on women in DC during the summer is unfathomable. The prostitutes nowadays have to distinguish themselves by actually wearing skirts which do not cover the bottom of their rear, or, if a recent drive down K street is any example, just a thong.
I leave you with two further reading resources:
CatholicModesty.com and the Angelic Doctor, "Whether the adornment of women is devoid of mortal sin?", ST, II-II, Q 169 A2.
Source
These days almost no one will tell the Christian woman that it is her duty to dress modestly. But that should not surprise us. Religious instructors barely teach the basics of Christian morality, and sexual confusion is the chiefest error of the day in the field of natural reason.
I've said for about as long as I can remember (15 years or more now?) that it makes no sense for a woman to become embarrassed when she is seen in her underwear, if she goes outdoors in swimwear which is exactly as revealing, if not more so.
And again: modern swimwear's level of undress is functionally equivalent to nudity in the mind of any male except those in a persistent vegetative state. While men are called to have custody of their eyes, it is an objective sin to exhibit oneself and place all moral demands on those who share a public space with you. The masculine obligation to chastity does not translate into feminine carte blanche for immodesty.
To be even clearer: No Christian woman should wear a bikini. A generous one-piece with skirt is about rock-bottom in terms of basic modesty and self-respect. Or, as my wife will recommend: a one-piece with a large T-shirt worn over it.
Surely some indoctrinated woman will parrot the feminist come-back to my position: "What's next? The burqa?" But the real perspective is this: The burqa and the bikini are polar extremes of the same fundamental error. Both styles of clothing deny the human dignity of the wearer. Virtue is a mean between the extremes. The modest woman, the woman with self-respect, wears neither the ostentatious bikini nor the humiliating burqa. Both the bikini and the burqa deny our Christian belief in the equal spiritual dignity of man and woman. Both manners of dress encourage onlookers to view the woman as subordinate to men in one way or another.
The burqa denies the Christian belief in the equal spiritual dignity of a woman because it obscures her face, which is the gateway to the heart and to the mind. A woman in a burqa is not permitted to publicly manifest the visible features most proper to her nature as a rational and emotive being -- features which are the most proper to her as a human being. (Aristotle, for example, says that no animal has a prosopon, lit., a countenance, but only a man or a woman.)
The bikini likewise denies her equal spiritual dignity because it places primary emphasis on her body, and in such a way that it encourages others to objectify her body as a sexual plaything, not as a temple of Holy Spirit or as a magnificent creature of goodly design. Yes, I really mean a plaything. How so? Everyone who wants to, gets to enjoy it, regardless of their number, often in public, with no more personal involvement than the private satisfaction of one's own frivolous desire. That's a plaything. Indeed, some playthings are more jealously guarded.
So no, the burqa isn't next. It is already irrelevant. If a woman walks around barely clad, showing everyone the size of her breasts, half of her rear, and the muscle tone of her abs, she doesn't need to put a bag over her head in order to insure that no man will ever take her seriously. I hasten to add: changing one's attire back to "smart business casual" on Monday morning does little to remove the previous image from the mind. (Would you look at Bill Blass-suited Linda in the same way if you saw her in a full burqa last weekend? Again, the logic is the same. I am surprised how few women grasp that sexual "liberation" leads to misogyny, even though chauvinism and machismo evolved contemporaneously with it in the 1970s.)
The woman with an eye for history or with a traditionalist inclination should grasp this point even more clearly. Women dressed modestly while swimming and sunning themselves earlier in the century. This is not Victorian primness. This is common sense. You can still do it.
A casual example: Zorak and I were walking through the New Haven train station one afternoon and saw on the wall vintage photos from turn-of-the-century New Haven and in particular Long Wharf and the beaches along the Connecticut coast. (For those in New Haven: by the escalators when you come up from the underground walkways.) The decade was probably 1910s, maybe 1920s? Whenever I see such photos, I observe to Catholic women that the lady swimmers are frolicking around in swimwear that covers them from the knees to the shoulders. This was considered normal only 80 years ago. In the intervening half-century, we've gone from that modest dress to the spaghetti-string bikini, i.e., virtual nudity.
While you're reminding yourself "it was not that long ago," remember what else was socially forbidden "not that long ago": contraception until the 1960s and abortion until 1973. It was not that long ago. And they are all related.
And to Catholics, I further observe: Along with their virginity, their modesty and their unconditional commitment to their children, women were told to abandon this as well, and in this latter departure they were even encouraged by their clergy.
I point this out just to note: we have radically underestimated just one aspect of the traditional Catholic practice of wearing the chapel veil: Just as keeping a cross in your pocket reminds you not to spend money on something you ought not, wearing a small piece of cloth on your head in church serves as a permanent reminder to cover yourself in modesty as a daughter of God. Now, wedding gown pretenses aside, not a single veil of innocence remains unlifted. Just something to consider.
I conclude by noting that this same casuistry applies to casual dress. The skirt lengths on women in DC during the summer is unfathomable. The prostitutes nowadays have to distinguish themselves by actually wearing skirts which do not cover the bottom of their rear, or, if a recent drive down K street is any example, just a thong.
I leave you with two further reading resources:
CatholicModesty.com and the Angelic Doctor, "Whether the adornment of women is devoid of mortal sin?", ST, II-II, Q 169 A2.
Source
2.01.2006
..::Blessed Be God::..
+JMJ
Think Latin is dead? Far from it. Just check this place out and be totally amazed:
Si quis dixerit
I just wish I knew Latin now.
Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
Think Latin is dead? Far from it. Just check this place out and be totally amazed:
Si quis dixerit
I just wish I knew Latin now.
Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
+JMJ
I am beginning to hear quite a bit about the Lockport Dominican Nuns that is really starting to ruffle my feathers. I have visited them and they are a wonderful community and truly authentic. It is terrible to see some of the treatment they have been receiving. It really saddens me. I will not permit rumors about these Sisters to be thrown about as they have. There will be none of this here.
Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
Since it has been some time since the last update and again, MUCH has happened. This past Jan. I was in Ukraine studying Catholicism and Orthodoxy with several University of St. Thomas students. It was quite an experience and it has definatly been a step in my discernment. I've discerned that I can no longer remain at Elmhurst College and remain happy. I have yet to find though, a college with a solid theology/Catholic studies and a decent art department. Perhaps God is dropping some hints that I am not supposed to be in college and that I should enter the Poor Clare Colettines ASAP. Again, Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
Please pray for those discerning the religious life and priesthood! They need all the support they can get!
I am beginning to hear quite a bit about the Lockport Dominican Nuns that is really starting to ruffle my feathers. I have visited them and they are a wonderful community and truly authentic. It is terrible to see some of the treatment they have been receiving. It really saddens me. I will not permit rumors about these Sisters to be thrown about as they have. There will be none of this here.
Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
Since it has been some time since the last update and again, MUCH has happened. This past Jan. I was in Ukraine studying Catholicism and Orthodoxy with several University of St. Thomas students. It was quite an experience and it has definatly been a step in my discernment. I've discerned that I can no longer remain at Elmhurst College and remain happy. I have yet to find though, a college with a solid theology/Catholic studies and a decent art department. Perhaps God is dropping some hints that I am not supposed to be in college and that I should enter the Poor Clare Colettines ASAP. Again, Lord, Thy Will Be Done!
Please pray for those discerning the religious life and priesthood! They need all the support they can get!
12.11.2005
..::Blessed Be God::..
+JMJ
Well... I am in a state of mortal sin. Why? Becuase I did not think the Saturday Vigil Mass "good enough". Vigil Mass is WAY better than no Mass at all. Pride stinks. Hopefully it will not be long before I make it to confession, and it looks like it may be Tuesday either in the morning, or later in the evening. If one doesn't work, the other should. Thank God for His Mercy, but now I get to writhe in the pain my own sin has given me. Let this be a time for penance and mortifications.
You know, the pain of being in mortal sin hasn't struck me until just now. This morning, I felt no urge on pain of spiritual death to make it to Mass. I took at least an hour in the shower, which I didn't start until about 10 when the latest Mass starts at 11. After that I just did whatever. I dried my hair, I dilly-dallied in getting dressed, and when I did it was jeans. I could have told my mom I was going to wait until the Youth Mass later that night, but again decided I would feel awfully silly going to that Mass as well. So I didn't say anything. I could have made it to the 5:15 Mass at a parish nearby my school, but I decided that I would end up not being able to visit my grandpa, which I spent most of my time playing in the snow with my little sister. I had no difference in what I did.
Well, confession will be as soon as I can get it! That will hopefully be in a day or two. Perhaps I will also get up in time to also go to Mass, even if I cannot recieve. What a dark state my soul has fallen into.
Well... I am in a state of mortal sin. Why? Becuase I did not think the Saturday Vigil Mass "good enough". Vigil Mass is WAY better than no Mass at all. Pride stinks. Hopefully it will not be long before I make it to confession, and it looks like it may be Tuesday either in the morning, or later in the evening. If one doesn't work, the other should. Thank God for His Mercy, but now I get to writhe in the pain my own sin has given me. Let this be a time for penance and mortifications.
You know, the pain of being in mortal sin hasn't struck me until just now. This morning, I felt no urge on pain of spiritual death to make it to Mass. I took at least an hour in the shower, which I didn't start until about 10 when the latest Mass starts at 11. After that I just did whatever. I dried my hair, I dilly-dallied in getting dressed, and when I did it was jeans. I could have told my mom I was going to wait until the Youth Mass later that night, but again decided I would feel awfully silly going to that Mass as well. So I didn't say anything. I could have made it to the 5:15 Mass at a parish nearby my school, but I decided that I would end up not being able to visit my grandpa, which I spent most of my time playing in the snow with my little sister. I had no difference in what I did.
Well, confession will be as soon as I can get it! That will hopefully be in a day or two. Perhaps I will also get up in time to also go to Mass, even if I cannot recieve. What a dark state my soul has fallen into.
12.07.2005
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
You know, I was planning on letting another month slip by before I made another entry, then I thought that I should update a little more often than once a month. Well, come the 8th, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I will be consecrating myself to Our Lady! I also have a final tomorrow and about a million drawings I have to get done by Thursday as well. So much to do, and seeming so little time to do it in! I am also working on a little bit of 'research' or rather a letter concerning Pride, one of the capital sins. I also have another letter from Mother Mary Regina AND the Sisters! I just adore hearing from them! But it is so late and I must be getting off to bed! God Bless and Mary Protect!
11.12.2005
..::Blessed Be God Forever::..
The Golden Arrow
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Amen.
This prayer was revealed by Our Lord to a Carmelite Nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy. "This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully," He said, "and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy." Imprimatur: T. J. Toolen, Archbishop of Mobile-Birm.
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Amen.
This prayer was revealed by Our Lord to a Carmelite Nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy. "This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully," He said, "and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy." Imprimatur: T. J. Toolen, Archbishop of Mobile-Birm.
10.23.2005
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
I did receive a letter before the last time I posted! I was going to scan it and some other stuff happened, and I just recieved another letter today! It was a wonderful letter! Also since my last entry, Sister Mary Catherine of the Holy Spirit passed away on the 7th of October. Please pray for the repose of her soul! Hopefully next weekend I will be in Rockford visiting the Poor Clares over the weekend. I am wiped, but I am going to read for my Lit class until I fall asleep. God Bless and Mary Protect!
10.20.2005
..::Blessed Be God::..
I cannot remember if Mother Mary Regina has sent me another letter or not, but I did just write her and I will hopefully be visiting the weekend of the 28th. Not too much has happened in recent, but I am discovering a hate for sin that just disgusts me of how much it is everywhere, especially in my life. I am appalled at the things I do that so offence Our Lord! Even the tiniest bit of ingratitude bends me with sorrow that I should do such a thing to my Beloved. How I wish I could amend all my sins against Him. How I wish I could love Him in entirety with everything I have so that I may die of love having given every last part of myself to Him. I pray that God may bless me with fortitude so that I may live so boldly, but ever so humbly.
How much I take for granted. A friend, who is like a spring in a dry barren wasteland, flows forth with joy, purity, and good things. I spurn it, yet long for it. I overtake it and require too much of it. A friend like this I should not do so to. She is a wonderful blessing that shows me that there is hope and that the barren wasteland is truly not like hell. I long for her presence that I may have such deep and encouraging conversations that nourish the soul, even if it may be a short bit of nourishment. When I have a chance to talk with her, she is most kind and patient and honest. She is a role model and a holy person, but in a simple everyday kind of living. She is a true blessing that bring some of the best out of me, things that have remained unsaid, but longed to come out.
Again, I take for granted so much. This computer I use to for so many things, I have not given thanks for. For the clothing that I have and all the shoes to cover my feet. For the soap that keeps me looking clean. Even the hairs on my head and the eyes in my skull. All of it I have taken for granted! All of it! Lord, may my praise be in my sorrowful tears. You have given me so much! So very much indeed! But how does your servant repay you? With nothing but the occasional joyful sigh. I want to bestow you with wonderful glistening thanksgiving and praise! You deserve all that I have and I deserve nothing, not even to live! But you have given me yet this grace to live and to journey to find you! I take this sacred journey the most for granted! I am a poor wretched soul and I only make myself in worse shape by not giving You, Lord, everything! All that I am and all that I have! You are my all! You are my everything! I even take you for granted! I weep bitterly to think that I may have caused You such torment, such suffering, such bitter sorrow. I deserve not Your love, but Your wrath. But here comes Your grace. You come down to me, and continually fill me until I am full! You look past my faults and my fallings and love me with such a sweet and perfect love. You love me so immensely! Your love wells me with joy, my heart illuminates and glows in Your presence, that it may live there forever. But in this love, in this light of love, You show me the darkness within me. The bitter and wretched parts that I have only put there. You show them to me, not to condemn, but to heal. That I may come to You with a complete and contrite heart and clean myself, dispose of my wretchedness. You set my heart aglow. I seem to loose myself in a love so deep, so immense, so unfathomable. How I wish I could dwell there forever. You, Lord, have sent me neither to be a mystic nor to be a great and powerful person. Rather, You send me to do the simplest things to make sure that the little details are cared for, and that all is well. You call me to live out in Your love, but it is hard with the evil one distracting whenever he pleases. Lord, You give me strength enough to face it all, but I alone must choose to accept Your divine assistance, I must be the one to choose to follow You.
How much I take for granted. A friend, who is like a spring in a dry barren wasteland, flows forth with joy, purity, and good things. I spurn it, yet long for it. I overtake it and require too much of it. A friend like this I should not do so to. She is a wonderful blessing that shows me that there is hope and that the barren wasteland is truly not like hell. I long for her presence that I may have such deep and encouraging conversations that nourish the soul, even if it may be a short bit of nourishment. When I have a chance to talk with her, she is most kind and patient and honest. She is a role model and a holy person, but in a simple everyday kind of living. She is a true blessing that bring some of the best out of me, things that have remained unsaid, but longed to come out.
Again, I take for granted so much. This computer I use to for so many things, I have not given thanks for. For the clothing that I have and all the shoes to cover my feet. For the soap that keeps me looking clean. Even the hairs on my head and the eyes in my skull. All of it I have taken for granted! All of it! Lord, may my praise be in my sorrowful tears. You have given me so much! So very much indeed! But how does your servant repay you? With nothing but the occasional joyful sigh. I want to bestow you with wonderful glistening thanksgiving and praise! You deserve all that I have and I deserve nothing, not even to live! But you have given me yet this grace to live and to journey to find you! I take this sacred journey the most for granted! I am a poor wretched soul and I only make myself in worse shape by not giving You, Lord, everything! All that I am and all that I have! You are my all! You are my everything! I even take you for granted! I weep bitterly to think that I may have caused You such torment, such suffering, such bitter sorrow. I deserve not Your love, but Your wrath. But here comes Your grace. You come down to me, and continually fill me until I am full! You look past my faults and my fallings and love me with such a sweet and perfect love. You love me so immensely! Your love wells me with joy, my heart illuminates and glows in Your presence, that it may live there forever. But in this love, in this light of love, You show me the darkness within me. The bitter and wretched parts that I have only put there. You show them to me, not to condemn, but to heal. That I may come to You with a complete and contrite heart and clean myself, dispose of my wretchedness. You set my heart aglow. I seem to loose myself in a love so deep, so immense, so unfathomable. How I wish I could dwell there forever. You, Lord, have sent me neither to be a mystic nor to be a great and powerful person. Rather, You send me to do the simplest things to make sure that the little details are cared for, and that all is well. You call me to live out in Your love, but it is hard with the evil one distracting whenever he pleases. Lord, You give me strength enough to face it all, but I alone must choose to accept Your divine assistance, I must be the one to choose to follow You.
9.29.2005
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
I got another letter today from Mother Mary Regina! Hoorah! There is not much to talk about today, but I really should be getting to work on my homework for class tomorrow! Here's the letter she sent:
9.28.2005
..::Blessed Be God::..
"Dear God, please don't let me be too hungry or too thirsty. Help me to please my mother. And help me to please you."
Prayer of Saint Germaine
What a simple little prayer of a simple little Saint. I wish to make this my prayer too, especially in these days where I am trying so hard to please my mother so that I can prove myself mature to her and hopefully enter the Cloister within a year.
Dear God, please don’t let me be too hungry or too thirsty. Help me to please my mother. And help me to please You.
Amen.
Prayer of Saint Germaine
What a simple little prayer of a simple little Saint. I wish to make this my prayer too, especially in these days where I am trying so hard to please my mother so that I can prove myself mature to her and hopefully enter the Cloister within a year.
Dear God, please don’t let me be too hungry or too thirsty. Help me to please my mother. And help me to please You.
Amen.
9.26.2005
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
Well, I finally have scanned in the latest letter from Mother Mary Regina! It had been some time since I had last written her, so she was sending an update. I have already written her back and sent it to her, so I cannot share my half of the correspondence!
The article in the paper she is talking was online, but it is currently on my xanga. The pictures from the article can be found here. And just for you all, I'll repost the article here as well!
The article in the paper she is talking was online, but it is currently on my xanga. The pictures from the article can be found here. And just for you all, I'll repost the article here as well!
A day within the walls -- Lessons learned from behind the grate at the Poor Clare Monastery
(8/26/2005)
By Bridget Kagan, Observer Intern
When I began working at The Observer back in May I learned that my first big assignment of the summer was to do a feature article on the Poor Clare nuns.
Up until this point, my knowledge of the Poor Clares had been pieced together by what I had learned growing up in Catholic schools and the field trip I took to their monastery as a fifth grader. They have always been a mystery to me. As a 20 year old college student who is just beginning to experience life, their cloistered lifestyle was a concept I could never grasp.
After all, the youngest sister at the convent is 33 years old, what could I possibly have in common with these women?
What compels these 22 women to remove themselves from the outside world? What is it about this lifestyle that could possibly be so appealing?
Despite my personal skepticism, I approached the story with an open mind, interested to learn more about their lifestyle.
In addition to the interviews I had with Mother Regina, the abbess, about their way of life, I had the unique opportunity to spend time with the sisters inside their private world and observe cloistered life first-hand.
When I arrived at the monastery and followed Mother Regina into the sisters’ private chapel, I immediately felt self-conscious and out of place. I suddenly felt as though I did not measure up to these pious women. Despite Mother Regina’s urging to take all the pictures I needed, I was reluctant to do so.
I felt as though I was trespassing and somehow robbing them of their private lifestyle. I timidly took a few shots from the back of the chapel where I was out of sight but I soon realized the pictures I was taking were not going to cut it. Reluctantly, I walked around to the front of the room trying to get more dynamic shots. I managed to successfully avoid all forms of eye-contact with the sisters. All I wanted was to take my pictures and do my best to blend into the background.
Following chapel, I visited a novitiate class and as I listened to one of the veteran sisters instruct three of the newer ones I was struck by the familiarity of the lesson.They discussed the importance of living according to the beatitudes. It was not much different from the many theology lessons I have had in my own Catholic education. I was pleasantly surprised to discover their lesson was comprised of very practical, very basic Christian rules that we are all called to follow in our daily lives.
As I observed and photographed the class, snapping pictures right alongside me was another of the veteran sisters. She explained that they rarely get many photos, and she was gladly taking advantage of this opportunity for them to get some of their own.
As I left the tutoring session I realized my nervousness was beginning to dissipate and by the time I was escorted into the kitchen I finally felt relaxed.
The sisters on duty were washing dishes and preparing a meal. I was met with big smiles and cheerful greetings when I entered. One of the sisters had a surprisingly empowering voice. She was outgoing and bubbly — exactly the opposite of what I had imagined. I immediately felt a connection wither her and as they worked, we chatted like old friends.
While the tone of the day was more relaxed as usual, because of my visit, Mother Regina said they still make regular time-usually an hour-for social time and community. I marveled at the comradery among the sisters, the way they interacted with me as well as with each other.
Not only did they talk quite a bit I discovered, but they laughed, joked, and even teased each other good-naturedly, just like any other group of friends might do.
We talked about knitting and the hot weather, which has been more burdensome than ever for the sisters who do-without the luxury of air conditioning.
They use much of their recreation time to work on the crafts they sell to help support themselves.
The sisters run a small gift shop where they sell handmade rosaries, prayer cards, and infant of Prague statues, in addition to religious medals, books, and figurines. The little revenue that the shop produces is the only self-generated income the sisters receive. They are solely dependent upon the goodwill of others.
Following recreation time, I was taken to an upstairs office where one of the sisters was handling the correspondence and fielding the many daily calls they receive which are mostly for prayer requests. She had a delightfully ironic sense of humor and I could not help but laugh as she described some of the more “unusual” requests they receive.
Next, in the much-cooler basement, I watched the sisters bake and prepare the altar bread they send to various churches.
They also showed me the boiler, which they clean and maintain themselves.
In addition to their everyday housework, the sisters also attend to their entire 15 acre grounds which include a greenhouse, large vegetable garden, and hundreds of flowers.
Most remarkable and beautiful of all is the small forest the sisters have created in the back of their property. In 1997 the sisters began planting 2000 trees in honor of the millennium. Now, more than six years later, the canopy of trees forms a peaceful refuge in the middle of southwest Rockford.
As we walked inside after seeing the gardens, I watched as some of the sisters played with their dogs Melody and Harmony two of the many pets the sisters keep. They also have two cats named Brooklyn and Manhattan and two baby ducks Sugar and Spice, they have been raising since they were abandoned this spring.
When I left the Poor Clares monastery that afternoon I realized how wrong my assumptions had been about their lifestyle. Not only did I understand them better after my visit, but I felt as though I identified with them as well.
Some people choose medicine, law, or education as a career.
The women of the Poor Clares choose prayer.
I have come to understand that they are simply living their lives the best way they know and in a manner that glorifies God and makes them happy.
It’s not for everyone, as Mother Regina told me at our first interview, but it’s what works for them.
God Bless and Mary Protect you all!
9.25.2005
..::Blessed Be God::..
May the peace and joy of Christ be with you always! I have returned from several months of nothing. I am pleased to say that I was at World Youth Day, and during the pilgrimage, made a stop in Assisi and knew that I was meant to be a Franciscan! Praised be Jesus Christ! I had a beautiful time with many wonderful and blessed people! I wish I could write more and share some photos, but I do not have much time now that school has started.
I have recently written Mother Mary Regina after she had sent me a letter along with a newspaper clipping from the article in the Diocean Newspaper about the Nuns. I loved it! I did write her a 6 page letter back because she had asked about my WYD experience. I could have easily wrote more if I had included many many more details! On experience was waiting an hour in line to go to Adoration at the Vigil Site. My friend Britt and I were pushed and squeezed in a line , mostly surrounded by French people and some Sisters, including a few Carmelites. It was quite warm for the most part. Oh, there are so many other stories I could tell of what happened while we were there.
I just hope that there will be an opportunity soon to visit Mother Abbess and the Nuns again! I do miss them dreadfully! I think one weekend I will leave on Friday after class to head out on an hour and fifteen minute car trip and spend the weekend. I could either return Sunday evening or Monday morning. I'd love to stay until Monday morning. I think I will have to call up Mother Abbess and discuss some plans for visiting! I really miss seeing them! I miss the chapel and I miss the Divine Office and the beautifully sung Masses. :sigh: All for Jesus!
I think that before I enter the Cloister, I will make a week long pilgrimage to Assisi (again! I love that city!) with my youth minister, as it is a tradition to take the youth minister somewhere nice before one enters. Last time, when my friend Melinda entered the Sisters of Charity, they were in Hawaii for a while. I don't think I could stand Hawaii... I'd rather go for something like Assisi or going around to all the Shrines and such nearby Rome. Lourdes or Fatima or any other apparition site would be beautiful as well! I think I am thinking much too far ahead, and not at all in a spirit of poverty, one of the vows I will embrace.
Well, blessings to you all, whoever may still be reading this log of vocational status! And, if anyone can help, I am looking for a confessor! God Bless and Mary Protect you always!
Yours in the Most Sacred Hearts,
Angela Louise
I have recently written Mother Mary Regina after she had sent me a letter along with a newspaper clipping from the article in the Diocean Newspaper about the Nuns. I loved it! I did write her a 6 page letter back because she had asked about my WYD experience. I could have easily wrote more if I had included many many more details! On experience was waiting an hour in line to go to Adoration at the Vigil Site. My friend Britt and I were pushed and squeezed in a line , mostly surrounded by French people and some Sisters, including a few Carmelites. It was quite warm for the most part. Oh, there are so many other stories I could tell of what happened while we were there.
I just hope that there will be an opportunity soon to visit Mother Abbess and the Nuns again! I do miss them dreadfully! I think one weekend I will leave on Friday after class to head out on an hour and fifteen minute car trip and spend the weekend. I could either return Sunday evening or Monday morning. I'd love to stay until Monday morning. I think I will have to call up Mother Abbess and discuss some plans for visiting! I really miss seeing them! I miss the chapel and I miss the Divine Office and the beautifully sung Masses. :sigh: All for Jesus!
I think that before I enter the Cloister, I will make a week long pilgrimage to Assisi (again! I love that city!) with my youth minister, as it is a tradition to take the youth minister somewhere nice before one enters. Last time, when my friend Melinda entered the Sisters of Charity, they were in Hawaii for a while. I don't think I could stand Hawaii... I'd rather go for something like Assisi or going around to all the Shrines and such nearby Rome. Lourdes or Fatima or any other apparition site would be beautiful as well! I think I am thinking much too far ahead, and not at all in a spirit of poverty, one of the vows I will embrace.
Well, blessings to you all, whoever may still be reading this log of vocational status! And, if anyone can help, I am looking for a confessor! God Bless and Mary Protect you always!
Yours in the Most Sacred Hearts,
Angela Louise
7.17.2005
..::Praised Be Jesus Christ::..
Here are some pictures from Corpus Christi Monastery. This is hopefully where I will be in about a year! Just here to the left is a bird's eye view of the monastery and part of the grounds. sorry about the dark line in the middle, the picture was scanned from a book on Sister Mary of the Trinity, Poor Clare of Jerusalem.
The next picture are the chapels. The one on the right is the public chapel and on the left, the cloister chapel for the Sisters. If you look at the monsterance and the "keyhole" that it is in, it can be viewed in both chapels at the same time because the altars are back to back. I believe that the chapel itself was built in 1919.
Next we have Liturgy of the Hours and the cross form prayer which is done daily (I think twice daily!) for a few minutes, but I cannot remember if it is after or before the examination of concience.
Next we have the cell and the library. In the picture from the library you can see they do not wear shoes, and if you can read the bit at the bottom, it explains they only wear shoes outdoors when working.
Next, we have some celebrations! Investiture! The little Postulant clothes herself in the Holy Habit of the Poor Clares! It also looks like that new Novice is the Novice Mistress now... At least that is what it looks like.
This last picture speaks for itself, no other words are needed from me! God Bless and Mary Protect!
7.03.2005
..::Blessed Be God::..
Well, it seems as though nothing has happened here in a month or so. Well, my scanner is not hooked up and hasn't for over a month now. I don't know if it ever will any time this summer. But I did get to go to Sister Mary Veronica's First Profession Ceremony and it was beautiful! I only had expected to stay for Mass and then say hello to Sister afterwards, but Mother Mary Regina wanted me to hang around a little longer to chat. I did have a chat with Sister Dominica, the Novice Mistress. She is absolutely wonderful and what I would expect a nun to be! We talked about camping and the Franciscan places in Italy and Germany for when I go to World Youth Day. Sister Dominica was so excited to tell me about all the places and I want to go visit them all!
Well, in case anyone has been wondering when I would be entering, I am sure hoping it is not after I graduate from college. I really do long to enter next summer, July if possible. Thing is that my mother is so against me leaving at that time. She is set on me finishing college, even though college wasn't what I wanted to do. I even picked my major thinking, "What will allow me to help support my community?" I thought art simply because I am pretty okay at it and I could somehow use that to help the community. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if I rarely got a chance to use my artistic skills.
Recently, I thought I had mailed out a letter to Mother Abbess, but it turns out I hadn't and I cannot mail it until Tuesday! I think I might be stopping by the Post Office to get it off to a quick start! That is about all for now, I just pray that St. Anthony will watch my vocation and pray for me! God Bless and Mary Protect!
Well, in case anyone has been wondering when I would be entering, I am sure hoping it is not after I graduate from college. I really do long to enter next summer, July if possible. Thing is that my mother is so against me leaving at that time. She is set on me finishing college, even though college wasn't what I wanted to do. I even picked my major thinking, "What will allow me to help support my community?" I thought art simply because I am pretty okay at it and I could somehow use that to help the community. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if I rarely got a chance to use my artistic skills.
Recently, I thought I had mailed out a letter to Mother Abbess, but it turns out I hadn't and I cannot mail it until Tuesday! I think I might be stopping by the Post Office to get it off to a quick start! That is about all for now, I just pray that St. Anthony will watch my vocation and pray for me! God Bless and Mary Protect!
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