Bathing Customs In Communities

[maximillion]

We had a strip wash in cold water on a daily basis and were allocated 25cm of hot water in a bath once a week. (Enclosed Contemplative/Sacred Heart order in France), and I am speaking of 1982.

[brandelynmarie]

Oh! Like 25cm of hot water in a tub? I had first read that as 25ml & I thought, well that's not gonna help anything! Did you ever get used to it?

[brandelynmarie]

[quote name='Aya Sophia' timestamp='1317045390' post='2310429']
This "bathing" thread is now as long as a convent bath or shower is short!
[/quote]

And here I was afraid to start it! I figured most responses would be as follows: or even .

[brandelynmarie]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1317026717' post='2310387']

I've never heard of someone taking their bed with them to a convent. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable asking, though, it would be interesting to hear what they would say. I'd have to rent a U-Haul in order to get it to Michigan.
[/quote]


I highly doubt a 4-poster cherry wood queen-sized bed would be an acceptable bring-along item . However I thought maybe my sister would like it.

[Aya Sophia]

I'm enjoying see all the data coming in - frankly, am afraid to add mine for fear of putting anyone off! Some things it may just be better not to know before entering!

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Aya Sophia' timestamp='1317062896' post='2310520']
I'm enjoying see all the data coming in - frankly, am afraid to add mine for fear of putting anyone off! Some things it may just be better not to know before entering!
[/quote]

True.

Most of these types of things... I've never even considered asking. In fact... I don't think I really ever asked questions outside of apostolate/charism, save about family and frequency of contact. Everything else? Eh, I'll figure it out eventually! In fact, I'm learning a lot by living with 'em.

[faithcecelia]

My bed was a super-king so wouldn't have been the done thing (though even that would have disapperared in the HUGE cell I had when I first entered!) but I was actually asked to bring my own duvet and pillows. I will be asking if I can do the same here (if, please God, it all works out) as they are special anti-allergy ones.

Actually it was quite funny when I first entererd. My cell was massive, and the bed was a huge iron-framed hospital style bed. I have long legs and could climb onto it okay, but one sister told me she had a little step when she had that cell! Also, the floor was so uneven that while I went to bed against a wall every night, I invariably woke up somewhere in the middle of the room. I managed to resolve that by getting permission to move the furnature round so I could jam it flat against the short wall with my cabinate at one end and a doorstop at the other.

[brandelynmarie]

See? You have that wonderful benefit of being with them! Trust me, whatever bathing customs/practices a community has will have no bearing on my discernment. I tend to have a very inquisitive mind & enjoy reading all of these postings. 'Tis great fun! I'd give you props TB, but I seem to have run out of 'em for the day...funny that.

[brandelynmarie]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1317063301' post='2310524']
My bed was a super-king so wouldn't have been the done thing (though even that would have disapperared in the HUGE cell I had when I first entered!) but I was actually asked to bring my own duvet and pillows. I will be asking if I can do the same here (if, please God, it all works out) as they are special anti-allergy ones.

Actually it was quite funny when I first entererd. My cell was massive, and the bed was a huge iron-framed hospital style bed. I have long legs and could climb onto it okay, but one sister told me she had a little step when she had that cell! Also, the floor was so uneven that while I went to bed against a wall every night, I invariably woke up somewhere in the middle of the room. I managed to resolve that by getting permission to move the furnature round so I could jam it flat against the short wall with my cabinate at one end and a doorstop at the other.
[/quote]

Oh my goodness! A doorstop for the bed?! I guess you never know what you are gonna run into with your cell .

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='brandelynmarie' timestamp='1317062737' post='2310519']


I highly doubt a 4-poster cherry wood queen-sized bed would be an acceptable bring-along item . However I thought maybe my sister would like it.
[/quote]

Well, then your sister would be highly disappointed since my bed is a twin bed with no headboard or footboard.

[GraceUk]

I read not long ago about a new Carmel built in the UK, in Scotland I think where each nun had her own en suite bathroom. I was quite shocked at this as it hardly seemed in keeping with the vow of poverty. I thought maybe I'm old fashioned. I mentioned it to a friend and she thought the same. Nobody expects nuns to live in primitive conditions but there shouldn't be luxuries as a matter of everday living like this I don't think.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='brandelynmarie' timestamp='1317063452' post='2310525']
See? You have that wonderful benefit of being with them! Trust me, whatever bathing customs/practices a community has will have no bearing on my discernment. I tend to have a very inquisitive mind & enjoy reading all of these postings. 'Tis great fun! I'd give you props TB, but I seem to have run out of 'em for the day...funny that.
[/quote]

Again, true! I do have the benefit of being with them. Although, I'd decided and was accepted for entrance for a year before moving in. So it's accidental that I'm learning it as a lay person instead of a religious.

[HopefulBride]

[quote name='GraceUk' timestamp='1317064317' post='2310536']
I read not long ago about a new Carmel built in the UK, in Scotland I think where each nun had her own en suite bathroom. I was quite shocked at this as it hardly seemed in keeping with the vow of poverty. I thought maybe I'm old fashioned. I mentioned it to a friend and she thought the same. Nobody expects nuns to live in primitive conditions but there shouldn't be luxuries as a matter of everday living like this I don't think.
[/quote]

I visited a carmel in the US where the nuns had their bathrooms in suite. They explained why (I think it but I have forgotten) I don't think it is a matter of luxury.

[brandelynmarie]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1317064401' post='2310537']

Again, true! I do have the benefit of being with them. Although, I'd decided and was accepted for entrance for a year before moving in. So it's accidental that I'm learning it as a lay person instead of a religious.
[/quote]

I just think it is so amesome .

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='GraceUk' timestamp='1317064317' post='2310536']
I read not long ago about a new Carmel built in the UK, in Scotland I think where each nun had her own en suite bathroom. I was quite shocked at this as it hardly seemed in keeping with the vow of poverty. I thought maybe I'm old fashioned. I mentioned it to a friend and she thought the same. Nobody expects nuns to live in primitive conditions but there shouldn't be luxuries as a matter of everday living like this I don't think.
[/quote]


My immediate reaction to this was horror. But the community there had given it a lot of thought and decided that a simple ensuite would help them preserve not only silence but also solitude. With a new build, even a Carmel would be expected to have an adequate number of toilets and washing facilities, so I can understand why some have now done this (Malahide in Dublin have as well). I wouldn't be over keen on monasteries that are working perfectly well as they are to be altered, but I can understand the sense with a new build.

[brandelynmarie]

[quote name='GraceUk' timestamp='1317064317' post='2310536']
I read not long ago about a new Carmel built in the UK, in Scotland I think where each nun had her own en suite bathroom. I was quite shocked at this as it hardly seemed in keeping with the vow of poverty. I thought maybe I'm old fashioned. I mentioned it to a friend and she thought the same. Nobody expects nuns to live in primitive conditions but there shouldn't be luxuries as a matter of everday living like this I don't think.
[/quote]

My only thought (if it's a new buidling) is that such an arrangement could be more conducive to "living in the [s]dessert [/s]desert" as Carmelites.

Thanks Faith! I knew you would have a good answer!

Edited September 26, 2011 by brandelynmarie

[HopefulBride]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1317064863' post='2310547']


My immediate reaction to this was horror. But the community there had given it a lot of thought and decided that a simple ensuite would help them preserve not only silence but also solitude. With a new build, even a Carmel would be expected to have an adequate number of toilets and washing facilities, so I can understand why some have now done this (Malahide in Dublin have as well). I wouldn't be over keen on monasteries that are working perfectly well as they are to be altered, but I can understand the sense with a new build.
[/quote]

That's it the solitude.

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='HopefulBride' timestamp='1317065163' post='2310552']

That's it the solitude.
[/quote]

Yes, its something that tends to be harder to find in modern Carmels as much of the work these days involves being with other sisters far more than in the 'old days' when needlework etc would be done in the cell.

[carmenchristi]

We don't have any shower/bathing rules... everyone is responsible for herself. Of course if someone isn't very hygenically consciensious there would be some kind of encouragement/instruction in novitiate as to the european cultural norms of personal cleanliness. Most people are expected to know this when the enter the convent, however.

[dominicansoul]

oh, i forgot to mention that at one dominican convent, there was a time limit, 5 mins to get in and out of a shower. Sometimes the water would NEVER heat up enuff in that short time. Cold showers became common for me... and I mean... bone-chilling cold showers...