Here's a link to register. https://www.autisticcatholics.org/community-resources

"Saint Bernard Abbey

etsSporond 189 f8c9gmh: 80gAMua516mcta3061g4ff Mr32a0981fah9 ·

On the 21st [of March], during our celebration of the Transitus, we witnessed a beautiful milestone in the life of our community.

Please join us in congratulating Brother Raphael Ray (Lebanon, TN) and Brother Damien Jackson (Anniston, AL), who have officially professed their simple vows!

After completing their novitiate, these brothers now enter three years of the Juniorate. Here, they will dive deeper into the Rule of St. Benedict, living out the promises of stability, conversion of life, and obedience in the 'school of the Lord’s service.'

We also ask for your continued prayers for our new novices: Br. Nicholas, Br. Boniface, and Br. Gabriel.

Special thanks to Anne Stephens for capturing the quiet joy and peace of this sacred day in these photographs."

Here's the news release (posted on march 23rd) about the three new novices. Again, there are pictures on the Facebook page. 

"Saint Bernard Abbey

etsSporond 189 f8c1gmh: 83gPMua516mcta3061g4ff Mr22a2981fah1 ·

Last Saturday’s celebration of the Transitus of St. Benedict was a day of deep joy and gratitude for our monastery.

In the course of the liturgy, three postulants were clothed in the holy habit and entered the novitiate, while two novices made their next step, professing temporary vows and entering the juniorate.

In our way of life, a man first spends six months as a postulant, learning the rhythms of prayer and community. He then receives the habit and begins a one-year novitiate, a more intense period of formation in the Rule of St. Benedict. After this, he may profess vows and enter the juniorate, a three-year period of continued formation before solemn profession.

With the reception of the habit, the new novices also receive new names:

Austin Smith is now Br. Nov. Nicholas (after St. Nicholas of Myra, feast day December 6)

Timothy Boland is now Br. Nov. Boniface (Apostle to Germany, feast day June 5)

Michael Maddox is now Br. Nov. Gabriel (after the Archangel, feast day September 29)

With this, the monastery now has all three archangels represented: Br. Michael, Br. Gabriel, and Br. Raphael.

Please keep these brothers in prayer as they begin this new stage of monastic life.

(Photos: the new novices. Photos of the newly professed juniors will be shared soon—stay tuned.)"

https://saintvincentarchabbey.org/vocation-office-come-and-see-july-9-10-11/

"For years we´ve looked down on the Muslim homes below, around the shores of Lake Lanao, and wondered what their life was, and now we know," said Carmelite Mother Madeleine Ledesma, prioress of the cloistered monastery.

An American Protestant missioner, Brian Lawrence, kidnapped July 12 in Marawi City by other Muslim rebels, was released July 18. Paris Foreign Mission Father Michel de Gigord was similarly kidnapped for three weeks in June.

The sisters said their kidnappers treated them well. One sister called it a to picnic," because their captors were kind to them and gave them special treats, such as roast corn.

They said they would not testify against their kidnappers if the case came to court, but a young postulant said she was frightened throughout the five days.

"God has been glorified," Sister Teresa, spokesperson for Carmelite Sisters in Manila, told UCA News.

"Our sisters have shown, by the graciousness and courage of their words on their release, that they love the Muslim people without any thought of converting them.

"The experience did more to draw the sisters and Muslims close together than years of talking could ever manage," she said.

Bishop Fernando Capalla of Iligan, named special emissary to the kidnappers by Pope John Paul II, said "(they) realize they participated in a ´dialogue of life´ between Muslims and Christians.

"They experienced literally having been lower than the Muslims who had power over them." Bishop Capalla said. "They feel lucky to have been given that experience, (but) we are not yet at ease.

"There are too many unanswered questions about who did this and why."

Many people whom UCA News interviewed in Marawi and Iligan attributed the kidnapping to followers of Lanao del Sur province´s former governor, Ali Dimaporo, a supporter of deposed President Ferdinand Marcos.

Removed from office by President Corazon Aquino, Dimaporo heads a private army nicknamed the "Barracudas," estimated to have up to 5,000 members.

Observers said the kidnappings are meant to demonstrate the lack of power of Aquino´s appointees to local offices and to indicate that Dimaporo and his followers should be returned to office to keep order.

The sisters, however, said kidnappers told them they were kidnapped to make the public aware of Muslim demands for autonomy, as stated in the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, signed by the Philippine government and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels.

The kidnappers also said they wanted to punish Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila, describing him as anti-Muslim and too influential with President Aquino. They blamed Cardinal Sin for Aquino´s failure to do anything for Muslims since coming to power in February.

Aquino promised to punish the sisters´ kidnappers, but observers said the president´s firmness had little effect.

"Muslim groups in southern Mindanao kidnapped three other people within a few days of the sisters´ release, so they obviously don´t believe the government has such a ´get tough´ policy," he said.

Bishop Capalla said Muslim religious leaders asked him to use the term "Maranao" (the tribal name of Lanao del Sur Muslims) rather than "Muslim," when describing kidnappers and politicians behind the crimes.

The kidnappings were "un-Islamic," the Muslim leaders said.

At one point, the bishop said, he was afraid some Catholics would retaliate against Maranaos for kidnapping the sisters. "I begged them not to do anything. It wasn´t right and wouldn´t do any good," he said.

Despite the sisters´ release, neither Bishop Capalla nor Bishop Bienvenido Tudtud of Marawi indicated they see an end to kidnappings.

"Bishop Tudtud knows something like this may happen again but he´s not taking any precautions," Bishop Capalla said. "This is not a religious problem but the Church sits in the middle of it all.

"It seems the Marawi Church is the sacrificial lamb," he said.

"We are preparing to respond to this role as a Church, so we are discussing what we should do should a similar incident occur. We will try to deal with the crisis but we will not fight it head on," Bishop Capalla said.

"We prefer to make a non-violent response.

Bishop Capalla´s Iligan diocese -- most of Lanao del Norte province -- is 76 percent Catholic; Bishop Tudtud´s Marawi prelature ~- the rest of Lanao del Norte and all of Lanao del Sur province -- is about 8 percent Catholic.

Marawi and Iligan are about 25 km apart, almost 900 km south of Manila.

The sister´s kidnapping was the third experienced by Bishop Tudtud. Sister Delia Coronel was kidnapped in 1978 and Father de Gigord in June. Both were also released unharmed.

-- The Carmelite Sisters came to Marawi in 1984 at Bishop Tudtud´s invitation to pray for peace between Muslim and Christians.

Since the late 1960s, more than 100,000 people have been killed in fighting between government troops and Muslim rebels seeking autonomy for the Muslim regions of Mindanao, about half of the country´s second-largest island.

The Carmelite monastery sits on the highest hill in the area and overlooks Lake Lanao, the cultural heartland of Maranao Muslims.

The sisters adapted their customs to the Muslim environment. Their songs and dress at prayer are Muslim in inspiration, Sister Teresa said.

She said Carmelite Sisters in Marawi "witness to the folly of the cross, the purity of the Lord, and keep the spirit of prayer active in that world -- in short, they adore."

"Why were the sisters kidnapped when they had done no evil?" Sister Teresa asked rhetorically. "Why did Jesus Christ die on the cross?"

-- Mother Ledesma wrote the following selection for the book, "The Asian Religious Sensibility and Carmelite Spirituality:"

"I am a Filipina. And I am a Carmelite. I was born a Filipina and became a Carmelite at 17. That is, I was a Filipina before I became a Carmelite, but it was only after I became a Carmelite that I became aware of how Filipina I was.

"Perhaps because my education was so Western, the mentality I was exposed to in my early years (was) so colonial. Anyway, it was my being a Carmelite that made me touch the depths and riches of my being a Filipina.

"Our community (in Marawi) is an all-Filipina community and has been from the start. Although there is still much of the colonial mentality, especially among our older Sisters, our community flavor is unmistakably Filipina."

NOTE: Mother Mary Madeleine Ledesma used to be the President of the Association of Monasteries of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines in and Marawi Carmel has been suppressed due to dangers of terrorism, with the nuns disperse to other Carmels.

https://fscc-calledtobe.org/2026/08/31/franciscan-sisters-home-parish-reflects-on-perpetual-profession/

https://fscc-calledtobe.org/2026/07/23/chicago-ycp-death-becomes-life-st-francis-jubilee-year/

This event falls on the Feast of St. Clare of Assisi, one of the major feasts of the Franciscan tradition. The evening will begin with the celebration of Mass, inviting participants to enter more deeply into the Franciscan spirit before gathering for dinner, fellowship, and an inspiring presentation.

The Executive Speaker Series is a free event open to the public in which executives and consecrated religious share their career and faith journeys with young professionals, challenging them to “Work in Witness for Christ.”

I have heard some nuns explain it as a protection of their own stillness or the heart of prayer, because the cloister contains the indwelling of the Trinity and we must protect it like a ribcage protects the heart. However, this explanation has served only to suggest that my loved ones are a threat to my relationship with God or that they are unwanted, and this is certainly not the case.

I also recognize that this struggle that my discernment causes my family might just be a cross that the Lord would like me to bear. 

Advice or no advice, please pray for my family and me in this discernment journey!

I am considering a Carthusian vocation. I only speak English so am only considering Transfiguration in the USA and Parkminster in the UK. Does anyone have any experience with either of these places? I have discerned with Benedictines and loved the freedom of the religious life but was drawn to the Carthusian charism, so I am not going in completely blind.

Pax

I have been lurking on this phorum for quite some time and I appreciate the wise answers many folks here give. I'll get right to the point: I'm discerning religious life with an order, currently as an aspirant just staying with the community but have some concerns about their formation process - I have not received any clear answers on what it will be like. Which, I know some of that is normal and to be expected, but the reason I am concerned is that these fellow sisters shared THEIR formation experience back in the day and it is rather strict and frankly would be considered abusive by today's vocational standards (asking forgiveness for dropping forks, public humiliations for postulants who did not finish their food on time)...the only clear answer I've gotten is that I would be spending my formation abroad doing hard manual labor such as farming, butchery, singing, studying, praying and playing. The sisters have expressed to me that this formation process may be still strict as it was back in their day, but they can't confirm the details of that. I appreciate their efforts to tell me what they can, but a part of me is starting to feel suspicious. I also am noticing I don't feel like their prayer style is aligned with what I am looking for in an order. I don't want to be anti-cross and a complainer, but rather am looking for feedback to help me make the best decision :) I have been considering the Sisters of Life as well because their order is fantastically run and I hear nothing but great things about them. What do you think? 

This Carmel is one of the most conservative and traditional Carmels following the 1990 Constitutions.  This is a wonderful monastery and based on the photos I saw, they are of French origin Carmel (the habit is "French style") and still wears the alpargatas or hemp sandals.

I am sad to hear this news.  

What Is Velocity?

Velocity is defined as the rate of change of displacement with respect to time. In simple words, it tells us how quickly an object changes its position in a specific direction. For example, saying a car is moving at 60 km/h is a statement of speed, but saying it is moving at 60 km/h toward the north is a statement of velocity.

Velocity vs Speed

The key difference between speed and velocity lies in direction:

Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude.

Velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

Because of direction, an object’s velocity can change even if its speed remains constant, such as when a car moves around a circular track.

Types of Velocity

There are several types of velocity used in physics:

Uniform velocity: When an object moves at a constant speed in a straight line.

Variable velocity: When either speed or direction (or both) changes.

Average velocity: Total displacement divided by total time.

Instantaneous velocity: Velocity of an object at a particular instant of time.

Importance of Velocity

Velocity plays a crucial role in everyday life and scientific studies. It is used in transportation, sports, engineering, space science, and many other fields. Understanding velocity helps engineers design safer vehicles, athletes improve performance, and scientists predict the motion of planets and satellites.

Conclusion

Velocity is more than just speed—it is speed with direction. By combining magnitude and direction, velocity provides a deeper and more accurate understanding of motion. Learning about velocity builds a strong foundation for studying physics and helps explain how and why objects move the way they do.

If you want, I can also write this article in simple language, exam-oriented format, or SEO-friendly style.

-God bless!

I've been discerning religious life (being a sister) for some time now and I'm finally scheduled to meet with a sister from the community I really love on Tuesday to ask questions and learn more. Buuuut I'm kinda impatient or at least want some second opinions on some questions I have. Also if there's anything else I should ask, I'd appreciate advice. 

So... 

What "affairs" does someone need to deal with in order to enter the convent (medical, financial, educational)? How many convents should I visit, or should I visit other convents even if I have my heart set on this one? When do I start telling other people about exploring religious life, especially outside of my immediate family? Is there a chance of me being sent to another country, should I join the community? What kinds of things can I do now to prepare me for religious life?

Thanks for helping out and any other advice or guidance is appreciated. 

PS- I'm looking into the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Mishawaka, IN.

https://fscc-calledtobe.org/2026/04/10/catholic-women-20-40-you-are-invited-discernment-of-spirits-retreats-in-the-madison-and-green-bay-dioceses-in-april-and-may/

Learn St. Ignatius’ 22 Rules of discernment enabling you to understand how God’s speaks to you and make wise and holy decisions.

I am in great need of recommendations for cloistered convents that celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in its Extraordinary Form.  These communities seem to be few and far between nowadays, so any suggestions are welcome!  I'm particularly interested in Benedictine or Carmelite spirituality, but am open to others as well!

Just a girl in love with the Lord & the TLM :)

God Bless!