DISCERNMENT
A candidate is coming for the first time this weekend to experience monastic life. The first step in our discernment process is simple- are the eligibility criteria met? One must be free from marriage, a member of the Church, free of debts and dependents and a permanent resident of our country. A retreat weekend opens up the opportunity to experience community life, prayer, silence, enclosure and work. Reflecting upon this experience with a spiritual director is key, and repeated visits to the monastery essential. After several months, arrangements can be made for an extended live in period, usually for a minimum of one month.

Lots going on, and missed a day. The 8th grade class reunion news is a phenomenon of sorts, with a website and all. Four classmates have gone to the Lord.

CANDIDATES
One never knows whose heart God is touching, or what their circumstances are. I find that the Lord is calling people from many different life experiences and all we expect is that all difficulties be ironed out before beginning momastic life.From conversion experiences, divorces and annullments, immigration difficulties, etc. God may truly call a person to monastic life.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Spiritual direction is a key component of the contemplative life, and for that reason we have a priest coming twice a month for sessions with individual sisters. I have discovered the depth of this tradition most profoundly in the Eastern Orthodox rites, in which spiritual fatherhood is greatly revered, The Internet has some exquisite sites with articles on this topic which provide much food for thought.