Summer 2010

They are happy whose God is the Lord,     the people he has chosen as his own.                                   — Psalm 33 Most of us know the joy of being specially chosen for some job, event or position. There is even the deeper joy when we find that special “someone” in our life and experience the mutual choice of nurturing and growing in that relationship. Here at the monastery joy marked the day of January 28, when postulant Tara took the next definitive step in her vocation. She has heard the Lord’s call, His choice of her, and she has happily responded to that call. On the day of her investiture, dressed in bridal finery, she exchanged all that in a private ceremony within the enclosure. Now clothed as a daughter of St. Clare, her bare feet are more firmly set on the path of joyful Gospel living. During the rite of investiture, the newly clothed novice is presented with a crucifix. Upon reception she says, echoing the great St. Paul, “May I never glory except in the cross of my Lord, Jesus Christ.” This happy day of investment came shortly before the season of Lent. This season, of course, is one where we turn our thoughts more frequently to the Passion of Our Lord as we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery during the Easter Triduum. It is a very special and grace-filled time in the monastery. We have a slight schedule change during this season. We come together once a week for some particular community work project. We also include a community retreat day each week. We take time during this season to prepare the house and our hearts for the Easter celebrations. The novitiate sisters use some of their Lenten time to work in the garden. “Lent”, which means “spring”, is a time of planting. It is the mystery of the resurrection taking place before their eyes. These little seeds that seem so lifeless, yet once planted and cultivated rise up in their own time to new life. This shows us another way to prepare for the Easter feast. Christ came to give us life, and give it in abundance. As spring leads into summer, the spring planting will blossom forth to an abundance of flowers and vegetables in the garden. Through these natural occurrences in nature, for those with eyes to see, God’s work and the fulfillment of His promises are all about us. May you too know His special love and care for you.