J.M.J.A.T.K.G
Editors note: I'm writing this on an iPhone so apologies for typos and awkward sentence. Also, as a reflection of my new stage in religious life I changed the look and name of the blog. Enjoy!
Last Sunday, my community (I get to say that now) welcomed two new novices. One of whom was living with me and two other sisters at our community's (it really is fun saying that) welcoming house.
It was a wonderful and joyous celebration without hardly a dry eye in the congregation. It was great to walk into my community's (still fun) chapel knowing all I had to do was celebrate this momentous event. I kinda felt like Prince Harry at his brother's wedding. Just smile and wave and be thankful I'm out of the spotlight. And serve the nuns coffee. Always do that.
Although quite a few sisters after the ceremony elbowed me saying something about how that'll be me next year. It took everything in me not to dry heave.
Tonight, we had the new novice's mom and step-dad over for soccer and dinner for their last night in town. They're an incredible couple who were fascinated with our way of life.
Tonight, is also the new novice's last night at our house.
It's a strange feeling because in a normal room mate situation, once someone moves out you usually don't live with them again. Or you don't have much contact with them. Not so true in religious life. We may live together next year or we may never live together. We may live in the same city (most likely Detroit) or we may live across the country. Or in different countries.
However, if things continue the way they are, we'll be connected in ways I could not image a week and a half ago.
It was a week and a half ago that everyone in the congregation raised their right hand and read a prayer asking for God's blessing on my classmate and I's continued discernment. Something changed inside me. It's hard to discribe and will probably take most of my time as a candidate to articulate. It's a feeling of inclusivity. Or standing on solid ground that is moving at the same time. During my own ceremony in between thoughts of dry heaving and running I kept thinking that I was doing the right thing. Always a good thought to have at a welcoming ceremony. Running and dry heaving not so much.
So.
Our small community (still fun) will change in a big way. My classmate for a few months moved in tonight. She was in a community a few years ago so she's well versed in community living. At the end of August she will be received as a novice, or promoted as I like to say. And again our community (fun!) will change.
Editors note: I'm writing this on an iPhone so apologies for typos and awkward sentence. Also, as a reflection of my new stage in religious life I changed the look and name of the blog. Enjoy!
Last Sunday, my community (I get to say that now) welcomed two new novices. One of whom was living with me and two other sisters at our community's (it really is fun saying that) welcoming house.
It was a wonderful and joyous celebration without hardly a dry eye in the congregation. It was great to walk into my community's (still fun) chapel knowing all I had to do was celebrate this momentous event. I kinda felt like Prince Harry at his brother's wedding. Just smile and wave and be thankful I'm out of the spotlight. And serve the nuns coffee. Always do that.
Although quite a few sisters after the ceremony elbowed me saying something about how that'll be me next year. It took everything in me not to dry heave.
Tonight, we had the new novice's mom and step-dad over for soccer and dinner for their last night in town. They're an incredible couple who were fascinated with our way of life.
Tonight, is also the new novice's last night at our house.
It's a strange feeling because in a normal room mate situation, once someone moves out you usually don't live with them again. Or you don't have much contact with them. Not so true in religious life. We may live together next year or we may never live together. We may live in the same city (most likely Detroit) or we may live across the country. Or in different countries.
However, if things continue the way they are, we'll be connected in ways I could not image a week and a half ago.
It was a week and a half ago that everyone in the congregation raised their right hand and read a prayer asking for God's blessing on my classmate and I's continued discernment. Something changed inside me. It's hard to discribe and will probably take most of my time as a candidate to articulate. It's a feeling of inclusivity. Or standing on solid ground that is moving at the same time. During my own ceremony in between thoughts of dry heaving and running I kept thinking that I was doing the right thing. Always a good thought to have at a welcoming ceremony. Running and dry heaving not so much.
So.
Our small community (still fun) will change in a big way. My classmate for a few months moved in tonight. She was in a community a few years ago so she's well versed in community living. At the end of August she will be received as a novice, or promoted as I like to say. And again our community (fun!) will change.
Exactly. I couldn't have explained my feelings about my own candidate ceremony any better.
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