Sara

Recently, I introduced you to Simona, who recently entered into discernment about becoming a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia.  Now, I would like to introduce Sara.  Sara works at Neumann University as a campus minister.  She has her own blog.  I lifted this quote off her blog to give you an idea of who she is.

Living in a convent is much like living in a family . . . you have your responsibilities within the household: your nights to cook dinner, your chores, your days to lead prayers, etc. But along with those responsibilities also comes the fun things that keep you connected as a unit!

So please, take that decrepid image of "NUN" out of your head and replace it with the reality of living a life devoted to following God's will! I'll tell you, from what I have experienced from a number of the older sisters in the community, it's well worth it!

 So, religious sisters sitting alone all day praying is BUSTED by Faith-Busters! In place I wish to leave you all with this image, the image of the family. Living in a convent is much like living in a family . . . you have your responsibilities within the household: your nights to cook dinner, your chores, your days to lead prayers, etc. But along with those responsibilities also comes the fun things that keep you connected as a unit!

I would really encourage you to go to her blog at www.mascaraandprayer.blogspot.com to really get to know her well.  Her blog is very interesting and gives insight into one young person's adaptation to religious life in the 21st century.

Spiritual Autobiography

Image by drp via Flickr

I recently went to a workshop on writing your spiritual autobiography.  I have begun it.  I think if I gave it a title, I would call it "Conversion stories."  As I look back on my life, I realize how close God has been to me and has helped me grow spiritually through these different conversions.  When I speak of conversions, I am not speaking of from one religion to another, but of spiritual conversions which bring me close to God.  Perhaps in time, I will share some of these conversion snippets with you.

I am not sure who would read this autobiography when I finish or if anyone would be interested, but something in me tells me I have to write it, and perhaps I can share some of the stories here.  And perhaps you, dear reader, would like to share some of your own.

By the way, the picture above is not of me.  That is St. Therese de Lisieux who is my patroness and wrote her own spiritual auto-biography.

 Related articles

• Review: Spiritual Parenting (simuleustisetpecator.wordpress.com)

Our New Candidates

Our candidates have arrived.  One is Sara and the other is Simona.  I like to introduce them to you one at a time.  Simona is from Romania.  The following is an excerpt of an interview with Simona taken from our Community News.

"After a long journey that took me across two oceans and involvement in different ministries, one beautiful October day in 2007, I met Sr. Betsy Goodwin in Boston through a common passion of working toward the eradiction of human trafficking.  That was the beginning of a simple, quiet, and gentle relationship that little-by-little developed into a more profound relationship with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.  After one year of working with Sr. Betsy, I came to the motherhouse for a Mini-Sabbath, where from the hill coming up to the Glen, I fell in love with and was mesmerized by the beauty, simplicity, and serenity of the place.  When I first stepped into the motherhouse, I knew that something more powerful, gracefilled, and peaceful took over my whole being.  I knew from tht moment that this is the place where I belong and want to be for the rest of my life.

What I am most impressed with and love about the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia is their love for one another and their love for all creation, their faithfulness and continuous presence to each other and to those whom they serve, their honesty and mutual support, and their tremendous witness and inspiration-not so much by words and deeds but rather by their being and continuous dedication and passion for the love of God and his Living Word.  It seems to me that no matter the sister' ages, professional backgrounds, roles, and country of origin, they seem so much inflamed with the love and gratitude of and for God, the Gospel, people, creation, and all that sustains and surrounds us here on Earth and even beyond.