Photo-Journal: Convent Life

Formal, communal prayer is an important part of the life of a Sister. It is also, to be honest, a real joy. In these times of praying the Divine Office, adoring Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Holy Rosary, and attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass together, we grow in love for Jesus and are prepared for the coming day. We are like Our Lady at the Annunciation - open to the workings of the Holy Spirit and inviting Jesus to come to us. We, with the Blessed Mother's help, can offer our own little fiat for that day. The times of personal prayer, especially visits to the Blessed Sacrament, help foster and deepen what was planted in times of communal prayer (and vice versa).

Our life is not just spent in the chapel, although we keep the chapel in our hearts in all we do. Like Our Lady in the Visitation, who after receiving the Word into her womb went out in charity to her cousin Elizabeth, we go out to our duties for the day. Whether it is out teaching in the schools or laboring in the cathedral sacristy or at home cooking, cleaning, and gardening, we strive to live the spirit of the Visitation. We come together several times in the day for prayer as well as meals and time for recreation. All of these activities, flowing from our times of communal and personal prayer, make our whole day a prayer.