The Ppc

[vee]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='11 July 2010 - 05:29 PM' timestamp='1278887393' post='2141327']
Wow Vee8, you Carmelites are hard core! I would have simply asked the community to respect IT's privacy, with maybe a sign if that didn't work.

Are you sure you're not a Jesuit? Soldier of Christ, and all that?

Note: If you intend to bring that with you into cloistered Carmelite life, I'd suggest saving the space in your luggage, because I doubt most Superiors consider high-power water guns to be standard issue for postulants. On the other hand, the Superior might want it to use on you when you get out of line! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/P.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Im sure IT would be sitting by ready with the garden hose and/or a bucket of water to counter any attack! To be a real soldier of Christ I could fill it with holy water You know just to make sure everyone is adequately blessed As for taking a water gun to the convent I know that if I did they, as you said, wouldn't hesitate to turn it on me! That's why in real life I wouldn't take it buuuuut at the PPC .....

[Indwelling Trinity]

[quote name='JTheresa' date='07 July 2010 - 09:44 PM' timestamp='1278549862' post='2139118']
Finally!! I found a decent picture of a cell:

[img]http://www.carmelslc.org/pk3bu.jpg[/img]

It's just missing a desk.
[/quote]


ahhh........... Home Sweet Home!

[Indwelling Trinity]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='09 July 2010 - 09:51 AM' timestamp='1278679873' post='2139823']
St. Teresa of the Andes actually died of [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhus"]typhus[/url].

And Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity had complications from [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addison%27s_disease"]Addison's Disease[/url]--a very painful illness to which there was no cure in the early 20th century. As you can see in her later pictures before she passed, she lost so much weight.

Before:
[img]http://www.stl-ocds.org/podcast/images/elizabeth2.jpg[/img]

After:

[img]http://feastofsaints.com/eliztrinity1.jpg[/img]


[/quote]

My Big Sister!

[vee]

We at the PPC have nowhere to eat. . This may not be a problem for the Dominicans who are busy reading but I at least need to read and eat so it's refectory design time
Speaking of Dominicans we have this and btw MM those are the Nashville Dominicans For more pics of their motherhouse see here http://nashvilledominican.org/Community/Motherhouse_Tour

[img]http://nashvilledominican.org/img/copyimg/images/mht_Refectory_A.gif[/img]

Edited July 13, 2010 by vee8

[vee]

Some Benedictines in England
[img]http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/uploads/images/p17_nuns%20eating%231%23.jpg[/img]

The article I got the pic from
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=83893

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='vee8' date='13 July 2010 - 07:17 PM' timestamp='1279063072' post='2142251']
We at the PPC have nowhere to eat. . This may not be a problem for the Dominicans who are busy reading but I at least need to read and eat so it's refectory design time
Speaking of Dominicans we have this and btw MM those are the Nashville Dominicans For more pics of their motherhouse see here http://nashvilledominican.org/Community/Motherhouse_Tour

[img]http://nashvilledominican.org/img/copyimg/images/mht_Refectory_A.gif[/img]
[/quote]



LOVE IT!

You know, I never thought I'd go for a big community, but after watching [i]Beloved[/i], and seeing how close all the Sisters are despite the size of the order, I realized that it doesn't matter the size. It's all about serving God.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

Looking at the wood floor of the Dominican's refectory reminded me that I was going to suggest that all the floors in the Monastery be wood, except maybe for a few places where stone would be more appropriate. No linoleum. It's a way to be beautiful and simple. I like the Domicans wood floor, tables, and chairs.

However, the Dominican's refectory is a pretty stark white. Even some wood paneling at the windows would help make it look warmer. I'm not saying there should be a lot of "stuff" in the refectory--it should still be basically simple, if only because that makes it easier to keep clean. But I like the fact that the light fixtures in the Benedictine refectory are just a little different. What about a few plants in the refectory? In terms of decorating the walls, I think we may already be overrun with paintings and statues already. As much as I like St. Thomas, I can see someone suggesting that we put the all pictures of St. Thomas that didn't fit in the library onto the walls of the refectory. (My "secret" plan is that if someone tries to fill the library with pictures of St. Thomas, or plaster busts, one day everyone will find a different picture of St. Thomas in her cell. Vee8 gets the picture where St. Thomas is older, and doesn't look his best. (It will help remind her that it's going to happen to her, too, someday.) Note: Your pictures of libraries are gorgeous--I love them. But, they are way too big for the size of our community, and unfortunately they aren't practical. Gorgeous, but cold and damp. And, as much as I love books, I feel the chapel should be larger than the library.

I confess that I am not a fan of "kitsch," so if there are too many plastic statues around, I may be more "accidentally clumsy" than I naturally am already. I'd rather have a plain side table than one with a plastic blinking lighted bleeding heart of Jesus. I feel as if Jesus and Mary deserve better--at minimum they deserve a home in simple good taste. So the pink and blue, Virgin Mary night-lights in everyone's cell are a no-go. They use up too much electricity anyway. If someone is concerned about finding her way to the bathroom at night, she can use a plain, wind-up, no-battery-needed flashlight like I use at home. (LL Bean catalog) [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif[/img]

I've been busy with other projects the past couple of weeks, but with any luck I will have some time soon to spend looking at pictures on the Internet. Since I'm not a decorator or artist, I have a hard time creating a beautiful room in my head and describing it well. But, I can recognize one if I see a picture. So, I can make some positive suggestions, and you can make changes to my ideas for a change.

[vee]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='13 July 2010 - 09:51 PM' timestamp='1279075874' post='2142339']

(My "secret" plan is that if someone tries to fill the library with pictures of St. Thomas, or plaster busts, one day everyone will find a different picture of St. Thomas in her cell. Vee8 gets the picture where St. Thomas is older, and doesn't look his best. (It will help remind her that it's going to happen to her, too, someday.)

I confess that I am not a fan of "kitsch," so if there are too many plastic statues around, I may be more "accidentally clumsy" than I naturally am already. I'd rather have a plain side table than one with a plastic blinking lighted bleeding heart of Jesus. I feel as if Jesus and Mary deserve better--at minimum they deserve a home in simple good taste. So the pink and blue, Virgin Mary night-lights in everyone's cell are a no-go. They use up too much electricity anyway. If someone is concerned about finding her way to the bathroom at night, she can use a plain, wind-up, no-battery-needed flashlight like I use at home. (LL Bean catalog) [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif[/img]

[/quote]

if that painting of Thomas ends up in my cell you're getting St Jerome! i might sneak in a St Therese too Its not his age thats the problem with that pic it's his expression!
Yes to wood and stone floors, no to kitsch and pink and blue Mary nightlights! On the Nashville Dominicans site I was looking at the pics of the dormitory and thinking I'd need way more privacy. I'm not shy or something like that it's rather the need for quiet time alone for prayer, so if the PPC has dorms you won't find me living in there! I will be involved in all dorm pillow fights though!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='vee8' date='13 July 2010 - 11:22 PM' timestamp='1279077728' post='2142348']
On the Nashville Dominicans site I was looking at the pics of the dormitory and thinking I'd need way more privacy. I'm not shy or something like that it's rather the need for quiet time alone for prayer, so if the PPC has dorms you won't find me living in there! I will be involved in all dorm pillow fights though!
[/quote]

That's a downside for me too. I like my room to retreat to and have silence. Hopefully, they have rules in the postulant dormitories that allow for silence so one can meditate and pray.

[JTheresa]

IgnatiusofLoyola's personal chapel ( maybe a little smaller )

[img]http://images.travelpod.com/users/chickensafloat/carribean_tour.1172400180.convent_of_st_jerome.jpg[/img]

The Convent of Saint Jerome's main chapel.


Might still be a little too grand for a convent.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='JTheresa' date='14 July 2010 - 07:49 AM' timestamp='1279111749' post='2142466']
IgnatiusofLoyola's personal chapel ( maybe a little smaller )

[img]http://images.travelpod.com/users/chickensafloat/carribean_tour.1172400180.convent_of_st_jerome.jpg[/img]

The Convent of Saint Jerome's main chapel.

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/drool.gif[/img]
Might still be a little too grand for a convent. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Wow! That is gorgeous! Are those stairs leading up to the altar? And, I love the ceiling.

I'm definitely having to spend some time this weekend looking at pictures. I do love old buildings. Perhaps our convent can take over an older convent (although in the U.S., that limits us). But, in the Eastern U.S., maybe we could find something a few hundred years old.

I'd been thinking modern (without being stark or utilitarian) with a lot of the beauty coming from our physical surroundings. But, I need to try out some different ideas, too.

For example, for our refectory, the dining halls of a number of older universities in the U.S. would be lovely. (That's why I need all of you. I haven't visited a lot of (well, any) convents, so my examples of lovely buildings tend to be secular.)

Also, this gives me some ideas for the library. For example, the stacks where we keep the books in the library might be a little more modern (with temperature, humidity controls, etc.)--although with wood floors and bookshelves--we can have a lovely reading reading room with comfortable chairs/desks/tables (but not so comfortable that we fall asleep!)

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='13 July 2010 - 10:25 PM' timestamp='1279077911' post='2142350']
That's a downside for me too. I like my room to retreat to and have silence. Hopefully, they have rules in the postulant dormitories that allow for silence so one can meditate and pray.
[/quote]

Mater--You're thinking in terms of visiting the Nashville Dominicans, so the dormitories are a real issue for you, and certainly something to ask about. Although, I think I have read somewhere about "study hall" for postulants. Also, I'm pretty sure (like most Orders) there is "grand silence" after the final prayers of the night. I think prayers finish early enough that Sisters have time to study, prepare lessons, etc. before "lights out." I'm sure you've already read the daily horarium on the Web site so you know this. Certainly, despite the lack of privacy, the postulant's dormitory is probably much quieter than any dorm! No IPods, TVs, stereos, etc.

From what I have read, it doesn't sound as if most monasteries in the U.S. have dormitories, that even the novitiate has cells. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) However, the Motherhouse of the Nashville Dominicans used to be their boarding school (or at least parts of it were). And, when you look at the ND's Web site, it explains that the dormitories are in one of the oldest parts of the building.

Somehow, the dormitories at Nashville must work out, because, for example, the postulants typically attend Aquinas college, run by the Sisters--either to get their first degree, or, if they already have a teaching certificate, to take classes in how to teach "the Dominican way." For the novice year they don't attend school outside the Motherhouse. Then, after first profession, a Sister might go back to school to complete her degree, or, if she already has her teaching certificate, might do some teaching. It wasn't clear from the Web site how many years you might live in a dormitory.

However, even if dormitories work for others, I would have a very hard time living in a dormitory like the one the Nashville Dominicans have. But, everyone is different.

[krissylou]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='13 July 2010 - 10:51 PM' timestamp='1279075874' post='2142339']
However, the Dominican's refectory is a pretty stark white. Even some wood paneling at the windows would help make it look warmer. I'm not saying there should be a lot of "stuff" in the refectory--it should still be basically simple, if only because that makes it easier to keep clean. But I like the fact that the light fixtures in the Benedictine refectory are just a little different. What about a few plants in the refectory? In terms of decorating the walls, I think we may already be overrun with paintings and statues already. As much as I like St. Thomas, I can see someone suggesting that we put the all pictures of St. Thomas that didn't fit in the library onto the walls of the refectory. (My "secret" plan is that if someone tries to fill the library with pictures of St. Thomas, or plaster busts, one day everyone will find a different picture of St. Thomas in her cell. Vee8 gets the picture where St. Thomas is older, and doesn't look his best. (It will help remind her that it's going to happen to her, too, someday.) Note: Your pictures of libraries are gorgeous--I love them. But, they are way too big for the size of our community, and unfortunately they aren't practical. Gorgeous, but cold and damp. And, as much as I love books, I feel the chapel should be larger than the library.

[/quote]

I bow to your expertise on all things library-related ... but I do consider it kind of hilarious how much you're zooming in on being "practical" when this is all entirely imaginary.

Definite ix-nay on the plastic blinking lighted bleeding hearts of Jesus.

[TeresaBenedicta]

I've always wondering about the whole dormitory-style living vs. individual cells. I suppose it wouldn't really matter all that much to me-- it would depend on how much time was scheduled to be in your sleeping area. But I would imagine that if there were no "cells", there wouldn't be any time scheduled specifically for being in there and not sleeping.

At school I spent one year sharing a room and two years in a suite-style dorm, which let me have my own room. But in both cases, I rarely spent time in my room lest to sleep. Same here at home. I'm just never in there anyways. So, I suppose if I had dormitory-style living, I wouldn't be too bothered by it, because it would simply be the place I sleep. I'd pray, study, eat, etc elsewhere. And that's fine with me too.

[Hilde]

I personally think I would benefit from and enjoy a humble individual cell for solitude.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Hilde' date='14 July 2010 - 12:40 PM' timestamp='1279129204' post='2142589']
I personally think I would benefit from and enjoy a humble individual cell for solitude.
[/quote]

I feel the same way. Plus, the idea of not having possession is attractive to me. If you don't own a lot of "stuff" your cell doesn't get messy. I would definitely want (and need) a quiet place to be alone even when I'm not sleeping.

FYI to Hilde on another subject--Although the pictures of various chapels we have been posting don't have Viking Boats hanging from the ceiling, the PPC main chapel definitely will have one.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='krissylou' date='14 July 2010 - 12:13 PM' timestamp='1279127586' post='2142574']
I bow to your expertise on all things library-related ... but I do consider it kind of hilarious how much you're zooming in on being "practical" when this is all entirely imaginary.

Definite ix-nay on the plastic blinking lighted bleeding hearts of Jesus. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif[/img]
[/quote]

I've never pretended to make sense (even to myself). However:

--By nature I like to plan things (not everything, though). I don't usually like surprises--maybe because very few surprises in my life have been good ones. Some people like to look at the "big picture." I'm the one who likes to look at the details.

--I enjoy fantasy most if it is as close to real life as possible. Again, I don't pretend that that makes sense. But, it's probably the reason why, when I worked as a writer, I wrote nonfiction, and very detailed nonfiction at that. (But, then again, I wrote about the government, and that often is the biggest fantasy of all!)

--You'll notice that it is mostly the library where I am most thinking of details. Let someone else design the kitchen. I have a Master's in Library Science, where we learned to do things like design libraries. I think that kind of thing is fun, but in real life haven't gotten to do it enough.

But, be yourself, and think about and plan whatever makes you happy to think about. We need both kinds of people--those who think about the forest, and those who make sure that each of the trees in the forest is healthy.

Edited July 14, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[she_who_is_not]

In regard to the Nashville dormitories:
I've stayed in the dormitories while on retreat and will say that once the curtains are pulled around it is actually quite private and cozy. Sisters are not supposed to enter another sister's cell, except in case of emergency. We were asked to keep silence in the dorms and all the retreatants respected the silence. Girls who wanted to converse were allowed to stay in the parlor. I only had two complaints. One, the young lady next to me went to shower after lights out and left her lamp on. The white curtains amplify the light and I found it difficult to fall asleep. Also, the beds are all connected, so if a sleeper at the head of the row turns in her sleep the beds shake all the way down. It's kind of amusing for two nights, but I think it would become a real mortification after two years.

[ksterling]

The dorm situation at the NDs is one of the reasons I worry that I am too old for this. Despite my very best intentions, I don't think I could ever adjust to that.

[sistersintigo]

While looking for something completely different online,
I was surprised by a real estate listing for a property for sale in Cragmoor, New York.
A secluded hill/mountain estate that started out as a one-family retreat. Then, a fledgling congregation got hold of the estate and
attached a dormitory to the main house....before the congregation itself died out.
The group was known as "Daughters of Mary, Health of the Sick." Completely unfamiliar to me.
And this whole thing is now vacant and on the market, dormitory included.