[DameAgnes]

St. Mary Jacinta made her solemn vows today. No pics as yet. http://www.olamshrin...remonies07.html

[zunshynn]

I don't think there will be any pictures... unless Mother Vicar changed her mind about that since I left...

[DameAgnes]

zunshynn, on Jun 19 2009, 01:46 PM, said:

I don't think there will be any pictures... unless Mother Vicar changed her mind about that since I left...

Zunshynn, OLAM is not going to post pics anymore?

Oh. Sad.

[Kathgirl]

DameAgnes, on Jun 19 2009, 04:06 PM, said:

Zunshynn, OLAM is not going to post pics anymore?

Oh. Sad.

I think she means of Professions not investments.

[zunshynn]

Kathgirl, on Jun 19 2009, 03:30 PM, said:

I think she means of Professions not investments.

I'm pretty sure any ceremonies, although they'll still use old pics on the website sometimes... like when there's an investiture coming up they'll show an old pic just to show what it is... But like I said, they could change back to taking pictures again as quickly as they stopped.

This post has been edited by zunshynn: 19 June 2009 - 07:24 PM

[By His Grace Alone]

zunshynn, on Jun 19 2009, 08:22 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure any ceremonies, although they'll still use old pics on the website sometimes... like when there's an investiture coming up they'll show an old pic just to show what it is... But like I said, they could change back to taking pictures again as quickly as they stopped.

Why have they decided not to post pics anymore?

[dominicaninmyheart2]

How sad! I enjoy seeing the pictures of the ceremonies! Hopefully, Mother Vicar will change her mind at some point.

[zunshynn]

By His Grace Alone, on Jun 19 2009, 11:54 PM, said:

Why have they decided not to post pics anymore?

:idontknow: Mother Vicar doesn't want OLAM to have so much attention... she thinks it's detrimental to the community living a cloistered life. And as for pictures being taken privately at ceremonies... perhaps she just wants the ceremony to be simpler.

[Saint Therese]

That's very wise. Often much harm comes to communities through such things, sadly.

[tnavarro61]

in wrote once to OLAM if I could interact with one of the nuns (like st therese and the sminarian, although i am not a sem.) but they said they couldn't due to their cloistered life. Well, that is so inspiring for me, actually! That's cloistered life! Zunshynn do u know someone last year who wrote to mother angelica from the philippines? Thanks!

[zunshynn]

tnavarro61, on Jun 20 2009, 11:02 PM, said:

in wrote once to OLAM if I could interact with one of the nuns (like st therese and the sminarian, although i am not a sem.) but they said they couldn't due to their cloistered life. Well, that is so inspiring for me, actually! That's cloistered life! Zunshynn do u know someone last year who wrote to mother angelica from the philippines? Thanks!

I think I remember reading your letter when it was out for everyone to pray for you... I didn't note that it was from the Philippines though. :)

[dominicaninmyheart2]

zunshynn, on Jun 20 2009, 05:47 PM, said:

:idontknow: Mother Vicar doesn't want OLAM to have so much attention... she thinks it's detrimental to the community living a cloistered life. And as for pictures being taken privately at ceremonies... perhaps she just wants the ceremony to be simpler.

That would make sense given that the community is a cloistered one. Thank you for the explanation zunshynn. It is always nice to see the pictures of Mother Angelica and her sisters on the investment ceremony or profession days or other occasions at OLAM. I can remember watching Mother Angelica's programs on EWTN at various times in school. She has always seemed very lively and passionate about the things she does.

[DameAgnes]

I think the Mother Vicar's thinking may be sound on the issue, but I also think perhaps a "happy medium" could be reached that would seem less intrusive to the sisters and that would simply be to not show postulants entering, or any sister's name. On the other hand, to show pics of a ceremony of an unnamed nun (or even a short videotape) being clothed or professed, might be a very good information tool for discerners, and for those like me, who feel called to pray for all men and women discerning or moving along the path to religious life.

That said, because I do feel so compelled to pray for all of these, I was very "aware" of Sr. Allesandra's upcoming investment date, which the OLAM site had posted, and rather shocked when the date passed with no mention of the great event. It confused me a little, because I had been praying for Sr. Allesandra's intention...and now I had no idea whether I should pray for her because she had left, or because she had been invested...I still don't know, actually. Was she invested?

Each community has to decide what "works" for it. Some communities may not want much internet presence at all, outside of a "contact us" page; others might feel that they can attract more vocations and answer more questions with more developed sites. I don't judge. OLAM has flourished very well while "in the public eye" all these years. But perhaps it is time for them to recede a bit. (I do love to learn all the new "names in religion" though! :-)

The monastery owes the public nothing - it gives a great deal to the world with its prayers. But they must know that many people also pray for them, and maybe a notice that they will not be posting any further snaps or whatever might have at least acknowledged the existance of the "audience" they have themselves built.

[Saint Therese]

DameAgnes, on Jun 21 2009, 09:46 PM, said:

The monastery owes the public nothing - it gives a great deal to the world with its prayers.

I agree.

[zunshynn]

DameAgnes, on Jun 21 2009, 07:46 PM, said:

I think the Mother Vicar's thinking may be sound on the issue, but I also think perhaps a "happy medium" could be reached that would seem less intrusive to the sisters and that would simply be to not show postulants entering, or any sister's name. On the other hand, to show pics of a ceremony of an unnamed nun (or even a short videotape) being clothed or professed, might be a very good information tool for discerners, and for those like me, who feel called to pray for all men and women discerning or moving along the path to religious life.

Well, I think that's why she is still using old pictures. Personally, I don't really understand why she feels its disruptive. I did not feel like having pictures taken of my investiture was intrusive. And I don't think not having a sister's name disclosed would fix whatever disruption she believes that its causing. In the time I was at OLAM, the sisters were only vaguely aware of how much they were in the public eye (granted some, like the ones that deal with the newsletter, etc, were probably a little more aware than others). I never even saw the OLAM website until I left. I mean we knew a lot of people knew about the monastery, but not the extent that people would talk about individual sisters.

Quote

That said, because I do feel so compelled to pray for all of these, I was very "aware" of Sr. Allesandra's upcoming investment date, which the OLAM site had posted, and rather shocked when the date passed with no mention of the great event. It confused me a little, because I had been praying for Sr. Allesandra's intention...and now I had no idea whether I should pray for her because she had left, or because she had been invested...I still don't know, actually. Was she invested?

Sister Alessandra was not invested... Though I am sure she is grateful for your prayers and would still be appreciative of them. However, I don't feel that it's my place to say why she was not invested.

Quote

Each community has to decide what "works" for it. Some communities may not want much internet presence at all, outside of a "contact us" page; others might feel that they can attract more vocations and answer more questions with more developed sites. I don't judge. OLAM has flourished very well while "in the public eye" all these years. But perhaps it is time for them to recede a bit. (I do love to learn all the new "names in religion" though! :-)

The monastery owes the public nothing - it gives a great deal to the world with its prayers. But they must know that many people also pray for them, and maybe a notice that they will not be posting any further snaps or whatever might have at least acknowledged the existance of the "audience" they have themselves built.

I would agree that OLAM was flourishing the way things were, and I have no doubt that it meant a lot to people to be able to "see" them a little. But the new vicar has her way of doing things, and I know the Lord, in his goodness, is going to work with that for good, in one way or another.

And just to clarify, I don't know exactly how the website and newsletter may change. All I am aware of is that there would be no photography at any ceremonies.

[DameAgnes]

Thanks for the information on Sr. Allesandra. Please note I had NOT asked for any of the particulars as that is certainly none of my business.

I will continue to pray for her as I do for you and for all of our phatmassers and other friends who have "come out" of religion, whether willingly or not, but most especially for those who are clearly hurting - even some years later - as they continue to try to find God's will for them in their lives. I honor and respect all of you for your faithful seeking.

[FSM Sister]

I was told that about half of the new ones decide to leave before solemn vows. Is that about normal for cloisters? It probably varies a bit from cloister to cloister. In most of the active orders I know, about 1/3 decide to leave at some time during formation. I'm just glad they at least give it a try. So many young people I know don't even give religious life a passing thought.

[stlmom]

Like Dame Agnes, I find myself supporting vocations in a number of ways, by prayer and as a regular contributor to the Mater Ecclesiae Fund for vocations. As a result, I do like following updates as a community's formation program grows. It's great when you can read that a community has accepted x number of postulants or that another clothing or first profession has taken place, with a few details added. But there is no need to go beyond that.
As a mother myself, I'd be a little uncomfortable if my daughter entered the convent and her picture and activities were on view for all to see. I think people in formation are entitled to some privacy, as we know all too well, that many of them find their way back to the "civilian world".
Having said all that, I think it very appropriate when a solemn or perpetual profession ceremony takes place, that it is made public in a tasteful, joyful way. After all, this person's life is now a great gift to the Church.
Just my 2 cents.

[VeniteAdoremus]

stlmom and Dame Agnes, you rock.

Personally, I wouldn't like having pictures taken when I receive the habit or take my vows (deo volente). Around that, during the ceremony... well, okay, maybe :) There are certainly good arguments in favour of it, especially as I will be joining a non-cloistered community. And before and after is certainly OK.

The moments themselves are so personal, I really wouldn't like to have it over the internet for all to do... whatever they do with it. And, hey, the photographer is supposed to be praying for me at that time, not trying to find the best angle ;) (This is also why I dislike pictures of the Consecration.)

I totally understand people choosing to do have theirs published for the exact same reason, by the way. It depends on your personal feelings, I think. And if my superiors like to have them, I would let them and not think about it.