Okie...so some of you know that I got back from the Dominican Sisters of Mary in Ann Arbor last month, and once again thanks to the help of two phatmassers I got there - God reward you hundred fold!
And further more a couple of you know how seriously discerning I am with this community. Lately I've had stranged signs linking to the Blessed Mother - linking to the community, and have been led to reflection and prayer of this and my vocation. I also know a couple of you still want to hear about it - I shall post the story - its 18 pages long, haha, I ask that you pray for me.
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Veritas Means Truth

I’ve waited almost two years for this event and thank God, He has finally permitted me to go.

It was in the early morning of November 2nd 2006 at the local train station, a black Dodge Durango parked in the lot and out stepped two people, the youngest one was Amanda and the other her brother Brandon. They tugged out luggage in the back of the car and sat down in the waiting room next to each other. The sun was starting to peek over the horizon, and Amanda was just about bursting at the seams with excitement, she was going on a trip, a trip that she has waited for, for almost two years. Brandon had gotten up and came back quickly with two cups of hot chocolate; the morning had been cold enough to run inside, but not that cold that there was a frostbite percentage. Several minutes had gone by and those were used with Brandon talking to his sister about all the safety and what to do before, during, and after the train, Amanda sat there listened and smiled, nothing could of possibly of gone wrong.

8:15AM. The sound of the train on its screeching wheels approached the Amtrak station, it was about twenty minutes late, no worry there was a two hour lay over in Chicago. The announcer had told the passengers that a wheel was broken and that the whole car had to be taken off and repaired. As the two young siblings made their way to the boarding gate to the train, Brandon kept on rubbing Amanda’s back affectionately, “I am so jealous of you. I want to go!” He cried, this repeated exclamation; Amanda glanced up at her brother and just smiled and hugged him and responded with a resounding, “I know. I want you to come to.” A few minutes leaving it all behind, Amanda boarded the Empire Builder that would take her to Chicago where she would get on another train and transfer. She took a seat in the front of the car with plenty of leg room and enough space to set her luggage aside; it was going to be an eight hour ride. Slowly the train started to move, inch by inch, as the horn blared in the distance announcing its passing through to the people below on the streets. Soon there after as the train gained momentum Amanda stared out the window looking at the surroundings around her, the trees, the lakes, the sun, the sky, the people and the below out the window, she couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. Staring for a couple hours, which seemed like several Amanda’s hand made way to her pocket and found the rosary, one of her favorite prayers, she pulled it out, and started to pray it, looking at God’s magnificent creation. Several hours had gone by of picking and dropping people off it was 4:40 PM, the conductor came out and the girl sitting across from Amanda spoke, “When will we get to Chicago I have a train that leaves to Michigan at 5:20.”
“With all the delays we wont get there until six…” He explained the process of asking for help, Amanda gaped silently, 6! That’s when my train from Chicago to Ann Arbor leaves! She pulled out her reservation and looked at it stuffing it back her pocket anguished a bit. “You aren’t going to make yours either?” The girl spoke, Amanda nodded slightly. Things just had to go wrong.

Chicago. It was late in the evening, at around 6:15 at night, Amanda and the Empire Builder passengers were frustrated that the train was late and scattered about to find a whole new way to their destination. Several minutes later which felt like hours, Amanda found that a train from Chicago would be leaving to Toledo Ohio and a van would be waiting to take her and a couple others to Ann Arbor Michigan. At around 7:30 the passengers boarded the train, and Amanda called a few of her friends to waste time, and felt a little relieved that she was going to Ann Arbor finally. The ride was long, and tiredness draped over Amanda’s eyes as her and another guy got off and headed toward the car to finally go to Michigan, Toledo Ohio was really different in the night, as the two boarded and buckled in conversation arose for a few minutes and Amanda was fast asleep until she woke up and saw the University of Michigan sign, she was so excited, she was finally here! Upon arrival to the Ann Arbor Train Station the place was completely empty except for two cars in the parking lot, Amanda and the stranger friend emerged and snatched their luggage both ready to crash from their journey. The “host” for Thursday night for Amanda was a friend of a community named Hilary she stepped out of the car and the two of them walked toward one another, “Hi Hilary!” Amanda exclaimed tiredly, they hugged and into the car they both went. The twenty minute ride was spent with talking about how the train was late, weather, the community and being welcomed to Michigan and the next day’s plans. Soon thereafter around 3:15 in the morning, a sleeping bag was thrown on the floor of Hilary’s daughters room, and a head clunk to the floor ontop of a pillow.

8:12 AM. The cell phone rang the annoying screeching nose, Amanda jumped up and prayed a little morning prayer and got changed to the day’s clothes and heading down the stairs for breakfast – she still had a whole sandwich left that her mother packed as well as a juice box and some fruit. After breakfast Hilary and Amanda headed to mass at Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church. Mass was beautiful, to praise God and receive communion that would be the fuel for the day. They headed off to the nursing home shortly after mass, Amanda walked with Hilary feeling awkward carrying Jesus in her hand to be distributed to the residents, and then they prayed the rosary. The sun was shining and it was a very beautiful day, grass was green and it was starting to warm up from the heat of the sun, they landed back in the garage of the house and before anything else happened they two were picking a box full of apples. “So where do you want to got to eat?” Hilary asked, “Applebee’s if you really like chicken, or Red Robin best burger and fries if you’re an American person. I know my daughter would be really happy if we went to Red Robin.” And Red Robin it was – they enjoyed a wonderful lunch together conversing about the community of religious sisters who had a solemnly beautiful yet mystical history behind them, and then the announcement was made, “Well…it is the afternoon…time for me to take you to the convent.” Amanda anticipated with excitement and nervousness, anxiety and butterflies slowly made way back to the truck to head toward the convent. Down dirt roads they went as Hilary told each story behind the road as they got closer, Amanda couldn’t have been more in the head in the sky ready to levitate.

Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist. The newly paved driveway disappeared under the truck as Hilary and Amanda pulled and parked into the convent driveway – you could almost still smell the tar and the painted lines. They jumped out of the truck and grabbed a hold of the once so often seen luggage and made way up to the sidewalk to the convent door. “Am I going to need to contain you Amanda?” Hilary jokingly said, Amanda was bouncing on feet ready to explode. “Welll…..lets see when the sister comes to the door, then yeah perhaps you might have to contain me.” There was laughter. Hilary rang the door bell and a sister’s voice appeared over the intercom, “Hello may I help you?” The voice asked. “I’m Hilary bringing Amanda Day for the retreat.”
“Okay…I’ll send someone to the door.” Amanda and Hilary exchanged little tid-bits of conversation and all of a sudden Amanda gasped – out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw a postulant. That isn’t a postulant you cracked nut, that’s your imagination! She thought, then as if in a dream a professed sister approached the door and opened it. Introductions began, “This Amanda.” Hilary started, Amanda smiled and shook hands with the Sister, “Hi Amanda I’m Sister Maria Gemma.”
“I’m here to drop her off for the retreat…”
“Well come on in Amanda.” Amanda slowly made way into the convent and stood there, Hilary said a few more words to Sister Maria Gemma and the door closed. It was real. It was happening. “You’re here a little early, but let me go see what we can do with you.” Sister Maria Gemma added, Amanda’s eyes adjusted to the beautiful dark wooden interior as she followed sister. They stopped in a corner, Amanda stood by her luggage, and Sister Maria Gemma headed off – during that time another sister approached, “Hi! I’m Sister Amata Veritas.”
“Hi I’m Amanda.” The two new acquaintances shook hands, and Sister Amata Veritas strolled off. Several of the sisters had processed out of their chapel and gathered in a huddle with Sister Amata Veritas. Amanda observed with curiosity, which was squelched by yet another introduction. “Hi. I’m Sister John Mary.” And so forth so on. A conversation broke out for a few seconds and ended in, “let me go see what I can do.” Again it was just Amanda and the few feet away huddled laughing crowd of postulants and novices. Amanda backed into her luggage not wanting to “invade” the sisters’ schedule and looked around the convent from where she was standing. It was just TOOO overwhelming. The group moved a little closer and soon Amanda found herself in the middle of the conversation, “We have our first retreater!” Exclaimed Sister Amata Veritas, the postulants and novices leaned over a little bit with giant smiles and waved, “Hi!” Amanda waved back with a smile when Sister Amata Veritas continued, “Amanda tell us where you’re from.”
“Minnesota” She responded, another Sister’s head popped out and said, “Amanda as in Amanda Day?” Amanda nodded with a slight raise of the eyebrow. “Yes…” The novice strode over to her, “Its Sister Maria Caritas.” A gasp was exchanged from Amanda and the two hug. They had known one another and met one another at a reception at their parish a couple years ago. Several moments later two random postulants came forward and asked Amanda if she would like to meet them in five minutes by the chapel and go for a walk, it was athletic recreation time. Anticipated in joining in to a community function Amanda gracefully accepted the invitation – the walk was spent with a lot of questions both from the postulants and Amanda as they took a beautiful yet “cold” walk touring the grounds, talking about sports, conversion, vocations, and ten times being asked if Amanda was cold and needed a jacket and/or gloves, the answer to that was simply, “She’s from Minnesota!” A tolerance was much appreciated by living in one of the coldest states for all her life, and finally to the end of the hour the postulants had a new “sports expert” – the group headed back to the motherhouse and Amanda was dropped off inside the new chapel, she silently prayed for a few moments until Sister Maria Gemma recruited her to the kitchen. "You’re going to help the sisters peel eggs." She jerked her head back slightly and nodded with a smile, "You’re not allergic to eggs are you?" Amanda shook her head, "no." So into one of the sisters aprons she went and into the kitchen. She met the kitchen leader Sister Mary Theresa and washed her hands and went to work peeling the eggs for egg salad, just smiling as she went, a few eggs and more introductions later Sister Mary Theresa popped back into the kitchen to check and see what was going on. “Aren’t you just having fun over there by yourself?” She mused. Amanda nodded with a smile. Never would she have expected to work in a kitchen of a convent in her life, nor did she except that she was even called to religious life in the first place – the story remains a mystery how it all happen, as questions arose to why didn’t it happen earlier? Why did it happen at this time so recently? Why did He call me to religious life first instead of becoming catholic? The most fresh memory of Amanda’s conversion/vocation story is that she suddenly woke up one morning in December of 2004 and said, “I want to become Catholic!” The rest as it is remains all a mystery. As she reflected upon her life and various communities and how unbelievable it was that she was finally here for a retreat but more then just 24 hours it was almost prayer time. She was told by Sister Mary Theresa to finish that last egg and wash up, and she did just that, as soap was scrubbed she overheard the sisters asking where two of the other sisters were or when they would get back. Drying on the towel. “They’re here!!” the joy was radiant. Amanda spun around in her spot to see Sister Joseph Andrew and Sister Theresa Benedicta, Amanda gasped silently to herself and ducked down by the kitchen sink so the two wouldn’t see her, a few seconds later, busted, Sister Theresa Benedicta was standing right in front of Amanda looking at her awkwardly while partaking in the conversation that was going on, then all of sudden Amanda heard, “Oh my goodness!!!” This from Sister Joseph Andrew, Amanda stood up, the two looked at one another straight in the eye for about a second and then ran to one another enfolding each other in a long big bear hug, which was followed by an introduction, “Here let me take that apron for you…” Sister Maria Gemma said, by the time Amanda got one arm out Sister Joseph Andrew added, “This is Sister Theresa Benedicta.” Amanda looked at Sister and the two shook hands, she knew everyone course, Amanda was always found lurking about on the community website twenty times a day, while watching Truth in the Heart on EWTN – this was followed by a comment from Sister Joseph Andrew, “I’m surprised you two would shake hands.” Amanda paused for a moment and laughed, Sister Theresa Benedicta spared her of humility by saying, “She only had one arm out…” Sister Joseph Andrew and Amanda kept right on hugging, arm over shoulder all the way to the chapel for prayer. Soon thereafter the Divine Office was prayed as well as the rosary, with extra addition of more retreaters sitting in the pews – Amanda a front row type of person sighed in joy and thought of the melodious praise to God through Vespers = evening prayer. It was interesting observing the sisters, seeing them do the Dominican way of things. The sisters had stalls all lined up on each side of the chapel, most of the time they faced one another, but heads down – for any guess - recollections sake, sometimes they faced forward, they bow during the Glory Be a not so unusual thing to see in any community, they switched sides during the antiphons – it was a tremendous blessing to witness such powerful prayer of the Church, and to Amanda it was so powerful that it became wonderfully emotional.

Shortly after vespers Amanda and the other retreaters were recruited for dinner which would be spent in the parlor with Sister Theresa Benedicta. Dinner was nice, a combination of things – with peanut butter chocolate cake. Amanda was allergic to peanut butter, but it didn’t bother her at all. Conversation began to take flight after introductions and what their occupation was, soon the whole group felt a bit at ease – Sister Joseph Andrew joined them near the end which had an added extra surprise when Mother Assumpta the superior of the community and Sister Mary Samuel entered unexpectedly – introductions once again had the toll, “Aren’t you the one that sent-” Began Mother, “Yes I am the one that sent the letters.” Amanda smiled; earlier on Amanda had sent Mother Assumpta a letter asking if she had a written of her Keynote Address from 2004. Dinner seemed like two hours of laughter and conversation, Amanda was always surprised that pretty much every course and dish tasted so great! It must have been God’s grace that added the extra good flavor. Afterwards announcement was made that all the retreaters would be going to the school of Spiritus Sanctus Academy, fondly known as SSA – to help the sisters set up for the retreat and then retire to bed. Anticipated to help the sisters in any and every way Amanda calmed a bit and prepared her heart for Compline, another observation of how the sisters do things. Amanda had partaken in a lot of the Divine Office at other communities like the Little Sisters of the Poor which made it a lot easier then using the breviary to pray the hours, and in Alton with the Franciscans that was a big taste of confusion praying the office with community and to have a few people lean over to tell you where you needed to be – but it was still rewarding nevertheless. Compline was the final hour of the Divine Office otherwise known as Night Prayer ending in the Salve which was utmost purely beautiful. During the times of praying the office with the sisters at other events, Amanda’s favorite office was always Vespers = evening prayer, but that quickly changed to compline. She to couldn’t wait until she learned how to pray properly the Divine Office with the breviary she was given by a cloistered Dominican nun in Summit, New Jersey.

The retreaters all grabbed their luggage and threw it into the back of a couple vans and piled ontop of one another – Sister Thomas Aquinas was the driver in one of the vans – and off the road into the dark of night they all went. The school wasn’t that far away, a couple miles, but whilst the distance wasn’t far the atmosphere in the cars were far from quiet, it was joyful, almost playful.
Spiritus Sanctus Academy. However short the ride, the entertainment was pleasurable – they pulled up into the parking lot of the big white building with a cross jutting up from the roof. They were here…the school…where the retreat would be held the following
day, luggage was pulled and everyone walked inside the school – the first thing facing them was a poster of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and next to it on the left was a pizza flyer for a goal of a couple thousand dollars to be given to SSA. Next item on the agenda was to go to their “rooms” where they would settle in for the night, the majority took the library others took the faculty room. The library was exciting for Amanda, she loved education, she loved to study particularly if it had anything to do with the Catholic faith. She unpacked her sleeping bag in a corner next to the light switches and placed her pillow near the book shelf, after she was done she looked up and noticed the first book sticking out was, The Book of Saints – she chuckled lightly. You know they have to have one of those, she thought. Shortly after – everyone found their way back to the main entrance and were immediately put to work with various jobs to help set up for the retreat. Again the atmosphere was playful with a trio added extra of sisters, Sister Elizabeth Ann, Sister Mary Cecilia and Sister Philip John, who were the ones that put the retreaters to work. Tables were lifted, signs were placed up around the school, dockets were made, tables placed on the gym floor, microphones were set out by the podium, big screens were set, chairs were placed, a shrine was made, and one of the sisters rosary broke by getting caught on the edge of a conference table. After what seemed like hours of working which was only about three or four, everything was done – it was about 9:45 at night. They were all tired, but perspiring and happy – the sisters bid everyone a God Bless you, and a goodnight, which followed with the retreaters giving hugs to the sisters. The night however continued, chatting and talking at the tables in the gym and eating candy which was left by the sisters for a little late night snack. Amanda who had lacked a lot of sleep from the beginning of the journey was the first one to crash out of the group, and with saying a little prayer, setting the alarm on the cell phone, placing headphones on and listening to Mother Assumpta’s Keynote Address talk fell a sleep in just minutes.

Saturday. The alarm clock on the cell phone chimed, and Amanda woke up instantly, dressed and ready to go, she made the sign of the cross, “O God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me.” And said a prayer to her guardian angel. It was still too early, mass wasn’t until 9:30, it was only 7:30. “Two hours, great…I think I’ll take a tour around the school.” And she did just that for the majority of the two hours, looking at the students artwork, strolling through hallways seeing lockers on each side, and looking out the windows seeing several birds play with one another. It brought smile to Amanda’s face, she couldn’t believe she was here, she tried to get here several times before, but each failed, and now it was almost like a dream come true. She looked at a nearby clock and noticed it was finally 9:15; she decided she would go to the school chapel and pray waiting for mass to start. Mass would be the fuel of the day needed to get through all the intense interaction and it was a beautiful mass. Shortly after they all gathered near the gym doors and good mornings were exchanged as well as small talk. Several of the sisters came, including the familiar faces of Sister Joseph Andrew, Sister Theresa Benedicta and Sister Elizabeth Ann as well as some new ones. Next on the docket was breakfast, usually one or some would think breakfast as sitting down with the sisters and having a real meal like a casserole, but what was about to surprise Amanda and others was, “McDonalds?!” Yes McDonalds. However, Amanda piled into another van going elsewhere when she heard that Sister Joseph Andrew needed one more girl, Amanda volunteered as well as another girl, “We’ll….take you both.” Into the Honda they went, Amanda grabbed the front seat next to the driver which would be Sister Joseph Andrew, “Could you move over a little bit Amanda.” This from Sister Theresa Benedicta, as interesting as that request was, Amanda was technically sitting on nothing, placing her hand on the arm chair of the driver seat, she smiled to herself. During the drive pithy remarks and jokes made everyone acquire red faces, and into big McD’s they went – it was breakfast hour, meant egg and sausage biscuits or croissant were to be exterminated more quickly then the employees hands could cook. They all grabbed a couple tables and sat down to enjoy their breakfast. Sister Joseph Andrew joined the table Amanda and a couple other girls were sitting at, Sister Theresa Benedicta behind them at another table, and another table of girls in front of them. It was a complete Kodak moment! And snap went the camera. “So…have you finished To Heaven With Diana yet?” Amanda asked Sister Joseph Andrew, “No I have not – how did you know?” Sister responded looking at Amanda, who burst out laughing. “I was hoping you would ask that…Sister Judith Miryam sends her love. I was talking to her the other day and she told me she sent a copy of it to you. I have a copy to.” Sister Joseph Andrew laughed, “Did she tell you the blurb?” Amanda shook her head, “It’s on the website.” And it was left at that. Conversation was exchanged and they piled into the Honda, “hon could you hold these, I’m sorry.” Sister Joseph Andrew inquired handing Amanda a cup of coffee and a cup of water. Amanda chuckled, “No Sister I don’t mind at all! I’d be happy to!” The water was off into the back where a cup holder was, when Sister Theresa Benedicta climbed in asking if she could hold her water bottle. There were still a few hours before all the hundred some retreaters would be arriving so Sister Joseph Andrew decided to get some interviews in by going to Domino’s Farms – the community was founded on pizza- the place was huge! It had everything Dining Facility, Fitness Center, Post Office, Hair Salon, Dry Cleaner, Bookstore, Chapel, Ample Free Parking, Credit Union, ATM, Deli/Sundry Shop, Art Gallery, and Petting Farm. They were led into the gift shop while Sister Joseph Andrew plucked out a few girls for an interview. A while later Amanda had bought a few things for the Sisters, some holy cards and a couple things for the car, then it was time to leave, well almost. “Do want to take the girls through the art gallery so then maybe I can get one more in?” Sister Joseph Andrew asked, they all nodded and Sister Theresa Benedicta took them through the tour of the art gallery, telling the history behind nearly every painting, unless they were fruit-ful. A few minutes later everyone was recruited heading back out into the car when they all ran into the second group who was just entering.

SSA. Back safe at the school it was only an agonizing hour or so until the place would be packed, the girls already there including Amanda didn’t hesitate to register and get signed in, and they all did so. Amanda had been holding the community gift of a PowerPoint presentation and holy cards from one of Amanda’s friends, she saw Sister in the crowd, “Sister Joseph Andrew!” She managed at a pitch that sister could hear, and strolled over to her, “You forgot these.” Amanda extended the “trifles” with a smile and Sister Joseph Andrew said, “I’m going to take you hon.” Amanda smiled, eyes a little big and took a deep breath, she couldn’t stop smiling, into the office they went, nice area, note pad and pen that had Amanda’s name on it. She sat down; the chair was quite comfortable actually, the smile still beaming from her face. After what appeared to be a half hour or so Amanda left the office joy in her heart and feeling radiant. “I can’t wait until Adoration tonight!” She enthusiastically spoke. She moved forward to Sister Theresa Benedicta and enfolded her in a hug. She looked at her watch, “Well…you have fifteen minutes before the retreat starts, you can go now.” She told Amanda. “Yes! Thank you Sister!” And off Amanda went to the chapel. After praying fervently to Our Lord, Amanda came back calm with peace and joy in her heart, and went off into the gym and took a front row seat. Sister Joseph Andrew was to be the welcoming speaker, “you don’t mind if I take some pictures of you do you Sister Joseph Andrew?” Sister Joseph Andrew laughed, “As if I didn’t know you…” More retreaters arrived, and when Sister started, Amanda retreated from her chair to stand and get a couple good pictures, they started with a prayer and spoke sister did. Click. One picture of Sister Joseph Andrew, Click. Two pictures of Sister Joseph Andrew, Amanda laughed when she noticed Sister had paused for a few seconds after she took the picture and then sat back down. Sister Joseph Andrew had a golden envelope in her hand, “In my hand…I have slips of the Litany of Mary…you will each take one, no cheating, and you will pray about it tonight, and at the end of the retreat the last thing we do is share what the litany means to you specifically. It’s my favorite part of the retreat.” Amanda had no doubt that she wasn’t the only one asking for something good. And around the envelope it goes where does it stop no one knows. Amanda chose a slip and looked at it. Wow…this is a bit obvious…I’m going to have to pray on it in Adoration tonight. Which seemed a bit awkward…owing to the fact that Sister Joseph Andrew’s talk was the core of “don’t talk! Listen!” Following that there was a talk on Our Lady of Guadalupe in the school chapel, and then Sister Theresa Benedicta showed the Bamboo Program, and how God really loves us. Shortly after that they all went to the chapel to partake in observation of the Divine Office – Vespers = Evening prayer, Amanda was looking forward to this again – hearing the melodious praise, and the chanting of the antiphons which sounded intriguing to hear. It was beautiful to be apart of to see so many young women and religious in general whose soul purpose is to love God, to know Him, to serve Him, and to spend all eternity with Him. After vespers it was time for dinner which was of course gracefully delicious, and even more exciting – while Amanda was inline to see what there was she thought she saw her friend Sister Chelsea, “I’m going to keep my eye on her…what table is she at? What table is she at?” Amanda went through the line to the table the young postulant was sitting at, set her food down and looked her straight in the eye. “Are you Sister Chelsea?” There was no time for a nod, or a glance, the two smiled and Sister Chelsea gave one of those tight good hugs, and the two sat down and started to talk and ask questions. Several things happened during this dinner one of the highlights was getting acquainted with Mother Assumpta for a few seconds again for chat, until Sister Theresa Benedicta announced over the microphone that we would begin the recreation game soon and that one of the sisters would be retiring from being the game announcer. The game was simple the gifts wrapped in newspaper that every retreater brought were scattered about the table, whoever got doubles on three dice (but Amanda’s table had two) chose a gift from their side of the table, as the rounds kept going – round two was choose a gift from your whole table, both sides, third round was un-wrap all the gifts and choose from the whole table, and round four was – “Rule number one, don’t push the postulants, rule number two don’t run into the novices, rule number three the professed have to try and get as much candy as possible. You can get a gift from ANY TABLE in this area; bring the gift back to your table…” Bell rings. Sisters and retreaters scattered alike running through narrow gaps, dodging flying candy, ducking under tables – well…maybe not ducking under tables and candy wasn’t being tossed but there was like 127 + 20 some or more sisters there! Amanda made it her personal goal to get as much candy as possible, that didn’t happen, but she did get a book and the announcer said, “You have a few minutes break before we continue our retreat so I suggest you put your gift somewhere where the postulants cant get it, you cant trust the postulants.” There was laughter and clapping, Amanda doubled over laughing and patted Sister Chelsea on the back. So in that time several of the retreaters including Amanda went to their “class-rooms” and tucked away their gift that they got for recreation. Honestly could it get any better? Which was the constant thought through Amanda’s mind, she faintly remembered that would be getting better in such a short breath taking time. After placing the gift in a safe spot everyone made their way to the chapel once again, this time it was night prayer or compline, yay another office! This was particularly sensitive – it was the second time Amanda heard compline, which had become her favorite office when she heard it the pervious day, but it was the Marian Antiphon that was the most electrifying, the Salve Regina. After the intense half hour of prayer they all kneeled and prayed the rosary, it was so beautiful, the devotion to Mary, it was to overwhelming – there was the sense that you could almost and in some cases see or feel the presence of Mary just walking with you, or putting a hand on your shoulder, smiling and letting you know that you would be alright and just walking with you through every second of the retreat.

Leaving with a whole ton of love and reflection they all made their way back to the gym for yet another surprise and of course, dibs on the front row seats!! It was time for the postulants to tell their vocation stories. Amanda’s friend who she met on phatmass entered this community, Sister Chelsea and she was the first one to tell her vocation story. The other four out of fifteen who volunteered to go told theirs, it was beautiful and encouraging to see how God was working in their lives before, during and even after they entered. After the stories there was a few minute break before they would begin what Amanda longed for the Marian Procession with candles into the night and what would be the highlight of the retreat Eucharist Adoration. They sang songs with lit candles in the dark and dead of night due to the season changes and made way through the halls of the school and set the candles down by “altar” as they continued to sing. It brought tears of joy to Amanda’s eyes as she placed her candle by the others, it reminded her of the song “Go Light Your World” which Amanda sang in her hand as she wandered back to the chapel to start her all night Adoration.

7:10 AM Sunday Morning. Amanda had spent all night with our Lord however tiring and neck/back stiffing it was; it was very rewarding. About thirteen hours with Him, Amanda was happy and walked out in reflection mode deciding to tour the all to familiar school again, when all of a sudden she heard over the school speaker, “Good morning, good morning! Jesus is waiting for you! Rise and shine everyone, see you in the chapel at 7:30.” It was Sister Joseph Andrew, Amanda smiled to herself. She popped in the door way of Sister John Dominic’s office where three sisters were, Sister’s Theresa Benedicta, John Dominic, and Joseph Andrew. “Not only is she the Mother Vicar, she’s the morning announcer.” Amanda told Sister Joseph Andrew who laughed. Mass wasn’t to be a while which was going to be special. Everyone was pretty much wide awake during breakfast which was delicious like all the other meals Amanda had, and of course the sisters were present, just around 10 AM they all were told mass would be in fifteen minutes at the motherhouse, that was the surprise. Mass at the motherhouse woohoo! Amanda was happy for the retreaters who didn’t get to see the motherhouse before hand; Amanda considered this part of the extra graces that were being bestowed during her now fourth day in Ann Arbor Michigan. Everyone pilled in the scattered cars, Amanda left with Sister Joseph Andrew, and was given the task to hold the door open for everyone, when Sister Theresa Benedicta came – one of the last “groups”- Amanda greeted her, “welcome back to the motherhouse.” With a popping smile.

Motherhouse Chapel. It was a beautiful sight and feeling to be back in the brand new motherhouse chapel and to smell the stain on the stalls and pews and the fresh paint, Amanda glanced at the symbol on the floor of the chapel remembering the English translation of the Latin words, “To praise, to bless, to preach…” It was the perfect phrase to sum up the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, and the Dominican Order in general. Mass was cramped, but so God present; there was no possible way to fit everyone in the chapel, so the next creative idea was chairs, chairs along the stalls on each side almost near the middle of the “path” that led to the altar. Mass was beautiful, Amanda’s favorite part of course was the reality of the mass in receiving the Eucharist, it wasn’t just bread and wine, it was the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was almost overwhelming…full of joy. After mass it was time for the retreat photo, chairs were placed in a room not that far away from the chapel and everyone somehow managed to squeeze together, Amanda was kneeling on one knee and was led to the reflection of how Sister Mary Joseph turned her class into Dominican Knights of the 21st Century one year. This brought a smile from ear to ear. Sister Amata Veritas the camera-nun was apparently a tight rope walker all her life, going from chair to chair to get everyone in the photo, taking three separate pictures, everyone was glad Sister came down without a broken bone. After that everyone grabbed a chair and one of the best surprises of the retreat was Mother Assumpta, who ended up giving a talk to the retreaters. “Oh….don’t you just love Mother Assumpta!” Amanda whispered in excitement. The retreater sitting next to her turned and said, “OH! I KNOW!” They both chuckled slightly, and Amanda whipped out her camera, “Good idea!” The girl added and took her digital camera out. Snap. Talk began; it was a beautiful talk to. Everyone can say that it was almost that time, a time some dreaded, a time that people would mourn over, the time of near ending – Amanda hopped back in with Sister Joseph Andrew and drove back to the school, it was time….there was a bit of break for a while, you could say a moment of recreation which was mostly spent with the retreaters “retreating” back to their rooms to make sure everything was packed and nothing left behind, Amanda had already packed earlier on and her gear joined the lined walls of other bags, then all reported back to the gym. It was the Litany of Mary Showdown time. From the little piece of white paper with the most powerful words on at the beginning of the retreat, to the sheer ending of the announcement of what it meant to each Christ-filled-heart present, laughter followed, crying followed, “duh’s” were followed by more detailed words, the gym filled with all mixed emotions every imaginable. It had to of been one of the most beautiful parts of the retreat. After several of the retreaters had gone, the retreat was followed by standing ovation to Father Kris the retreat priest, in notification that secretly the majority of the community sneaked into the gym during the “Litany Meaning”, hiding behind the “walls” that were set up Friday night. The least, but emotional part of the retreat was the Domino’s Pizza greeting, boxes of toppings of pizza were laid all over the tables, and the best part was they were in stick configure. Amanda met up with Sister Chelsea again and sat down at a table to eat -after saying grace- who were shortly joined after by a retreater, Sister Mary Gabriel and Sister Maria Caritas. Introduction began, and soon thereafter Sister Chelsea, the retreater, and Sister Mary Gabriel left. It was just Amanda and Sister Maria Caritas, who slid over on the bench of the table, a moment of silence followed then Sister Maria Caritas balanced the beam –it wasn’t just spontaneously talking about family life, jobs, education, friends, passing messages from people who missed that sister and screaming and hugging, ‘Its so great to finally meet you!’ – That wasn’t what the retreat was about, it was “part of it”, but in the depth of it all was the spirituality to balance out the life, the knowing of why did they really come here, what is God asking of me – “So…what has our Lord told you?” Sister Maria Caritas asked, that was it that was the question or part of the phase to balance the beam of life and spirituality. The conversation of spiritualization was one of enjoyment, as God and the Holy Spirit continued to work through everyone and the sisters. After Domino’s there was a hug again from the two who had met about a year ago and then off the novice went, the majority of the retreaters had already left, and those who were still around luggage-d their luggage to the front of the school. Clean-up was to be monumental, but sheer fun, some Sisters jokingly went at each other, as several jobs were done, Amanda helped a Sister to take the Domino’s Pizza bags for the delivery man to pick up to the back door, and more duties were accomplished. After clean-up, tired, perspiring and happy the sisters and five retreaters left threw their luggage in the back of a Ford Truck and headed back to the convent. The small five retreat group wouldn’t be attending compline, after helping unload the vans and the truck and after much deliberation the “Ann Arbor Phive” threw their luggage back into one of the fifteen passenger vans and pilled in, this night was to bombarded by the spirituality and sisterhood of their chauffer Sister Elizabeth Ann, who took them to the Shack, which was of course a little bit more then a shack, shack.

“The Shack.” It was slightly after seven pm, and as late as it was for snow in November, not a single ounce of snow was on the ground, as matter of fact it was a very nice Fall-ish type night, the five retreaters were entertained with stories of roads, running into trees, talking about how narrow the paths were, and of course talking about the retreat, and what the favorite parts of the retreat were for each girl. Following the arrival at the Shack, a short, but awe shocking tour was awaiting; the tour guide was – Sister Elizabeth Ann – the Shack was more then a shack, it was like a big house, and that is all there is to be said about the so called “Shack”. After the tour, before major hugging good-byes the retreaters were led to the nearby chapel, it was a beautiful night, Amanda spent the short walk gazing up at the stars, I’ve never seen so many stars before, wow! The chapel was amazing for something out in the “country” those present kneeled and prayed, Amanda thanked God for everything and beyond that - and bade Him goodnight, and back to the “Shack” it was – a few minutes after claiming bunks and a bedroom Sister Elizabeth Ann had a monumental bouquet of hugs and “God Bless’”. Some snacks had been left out on a table with some pop; the latest Amanda noticed was the new advertisement of Dr Pepper 23, she packed her lunch box with a few things to eat for on the way back home, and settling in with a prayer and a big smile hearing the other four girls say they were going to the chapel, the moment the door closed and as soon as Amanda’s head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep, until her phone (to set her alarm for the morning) went off; it was a good distant friend from New Jersey, after about a thirty second talk, Amanda fell into a deep sleep pondering the Word of God, the retreat, and people she met.

The Finale. At 5:11 in the morning 19 minutes before Amanda’s cell went off, eyes blinked and stared at the wall, “Whoa!” Amanda rolled out of bed and prayed, “O God come to my assistance…Lord make haste to help me.” And then, prayed the prayer of the Guardian Angels. She was awaken by the footsteps of the other retreaters, and about a half hour before Sister Maria Gemma was to pick them all up, like the others, Amanda was ready to go…well…sort of…trying to keep the fact out of her mind that in just about two hours, she would be going home. Plop. Baggage was once again in the back of the van, good mornings were exchanged and the nice cool morning air brightened everyone as back to the convent they went…luggage was withdrawn by their early-bird owners and placed by the front door, as the retreaters reported for duty to the chapel to receive the fuel of the day, through mass. They arrived just in time to experience another joyful hour of the Divine Office, Lauds, or well at least the ending of it. It of course was beautiful, then began the mass, which had its own Heavenly Praise. After mass they were recruited by Sister Theresa Benedicta, a now wonderful familiar face to see – since it was Monday, meant school for the sisters, so the three retreaters left joined them in the “teachers’ refectory” for breakfast, chatting about the retreat, still asking questions, and being worn out – of course after they all said grace. A few quick short moments after beginning breakfast, the four were joined by the Mother Vicar, Sister Joseph Andrew [who stayed for the whole meal], and it was a very delightful surprise. Half a biscuit was left on Amanda’s tray, it was a wonderful breakfast, she couldn’t eat anymore, but this biscuit was so good! It was hard to resist, and she didn’t have to when Sister Joseph Andrew said, “Finish your biscuit hon.” A smile broke out on Amanda’s face as she then exchanged the beauty of motherhood, and how it was just amazing to be mothered by any of the spiritual mothers Amanda knew – which were a lot. A bite of biscuit and it was back on the side. Sister Joseph Andrew had broken half of hers and was buttering it and when she commented again, “have you finished that biscuit hon?” Amanda laughed, and took yet another bite out of it. Sister Joseph Andrew offered the other half to Amanda, who pictured this as the last supper – just not so awkward – another comment was made, “yes…hmm…also testing your obedience.”
“I’m not usually this SLOW in the morning Sister! I eat a lot faster!” Amanda exclaimed, and for Amanda’s sake Sister Joseph Andrew and the others prayed grace for her or at least so that she would finish the biscuit. A few moments later Sister Joseph Andrew rose, and so did Amanda – she didn’t forget her, “best-picture-in-the-album” opportunity and whipped out her camera, “Sister Theresa Benedicta would you please take a picture of me and Sister Joseph Andrew?” Snap. All twenty-seven pictures were up, and the camera was ready to be developed. Sister Thomas Augustine came into the refectory shortly after, and announced that it was time for Amanda to go home. The hugging began, but this time it was followed by the purest tears of joy, “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry! I’m leaving home to go home” Amanda balled, on Sister Joseph Andrew’s shoulder, who kept on squeezing and hugging her. Finally when they walked Amanda laid her head on Sisters shoulder, it felt like Our Lady she was leaning on. Well……hence the name the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

THE END

I'm so glad to hear that it went well!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!!!

Thank you onlygrace - It was amazing, and instead of being there for 25 hours I was there for five days, well four, the other day was spent actually trying to "get" into Ann Arbor!!!

The memories are soooooooooo fresh particularly of the ones with my/our friends in them, you should have seen Sister Peter Mary, holy cathedrals! She wasnt what I expected, she's great!!!! Though her and Sister Maria Fatima tend to jokingly go at each other.

Hi!
This is Mandy again, and this is officailly my 2nd post (sorry, I get excited over little things)
I really like your retreat story! It makes me even more excited to go to the February one... If my math is right, which it probably is not, only 27 days!
Thanks!
In Christ's Love,
Mandy

26 a day off, hehehe. I am soooooooo excited.

Hi again!
24 days!!!! I cannot wait!
In Chirst's love,
Mandy