K
kristinamoore
Guest
I need to know if there is any religious houses that except soneone like me that has a disabled?
In solidarity with our sisters and brothers everywhere, and imitating Jesus the Carpenter who worked with his hands, we too work to support ourselves. We are thus a working community. The types of work vary from one monastery to another; our work includes doing some of our own housework and cooking and other domestic tasks, as well as remunerative works such as having a guest/retreat wing; art work of various types, a small gift shop, and computing services. We work in silence and peace; whatever we do is a labor of love. Work, as a mutual service, is a concrete way of making our gift of self real in the here-and-now. Despite our best efforts, we are unable to support ourselves without the generous help of others.
In his Rule, Saint Benedict places great emphasis on hospitality, receiving guests as if they were Christ in person. So, faithful to this tradition, we too welcome guests who wish to share our life of prayer. Guests are always welcome to share our Eucharist and Divine Office. On a small scale, we offer facilities for private retreats, and provide space for those who wish to come for a time of rest and quiet reflection. Day retreats for small groups can also be accommodated. Although our hospitality is a service, we find ourselves enriched by all those who come to us. As we receive from them, so too we hope to spread some of the light that comes from the Cross, and the joy of the Risen Savior.
Perhaps one of the most characteristic elements of the Rule of Saint Benedict is his moderation. It is precisely this point that makes our life possible. Benedict had this to say: “Let the Abbot so arrange all things that the strong have something to strive after, and the weak are not turned back in dismay.” Ever since we were founded, we have demonstrated that genuine monastic life can be lived in a simple way so that physical limitations need not be an obstacle. At the heart of our life is the Cross of Christ, that tree of life, continually reminding us and all those we meet, that the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection is indeed a mystery full of life and fruitfulness for the whole Church, for all persons. Today, as from our very earliest years of existence as a monastic community, the joy we experience in striving to live out this mystery in our own lives prompts us to sing “Amen, Alleluia!” which is our motto. Everything in our life is aimed at facilitating and fostering the seeking of God that has characterized monastic persons throughout the centuries.
For the young or less young woman interested in joining us, the essential point is that she give genuine evidence of a call to our way of live. She may be in good health or have some physical limitation. Good mental and psychological balance is essential so that she can receive formation and become a living, well-integrated member of a group. Education beyond high-school, as well as work experience, are strongly encouraged. Before joining us, the candidate comes to see our life first-hand. There may be several visits, depending on circumstances. This is a necessary and mutually beneficial stage. Before beginning the novitiate, there is a time of probation that allows for a gradual initiation into our life. After this probationary stage, called the postulancy, the postulant is admitted to the novitiate which usually lasts two years. It is above all a time of spiritual deepening. After the novitiate, if all has gone satisfactorily, the novice is admitted to first profession for one year, which is renewable for several years, at least five. During these years, the sister learns how to live more fully as a member of our religious family. She deepens the teaching already received, and prepares herself to be open and ready for the great surge of new life that will be hers in wholeheartedly making perpetual monastic Profession.
We give our lives for the increase and unity of the whole body. If we allow our own wounds to be healed in the blood of the cross, the broken unity of the body of Christ will be mended in us and around us, until all shall be one. Although the world may not understand our withdrawal, or may invite us to assume other tasks, or may simply ignore us, still the world has need of our stability in its own high mobility, our openness in its thirst for God, our hope of eternal goods in its desire for lasting happiness. Throughout its night, the world expects that we will keep our lamps lit and will remain watchful as we await the Lord who is coming.
And so we continue to move forward along the path. The way may be obscure at times, and marked by difficult moments. If we profess to follow Jesus Crucified, we know well that our road too, leads to the Cross. There is no other way to Life than the way Jesus took. He said “Yes” to the Father by accepting death fully, and in that moment he passed over into Life eternal. He is Jesus Crucified, and he is the Risen One, who is the Lord of Glory, living forever. With our eyes on him, knowing that in him we too share this same risen glory, our song forever is “Amen, Alleluia!”
following the Rule of Saint Benedict and our own Constitutions and Rule of Life,
in a spirit that is essentially apostolic.
The Lord’s CROSS is at the heart and center of our Congregation.
We desire to allow the mystery of the CROSS to shine forth
in our fraternal lives lived in the spirit of the Gospel;
we are united by a strong liturgical life that centers around daily Eucharist and the singing of the Divine Office (the Liturgy of the Hours).
Silent prayer, lectio divina, reflective reading and ruminating on Scripture and important texts from the Fathers of the Church and other texts are part of our daily life.
We live lives of love---love for Jesus who, through love, accepted suffering and death for our sake to bring us with him to heaven, reconciled with the Father;
---and love for one another, in a response to the call of love through the CROSS.
Ours is a monastic, contemplative life adapted to those in poor health or with certain physical handicaps, or in good health.
Prayer is our primary function; it is characterized by joy, simplicity and a loving surrender to the will of God.
We profess stability and conversion of life, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict and our Constitutions.
Like all Benedictines, we live “under a Rule and an Abbot” (superior) and we joyfully embrace and live out the will of the Father, in whatever ways it is made manifest to us.
Our call is to live a simple monastic life of conversion and praise, that is
centered on the Paschal Mystery of Christ and lived out in the rhythm of the
Church’s liturgical year.
Our call is to leave everything in order to follow Christ in this Paschal Mystery.
This means we are enlightened and given life by the mystery of the CROSS, made
especially clear by our being placed under the title of JESUS CRUCIFIED.
We strive to radiate the mystery of the CROSS in surrender (AMEN) and in great joy (ALLELUIA). This is the motto of our Congregation,
We witness to the world that it is a privilege to carry one’s cross in the footsteps of Jesus, and to help our Sisters to carry theirs.
In our bodies we live the suffering of Christ, always trying to live in the spirit of HIS resurrection.
Thus we continue the mystery of the Incarnation, by which Jesus said, on coming into the world, “Behold, I come to do your will.” Jesus did this by always saying “YES” to the Father; we attempt to do this by a life of fidelity to the will of God, constantly seeking to imitate Jesus.