Monastic Musings

The Church Prays for Cloistered Religious on Nov. 21, Feast of the Presentation of Mary

Our community was featured on Nov. 15 in the Catholic Chronicle, the diocesan newsapaper in Toledo, OH. A video they made is seen at right.

The paper also wrote an article, "Catholics asked to pray ‘for those who pray’ Nov. 21," which called attention to this date, which has been designated as "Pro Orantibus Day" (For those who pray), when Catholics are asked to offer special prayers for cloistered women and men religious.


Scenes from the video above that the Catholic Chronicle made about us. Go to Chronicle article and video.

Sister Mary Michael's First Vows
On March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph, we rejoiced with our Sister Susan as she pronounced her first vows as a Visitandine. At that time, Sister received the name Sister Mary Michael. In the photo Sister is in the middle.
New Monastery Pathways Made for Our Sisters

The first week of July saw several contractors descend on the Monastery to replace and extend the old brick walk by our Stations of the Cross. Now there is a wide enough sidewalk that goes from Saint Joseph, past the Stations and then curves back and around the statue of our Blessed Mother making her the focal point of that area. Now all our sisters have access to the Stations and a greater area of our "garden enclosed." The Catholic Chronicle carried an article on the project, "New pathways a 'dream come true' for cloistered sisters."

Happy events
	Sr. Josefa Maria (wearing flower wreath in front row) made her Solemn Profession on Feb. 22. Hers is a "late" vocation. She likes to tell us it took her 69 years. She was married and has children and grandchildren.

Sister Marie was received into the Novitiate on Feb. 2, 2012.

Sisters Maria Engracia and Maria Gabriela

On December 12, 2011, the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, we celebrated the solemn professions of our dear Sisters Maria Engracia and Maria Gabriela. They are seen here just after their profession as they were going to embrace their families. Both sisters are named for our Sister-Martyrs who gave their lives during the Spanish Civil War.

A "Visit" from Blessed John Paul II

A friend of the Community who sponsors a Lenten Symposium brought a stole and pall used by Pope John Paul II. She had them on loan from the Vatican for display at the symposium. We had the display for several weeks so those who came to Mass where able to venerate them. We kept them in the Sisters’ Choir at the feet of our Blessed Mother—a fitting place for our Marian Pope. The stole was worn by Pope John Paul during one of his African pilgrimages and he used the pall during the great jubilee year.

"Leonie!" Filmed at Our Monastery

With the permission of our Bishop, Holy Trinity Apostolate came to film some scenes from the movie "Leonie!" The film is based on the life of Leonie Martin, one of the sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Leonie had a difficult childhood and after several attempts was professed a Visitandine at our monastery in Caen, France. Pictures depict the shooting and the cast and crew relaxing between scenes.

Please pray as they are still looking for a distributor. We were blessed to see the finished film in July.


These two sister-actresses look right at home at our monastery.	The videographer makes an adjustment.

"Let nothing separate them from the heavenly Spouse..."
	Scenes from a Solemn Profession


Prostration during the Litany of the Saints	Pronouncing her vows


Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair. "May the light of Christ enlighten your path."	Returning to the Sisters' Choir


Sister is congratulated by her brother.	A sister thankful to God