The following posts, listed in autobiographical order, constitute the story of the restoration of my faith, my return to the Church, the discernment of my religious vocation, and my experiences in the monastery. (To view an individual post, click its link below. Or, to view all, click "vocation story" under Selected Labels at right.)On My Reversion and Religious Vocation
On the Gift of Music and the Mystery of Vocation
On Saying "Yes" to My Vocation
On Visiting the Dominicans
On Visiting the Santa Fe Carmel
On Visiting the Benedictines
Further Reflections on the Restoration of My Faith
A Taste of Monastic Life (part 1 of my aspirancy)
The World is Their Cloister (part 2 of my aspirancy) Excerpt:
This is a life of little things -- well, aside from the obvious big thing -- but I mean, it's the little things that touch my heart and put into sharp focus the beauty of this hidden life. When I enter the woods just after sunrise and see coming toward me the white-clad figure of a novice, habit and veil flowing in the chilly breeze, her face serene with the joy of Christ within her, my breath catches in my throat, and I think, "How beautiful that is!" Or when I go to the cemetery and watch an elderly sister, habit completely covered with her work apron, bending over the flowers she's tended so lovingly for God knows how many years, I think, "This is her world. This is her life. It's enough for her, because it's everything for her." Within these walls is a reality so deep and so true, all other "reality" shrinks beside its pure light. These women are living for God, with God, in love with God. That is their reality, and for them there is no other.
The Closure of a Life
My Entrance Day!
Is This the Monastery or the Military?
Random Memories of my Postulancy
A Cell with a View
Three Sunday Mornings
A Reawakened Muse and the Power of God's Grace
A Heavenly Ring and a Holy Death
On the Peculiar Breed Called Musicians
City Mouse Meets Tufted Titmouse
City Mouse Meets Robin Redbreast
An Exercise in Humility
The Elusiveness of Loving
Acceptance to the Novitiate
On Receiving the Habit of Religion
Laundress for 28 Nuns, Part One
Laundress for 28 Nuns, Part Two
On Being the Monastery "Busboy"
"We'll put on our own show - right here in our cloister!"
Nuns Having Fun, Part One
Nuns Having Fun, Part Two - Picnic!
Departure
A New Vocation
At the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Part One
At the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Part Two
At the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Part Three
At the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Part Four
Return to Regina Laudis, Part One
Return to Regina Laudis, Part Two, and the End of My Vocation Story
