Category Archives: Women’s Communities

News, Women's Communities

Not Your Average 70’s Chapel

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One year ago, I posted a blog on the proposed renovation of the Carmelite chapel in the Infant of Prague Monastery in Traverse City, Michigan.

Here is what it looked like then.

 

Here is what it looks like now.

The renovated chapel and new altar were dedicated by Bishop Bernard Hebda of the Diocese of Gaylord on Sunday, February 3, 2013

The design and renovation work were supervised by Notre Dame architecture professor Duncan G. Stroik.

 

The Carmelite nuns decided after years of reflection to transform the modern-style chapel into a place of sacred beauty and transcendence. For the Carmelites, every experience of beauty is an experience of God – and their renovated chapel, though small, offered an opportunity for this beauty.

The nuns lead lives of simplicity, contemplation, and prayer, but wanted a beautiful sanctuary for the glory of God and to inspire the laity. The nuns’ choir is positioned to the side of the sanctuary, separated from it by a new forged steel grille in the Spanish Carmelite tradition. The Choir is positioned to the side of the sanctuary, where the nuns attend Mass and pray. There is a new altar rail, marble floor, mahogany woodwork, and new shrines to St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph, and the Infant of Prague. The nuns requested wood columns and a wooden altar rail to give the sanctuary a Spanish aesthetic – and to aid Michigan’s economy by using local labor and materials.

A new tabernacle was also installed, accompanied by a matching set of candlesticks and crucifix, first in a new line of altar appointments designed by Mr. Stroik called Rinascimento,. The tabernacle is enthroned on the Carmelite’s high altar, with views from the nave and through the cloister grille.

The inscription above the Ionic columns reads Adducam eos in montem sanctum meum et laetificabo eos in domo orationis meae (Isaiah 56) – “These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.”

Mother Mary of Jesus, Prioress of the monastery, said, “We would need a cathedral to seat everyone who has helped us. The overwhelming support of the community has demonstrated that people want churches that look like churches.” Amen!

Women's Communities

The Call of Divine Providence

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Some of the most beautiful apostolates that our religious communities engage in are those that serve the mentally disabled. One community in the Chicagoland area that has been caring for the most vulnerable people in our society for generations is the congregation of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, also known as the Guanellians after their founder, St. Louis Guanella.

The Guanellians care for the mentally disabled, the homeless, the elderly, youth, those needing catechesis, the hungry and the poor in 14 countries around the world and in the Midwest and eastern states of the US.

St. Guanella began the works of the Congregation in the US in Chicago where the first Sisters ministered to  Italian immigrants and their families. They taught school and later built a residential home and school with the focus of caring for the mentally and physically challenged.

The sisters will be holding a discernment weekend in Chicago from Friday, March 15, to Sunday, March 17, for single women at their convent at 4200 N. Austin Avenue, Chicago, IL. Contact Sr. Beth Ann Dillon, DSMP (773) 545-8300 for more information.

Participants will be guided through a process of personal reflection & discernment. The Liturgy of Hours, Mass, Lectio Divina and small group work will be included as part of the weekend. Individual mentoring will be available upon request.

In our discouraging times, when life seems to have little value or meaning for so many people, the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence give witness that every life is a gift from God to be cherished and nurtured and respected and, more importantly, loved.

We give witness to the value of human life from conception to natural death and to the merciful love of Christ toward all men and are alert and attentive to accept the signs of the times as the call of Divine Providence.

 

 

News, Women's Communities

A Milestone in North Dakota

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This year, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hankinson, North Dakota, are celebrating their 100th anniversary in America. Also known as the Dillingen Franciscans, the sisters arrived in Collegeville, Minnesota, from Germany in the summer of 1913 and served in the community there until 1958. In 1921, they opened a parochial school in North Dakota where the Motherhouse was built and still is today.

There are many Franciscan communities around the world , many of them new foundations. The charism of St. Francis of Assisi has remained new and vibrant for lo these many hundreds of years. The Sisters however are one of the very ancient communities for they can trace their beginnings back to 1241 in Germany (just 15 years after the death of St. Francis himself!). In the early 1300’s they became affiliated with the Friars Minor of the Strasburg province and they received the Third Order Rule of St. Francis. To survive almost 800 years in the middle of Europe is incredible.

In 1803, the government confiscated all of their land and buildings. The sisters were allowed to remain in the convent until their deaths but no new postulants were allowed to enter the community. By 1828, there were only 5 sisters  left but it was enough for a new beginning. By1847, there were 53 sisters and by 1968 there were over 2300! The Lord uses even the smallest seed to grow a large, fruitful orchard. The sisters today serve in Germany, Brazil, India and the US. In North Dakota they care for the elderly and sick, teach young people, visit the imprisoned, support pro-life causes, run a retreat house, produce altar breads and do other evangelical activities.

Commenting on the German sisters who came to foreign soil in Minnesota, Sr. Ann Marie Friedrichs, OSF, said, “I am filled with an immense amount of joy and pride every time I think of the courage and vision it took for our German sisters to leave their homeland…not familiar with the American customs and totally unable to speak English. What trust in God they had to say ‘yes'”!

 

Women's Communities

Evading the Nazis

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Recently, Sr. Anne Green, l.s.p., died at age 100 in a Little Sisters of the Poor home in Scotland. As remarkable as as her age were her adventures as a Little Sister during World War II. Sr. Anne was living in the Little Sisters’ Motherhouse (all Little Sisters spend some time in France as part of their formation) at La Tour St. Joseph in Brittany, France,  when the Germans took over the area. Because Sr. Anne was a British citizen, she was forced to go into hiding for 6 years at a Little Sisters’ home near Belgium. However, when the Germans occupied that town, “the mayor phoned the Reverend Mother and warned her that if there were any British citizens there, she should send them away,” said Sister Anne. “There were four of us, including an Australian, and she told the mayor that there was nowhere for us to go. He said he would burn our registration papers and that we should remain in hiding.”

The one time she left the confines of the convent, she and her companion encountered a German patrol and Sister was forced to take refuge in a pile of potatoes loaded onto a cart. She was undetected and never left the convent again until the Allies arrived.

When American tanks came into the town, Sister stopped a convoy and asked the commander if he could find her brother Tom who was in the army. He said to her, “Sister, there are just a couple of million soldiers back there, but I’ll see what I can do.” Two days later, said Sister Anne, “they found him and brought him to see me. I will never forget seeing him walking in. It was absolutely wonderful.” I’m sure the American commander was amazed and happy too.

Sister Anne returned home to Great Britain in 1949 and served out her long life among the poor and aged in the United Kingdom. The Little Sisters have 4 homes in Scotland, 4 in Ireland, 9 in England and even one on the Isle of Jersey. May God grant repose to her soul and may the Little Sisters of the Poor continue to care for God’s venerable aged ones around the world.

“She was exemplary,” said Mother Aimee. “Her continual smile and serenity were testimonies to her happiness in religious life.”

See the full story in the The Scotsman.

Cloistered life, Men's communities, Women's Communities

Two Communities, One Act of Praise

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Something you don’t find everyday in the modern world, much less in the U.S., is a twin community of nuns and monks. Such a community of Benedictines exists in Petersham, MA. The St. Scholastica Priory houses a group of nine nuns and the Monastery of St. Mary, a group of seven monks.  Both live a contemplative life of prayer in service to God, the Church and world.

St. Scholastica Priory is an independent priory of Pontifical Right. St. Mary’s is a dependent house of the Abbey of Pluscarden in Scotland. When there are enough members in the men’s community, they will become an autonomous community as is typical for Benedictines.

The nuns and monks live a monastic life according to the Rule of Saint Benedict and pray the office in Latin using Gregorian Chant , except for Matins and Vespers. Monks from St Mary’s serve as the sisters’ chaplains. The monks’ Novus Ordo Mass is in English with sung parts in Latin and Greek.

As it says on the St. Scholastica website: The Benedictine life is both ordinary and human, extraordinary and divine. It is ordinary and human because St. Benedict in his Rule encourages us to get on with the business of monastic life; it is extraordinary and divine because it is a response to a call from God and it is a life lived for others.

The sisters will hold a Monastic Experience weekend for young women who may be called to this life from February 15-17, 2013.  Please email smangkloss333@aol.com or call 978-724-3213 for more information.

To thee, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up thine own will, takest up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King. Rule of St. Benedict

 

 

News, Women's Communities

The New Evangelization in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

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I come originally from Minnesota and don’t associate that state with any burgeoning religious institutes. However, there is a young community in New Ulm that is attracting young vocations called the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus (Ancillae Cordis Jesu). They were were founded in 2007 and do various apostolic works in parishes to help people grow in their faith. This was the first religious order to be established within the diocese of New Ulm and to have its Motherhouse within the diocese. Articles about their life and beginnings appeared in The Journal of New Ulm and the Winsted Herald Journal a couple of years ago.

They are called Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus because “we live in imitation of our Lady as handmaid,” said Mother Mary Clare. Mother Mary Clare originally joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal but felt called to return to Minnesota.

The work of the New Evangelization is vast and the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus are prepared to go wherever the Lord calls them be it catechesis/faith formation, youth ministry, family life/marriage preparation, liturgy coordination, liturgical music, sacristy work, domestic care of churches and rectories, visitation of the sick and elderly, and education in Catholic schools. Who they are is more important than what they do. But what they do is to further the Kingdom of God as His handmaids.

The next “Come & See” date for young women between the ages of 18 and 30 is April 12-14, 2013. Contact Sr. Regina Marie at handmaids1@gmail.com with any questions.

And isn’t their homepage picture absolutely beautiful?

 

Cloistered life, Women's Communities

A First for Albania

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When I was growing up, I remember Enver Hoxha claiming he had established the first completely atheistic country in the world – Albania. Nuns were driven out of their convents and priests were murdered. The homeland of Mother Teresa was devastated and impenetrable  from all but those who pray.

Pope Benedict called Mother Teresa “this chosen daughter of Albania” who “proclaimed to all that God is love and that He loves every human being, especially those who are poor and neglected. In fact, love itself constitutes the true revolutionary power that changes the world and leads it forward towards fulfillment.”

Well, just recently, the Carmelites have established the first-ever Carmelite monastery in the country. A group of Croatian nuns from several communities have left home and homeland to bring the light of Christ to the Albanians in Nynshat. Monsignor Gjergj said that there was so much sin in the country and so many prayers are needed for healing and renewal. For years, the sacraments have been unavailable to the people or the people were not prepared to receive them.

The Carmelite vocation is to live a life of prayer and penance for the Church and for the sanctification of priests. Here, they also pray for the Albanian Church. Many people view the Church as simply a social service organization. He hopes the Carmelites will be a witness of the life to come that is prepared for by sacrifice and suffering and self-abandonment. Now a new springtime can begin.

Pope John Paul II visited Albania in 1993 and encouraged the people  “to continue united and strong on the journey which leads to complete freedom.”

See this YouTube clip of the sisters inaugural time in their new homeland.

 

 

Vocations, Women's Communities

Cyber Vocation Talk

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To celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week, a Visitation Sister will be available to answer questions about spirituality and vocations by email, chat and telephone from January 14 – 18, 2013.

The event is called “Cyber Discernment Week” and it will be hosted by Sr. Susan Marie Kasprzak, a Visitation Nun.  Sr. Susan Marie will offer her counsel each day throughout the week, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM (EST) and 1:30 to 4 PM (EST), answering questions about such topics as the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, one’s vocation in life, monastic living, and responding to life’s daily challenges. Phone calls made outside of that time will be returned.

“People we talk to are on all spiritual levels and walks of life, and it often surprises me how I can bring the spirituality of our co-founder, St. Francis de Sales, to bear on a person’s situation,” said Sr. Susan Marie recently.

Sr. Susan Marie, who was interviewed on the “EWTN Live” program last May, has been hosting a weekly “Living Jesus Chat Room” on the Visitation’s Second Federation (First Federation monasteries observe papal enclosure) website for almost two years. Each Sunday night at 7:30 PM Eastern Time, a lively online discussion between Sister and various participants can be seen in real time.

“There are many Catholics out there who struggle to draw closer to God,” Sister said. “Some are very knowledgeable in their faith; some are not. They often need an encouragement or some directive to help them in their progress,” Sister said.

Men and women age 18 and up are invited to contact Sr. Susan Marie during the upcoming week. Sister will be responding to emails sent to srsusanvhm@aol.com. Or you may visit the “Living Jesus Chat Room,” or call Sister at (718) 745-4452. The event is being publicized by Vocation Promotion, which serves religious communities by providing internet-savvy know-how to assist communities’ work of promoting vocations.

The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary was founded in 1610 by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in Annecy, France, “to give to God daughters of prayer, and souls so interior that they may be found worthy to serve His infinite Majesty and to adore Him in spirit

News, Saints, Women's Communities

Parish Visitors Foundress Canonization Underway!

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Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, is on her way to sainthood we hope! Cardinal Timothy Dolan has approved the process opening the way for her canonization. Sr. Maria Catherine, PVMI, Vice-Postulator for the cause, said that she hopes that the process which is now very public will allow “others to know her as we know her.”

Holiness of life is “heroic virtue practiced consistently” in words and by example. Mother had two goals: 1) the holiness of the sisters and herself and 2) leading all souls to that holiness of life which is characterized by love for God and zeal for souls.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York said that she was “way ahead of her time” when it came to evangelization. It was not a program to be administered. It was personal, one-on-one.  The Parish Visitors apostolate is to go door-to-door in search of the lost sheep. They lead children and adults to faith in Jesus Christ. They are “missionaries who walk with Mary in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.”

A typical conversation begins, “Has anyone in this household ever been baptized Catholic?” This simple question has begun the process of re-evangelizing hundreds of thousands of those who have strayed from Jesus. The Sisters strive to draw each person into closer union with Him.

One sister who knew Mother Tallon personally said: “Kindness! Mother had such love of souls and compassion….’You are spiritual mothers….Make every soul count.'”

The Parish Visitors, said Mother Tallon, “speak to the people face to face and heart to heart.”

Cloistered life, Women's Communities

A Technology Leap of Faith

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Not much has changed for the Carmelites over the past 900 years. Their priorities remain unchanged – prayer, solitude and work to support the community. But for the Carmelites of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a new era has dawned – they have a website! www.carmelofsantafe.org

This IRL Affiliate community of 8 nuns was established in 1945 by Mother Mary Teresa who was forced to flee Mexico in the face of the terrible persecution suffered by Catholics in that country. She died in 1997 in Jefferson City, MO, at another Carmel that she also had founded.

The Santa Fe Carmelites are situated in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountains, on the high desert of northern New Mexico.  They are a part of the Spanish Catholic legacy that has been present in Santa Fe for more than 400 years. Santa Fe means Holy Faith!

The charism of the sisters is guided by their foundress, St. Teresa of Avila, and by St. John of the Cross, another Carmelite. They live in the presence of God, in imitation of Mary and the prophet Elijah, who awaited God in his hermitage on Mount Carmel, 900 years before Christ.

See a story about the Santa Fe Carmelites in the Santa Fe New Mexican