What must it be like to live in a monastery? Praying, living, working, recreating, studying, thriving, growing and wondering...am I going to be a Passionist Nun?  Will I get to wear that holy habit one day?  Will I, one day, be bound to Jesus Crucified FOREVER by the five Passionist vows?

I thought you might find it interesting to see life from the perspective of an aspirant.   According to our Rule and Constitutions (#91)...

 The better to discern God’s Will in their lives, the aspirants live in community for a definite period of time, not beyond three months, as arranged by the Superior, having heard her Council.

The attitude of the aspirant to contemplative life in a Passionist community, her character, health, psychological balance and sociability are evaluated. Meanwhile they familiarize themselves with the scope and mission of the Passionist contemplative life, the poverty, simplicity and detachment from everything which must characterize their life.

As contemplative nuns we are deputed to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. This perfect prayer of worship, praise, intercession and reparation brings the graces of redemption to all times, people and places.

Various forms of work, manual labor and study - good for body and soul

Typing a supplement to our Passionist Proper Offices

One does not need to be a mystic to enter the monastery nor does she need to know how to sew...all things in due time!

Scripture sharing on Sunday mornings

Time for the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and other devotional prayers throughout the day

Our aspirants use a book on St. Gabriel by John Joseph Schweska followed by a class on our Passionist charism and Passionist saints. 

During the aspirancy there is also a video course by Fr. Timothy Gallagher on the Rules for Discernment of Spirits. This class has been a great grace for a number of women who have come here discerning God's plan for their life.

Next week Anne and Sr. Cecilia Marie will begin the scripture class from Genesis to Jesus generously made available through the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (whose President is Dr. Scott Hahn)

Darning socks? be careful not to darn too thick or you'll have sore heels!

One is encouraged to grow in her natural talents

Well, I hope you enjoyed this short day in our life. Please pray for us as we seek to live out #90 of our Constitutions:

The Passionist Nuns, being cooperators with God who chooses and calls whom He wills, strive to encourage vocations by making known the value of the consecrated life and the challenge involved in the following of Christ Crucified, as also through the example of their lives, their prayer and the spoken and written word.

We have several young women who have expressed interest in coming for a visit in the spring and one who hopes to return this summer for the aspirancy.  Please pray for them and for all whom God is giving the gift of being radically consecrated to Him. To love Him and make Him loved!