Olam Update

[zunshynn]

[quote name='CherieMadame' date='05 June 2010 - 07:13 PM' timestamp='1275786826' post='2124331']
And she's the one who receives the vows?!
[/quote]

Currently, yes, the superior at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery is a Benedictine, and she would receive any vows made by sisters in the monastery.

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='05 June 2010 - 07:19 PM' timestamp='1275787184' post='2124339']
I'm curious (just because I've never heard it before) -- what exactly is an Apostolic Administrator? What is their role/office? And how are they appointed?


[/quote]

I'm sure that the reasons for an apostolic administrator being appointed for a religious community varies, but essentially, it's someone chosen from outside of the community itself by the Holy See or the local diocese to act as the superior of a community for a period of time. On a day to day basis I'm pretty sure their role is the same as that of an abbess or other superior.

[Cherie]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='05 June 2010 - 09:26 PM' timestamp='1275787608' post='2124349']
I'm sure that the reasons for an apostolic administrator being appointed for a religious community varies, but essentially, it's someone chosen from outside of the community itself by the Holy See or the local diocese to act as the superior of a community for a period of time. On a day to day basis I'm pretty sure their role is the same as that of an abbess or other superior.
[/quote]

Gotcha - makes much more sense if she's the acting superior

Thanks for the clarification!

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='05 June 2010 - 09:26 PM' timestamp='1275787608' post='2124349']
Currently, yes, the superior at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery is a Benedictine, and she would receive any vows made by sisters in the monastery.



I'm sure that the reasons for an apostolic administrator being appointed for a religious community varies, but essentially, it's someone chosen from outside of the community itself by the Holy See or the local diocese to act as the superior of a community for a period of time. On a day to day basis I'm pretty sure their role is the same as that of an abbess or other superior.
[/quote]

Forgive me for my ignorance in asking this question but why is a Benedictine appointed as an acting superior over a Poor Clare monastery? (Instead of a fellow Poor Clare?)

I apologize if this questions comes off as anything other than innocent curiosity -- by no means was that my intent. I'm just not familiar at all with contemplative monastic life. I find the inner workings rather interesting.

[truthfinder]

Well, right now OLAM is still without a vicar (as far as I know). The apostolic administrator is to help them discern the direction of the community and allow them to prayerfully elect another vicar. I think I've gotten this right. Maybe it's good that a Benedictine is the administrator. She may be able to better point out the characteristics of the community as an outsider.

[zunshynn]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='05 June 2010 - 07:48 PM' timestamp='1275788892' post='2124365']
Forgive me for my ignorance in asking this question but why is a Benedictine appointed as an acting superior over a Poor Clare monastery? (Instead of a fellow Poor Clare?)

I apologize if this questions comes off as anything other than innocent curiosity -- by no means was that my intent. I'm just not familiar at all with contemplative monastic life. I find the inner workings rather interesting.
[/quote]

I'm not exactly sure why she was appointed. I do know that they currently also have a formator/novice mistress who is a Poor Clare, a Colettine. I think.

[SponsaChristi]

Pictures of the first investment are up!!!! http://www.olamshrine.com/PhotoGallery.htm

This is so wonderful!
And a beautiful name: Sr. Jeanette Marie of Divine Love !!!!

Edited June 10, 2010 by SponsaChristi

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='SponsaChristi' date='10 June 2010 - 09:55 AM' timestamp='1276181740' post='2126753']
Pictures of the first investment are up!!!! [url="http://www.olamshrine.com/PhotoGallery.htm"]http://www.olamshrin...hotoGallery.htm[/url]

This is so wonderful! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/breakdance.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif[/img]
And a beautiful name: Sr. Jeanette Marie of Divine Love !!!! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Thanks for alerting us to the new pictures!

But, of course, now I have one of my ignorant questions....[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif[/img]

In one picture, it looked like the new novice was wearing a gold ring. Isn't the ring usually given at final profession? Or, do some Orders give the ring sooner? (I do know that Orders vary as to whether the ring is worn on the right or left hand, or whether it is silver or gold, but I thought it was always at Final Profession.)

Thanks!

[Cherie]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='10 June 2010 - 07:30 PM' timestamp='1276212635' post='2126999']
Thanks for alerting us to the new pictures!

But, of course, now I have one of my ignorant questions....[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif[/img]

In one picture, it looked like the new novice was wearing a gold ring. Isn't the ring usually given at final profession? Or, do some Orders give the ring sooner? (I do know that Orders vary as to whether the ring is worn on the right or left hand, or whether it is silver or gold, but I thought it was always at Final Profession.)

Thanks!
[/quote]

Yes, hmm...I see it too, and that is interesting!

I remember Fr. Pablo Straub used to say that in the women's community he founded, they give the ring at First Professions (not Final Professions like most other communities do, if they have a ring at all) because he said, "Once you're married, you're married!" (Of course, as a former temporary professed Sister, I know that canonically that's not 100% accurate, but when a Sister makes her First Profession she does so with the intention of ultimately making her Final Profession, so I see where he's coming from! )

Anyway - anyone who is familiar with the PCPAs know the answer to why the novice is wearing a gold ring on her right hand?

[truthfinder]

Hmmm... I could just be a reflection of light making a rosary ring appear gold, or something to that effect.

[zunshynn]

PCPA solemn profession rings are silver... I think I recall that Sister used to wear a Rosary ring, or a ring that had some other kind of significance to her, I don't remember exactly, but it's not something she was invested with.

Edited June 11, 2010 by zunshynn

[SponsaChristi]

Update - Update - Update

Olam investiture pics are up - so wonderful!!!! http://olamshrine.com/PhotoGallery.htm (2010 Investments)!!!!!

[laetitia crucis]

I really like their scrolls.

[linnie]

Am I just confused??? It looks like the sister doing the haircutting is dressed in a Benedictine habit.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='linnie' date='28 June 2010 - 02:55 PM' timestamp='1277754954' post='2135422']
Am I just confused??? It looks like the sister doing the haircutting is dressed in a Benedictine habit.
[/quote]

Right now, a Benedictine has been temporarily appointed the Apostolic Administrator for the communtiy. As I understand it (which I might not!), she is essentially an "Acting Superior." If you read back through to the beginning of this thread, it gives an explanation.

[linnie]

I'm just nosy I guess. I don't understand why the AA wouldn't be a member of the same order, even if from a different monastery or convent.

[DameAgnes]

[quote name='linnie' date='29 June 2010 - 12:59 PM' timestamp='1277830773' post='2135789']
I'm just nosy I guess. I don't understand why the AA wouldn't be a member of the same order, even if from a different monastery or convent.
[/quote]

Perhaps because the AA is a woman of singular gifts that will be useful to her Sisters in Christ, regardless of order? And because coming from a different order allows a fresh perspective because she is not another Franciscan, who might be inclined to (intentionally or not) influence the monastery as to what SHE thinks "Franciscans" should be?

In Christ we are to cling to nothing but him, and that includes over-clinging to our own sense of identity. This thread is a microcosm of that, as we see in the difficulty people are having in getting over the spiritual "identity" of the AA. Since we do not know why the community has an AA in place at this moment, it could well be that a Benedictine (or Carmelite, Dominican) has purposely been brought in to administer specifically so that the Franciscan sisters could forge strength into their Franciscanism, on their own.

I happen to think there is something really good about a Benedictine being there. Benedict was the founder of Western monasticism; who better to help a monastery that is getting back on its feet after the retirement of so strong a personality as Mother Angelica, than a Benedictine? Benedictines have had many prominent Abbesses and Abbots; they know how to transition away from them.

Curiosity is natural, but nosiness is not a virtue. Rather than fretting too much about why the AA is "not a Franciscan" just pray for them all. As Benedictines take a vow of stability to their houses, it cannot be easy for this Benedictine to be there; even with the sisterly bonds of consecrated life, she must feel very lonely there, and long for her house and her own community. And the Poor Clares are probably very grateful to have her, so they can simply keep to prayer, for the sake of their own community, but they likely long for this season of transition to move on.

[osapientia]

[quote name='DameAgnes' date='29 June 2010 - 03:11 PM' timestamp='1277835064' post='2135809']
As Benedictines take a vow of stability to their houses, it cannot be easy for this Benedictine to be there; even with the sisterly bonds of consecrated life, she must feel very lonely there, and long for her house and her own community. And the Poor Clares are probably very grateful to have her, so they can simply keep to prayer, for the sake of their own community, but they likely long for this season of transition to move on.
[/quote]
This reminds me of how St. Clare is told of being so out of place in a Benedictine house after she first joined with St. Francis. It wasn't until she was taken to San Damiano that she could be at home. This Benedictine nun is doing a beautiful service to her sisters in Christ and I'm sure that they are bringing beauty into her life as well.

Dame Agnes, I think you made really wise points in your post. Thanks.

Pax,
Osap

[linnie]

[quote name='DameAgnes' date='29 June 2010 - 01:11 PM' timestamp='1277835064' post='2135809']
Perhaps because the AA is a woman of singular gifts that will be useful to her Sisters in Christ, regardless of order? And because coming from a different order allows a fresh perspective because she is not another Franciscan, who might be inclined to (intentionally or not) influence the monastery as to what SHE thinks "Franciscans" should be?

In Christ we are to cling to nothing but him, and that includes over-clinging to our own sense of identity. This thread is a microcosm of that, as we see in the difficulty people are having in getting over the spiritual "identity" of the AA. Since we do not know why the community has an AA in place at this moment, it could well be that a Benedictine (or Carmelite, Dominican) has purposely been brought in to administer specifically so that the Franciscan sisters could forge strength into their Franciscanism, on their own.

I happen to think there is something really good about a Benedictine being there. Benedict was the founder of Western monasticism; who better to help a monastery that is getting back on its feet after the retirement of so strong a personality as Mother Angelica, than a Benedictine? Benedictines have had many prominent Abbesses and Abbots; they know how to transition away from them.

Curiosity is natural, but nosiness is not a virtue. Rather than fretting too much about why the AA is "not a Franciscan" just pray for them all. As Benedictines take a vow of stability to their houses, it cannot be easy for this Benedictine to be there; even with the sisterly bonds of consecrated life, she must feel very lonely there, and long for her house and her own community. And the Poor Clares are probably very grateful to have her, so they can simply keep to prayer, for the sake of their own community, but they likely long for this season of transition to move on.
[/quote]

I'm not fretting and I'm not criticizing. I've just never heard of a member of one order being in a position of leadership for another order. I wish them all the best and all the blessings God has in store for them. As a Benedictine myself, I agree that she can be of immense help and my prayers have always been with all religious. I just didn't realize that these sisters were having difficulties.

[SrBenigna]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='05 June 2010 - 10:09 PM' timestamp='1275790170' post='2124384']
I'm not exactly sure why she was appointed. I do know that they currently also have a formator/novice mistress who is a Poor Clare, a Colettine. I think.
[/quote]


I was just thinking that the picture of the hair cutting (I think?) had a Poor Clare Colettine in it along with the Benedictine and I was wondering what was going on!

I read thru prior posts but what happened to the previous Vicar. Wasn't there a Mother Catherine (if I have her name right?) who was Mother Vicaress or what? Bit confused here!

[Antigonos]

[quote name='SrBenigna' date='30 June 2010 - 01:14 AM' timestamp='1277849655' post='2135893']


I read thru prior posts but what happened to the previous Vicar. Wasn't there a Mother Catherine (if I have her name right?) who was Mother Vicaress or what? Bit confused here!
[/quote]

In one of their newsletters, I remember seeing a notice that both the old and the new Vicar were given "sabbaticals" [in Rome, IIRC?] while the community straightened itself out. Mother Angelica was designated Abbess Emeritus, but of course she isn't in any state to take any active charge of the community. One has the feeling that the differences in viewpoint between the two Vicars were very considerable, and caused not a few problems. Hope that bringing in an objective outsider helps.