AveMariaPurissima Posted November 28, 2015 Posted November 28, 2015 7 hours ago, marigold said: Sisters keep writing to me with news about what's happening! I want to go home! I know the feeling!!
marigold Posted November 29, 2015 Author Posted November 29, 2015 It's been a really good weekend with my family. My sister and I have been talking about the fact that my dad isn't getting any younger, and we had the idea to sit him down in front of her camera and record his life memories. We just finished the first session, which was his early childhood. It took a good two hours and included an unexpected amount of crying from all of us. I feel so happy and fulfilled when I'm doing stuff like this. Our family has always been very 'hands-on' and it's difficult to feel that I'm ever away from them in spirit, even when I've been travelling and living elsewhere. When I was younger, I hoped to be able to break those bonds so that I could be free for Christ alone. Now I am not so sure that it's something for me to solve. I try to let Christ decide what he wants to bring out of the situation. It's not easy living in that tension between the pull of natural family, and the pull of monastic family, but I know that if one of them has to be sacrificed, it can't be me making the choice. I've tried and failed too many times.
marigold Posted December 10, 2015 Author Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) For those interested in the recent conversation about life vows for Orthodox and Eastern Catholics.... Yesterday a friend emailed me a link to this documentary and I've just watched it. On the whole I found it quite intense and moving. It follows a young lady in the lead-up to her tonsure, the service itself, and immediately afterwards. There are some qualifications that I'd like to make, after a bit of thought, but it won my heart just for the tonsure service alone. It's so precious and meaningful to me. I lost it at that point! So here you go: Theodora the Sinner. https://vimeo.com/108579595 Edited December 10, 2015 by marigold
MarysLittleFlower Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) 50 minutes ago, marigold said: For those interested in the recent conversation about life vows for Orthodox and Eastern Catholics.... Yesterday a friend emailed me a link to this documentary and I've just watched it. On the whole I found it quite intense and moving. It follows a young lady in the lead-up to her tonsure, the service itself, and immediately afterwards. There are some qualifications that I'd like to make, after a bit of thought, but it won my heart just for the tonsure service alone. It's so precious and meaningful to me. I lost it at that point! So here you go: Theodora the Sinner. https://vimeo.com/108579595 She chose such a humble name! I can't watch it on my phone but it sounds really neat. I haven't really watched videos on Eastern monasticism. As I understand she is Romanian? Out of curiosity is she Catholic or Orthodox? I'd like to learn more about the tonsure. I'm actually Eastern Catholic but my rite doesn't even exist in my country... But I like learning about it. If I ever join a Latin community I'd need permission to do it. But the East has a beautiful tradition of monasticism too and something I'd like to consider. I'm sure the tonsure must have been moving for you to watch! Edited December 10, 2015 by MarysLittleFlower
marigold Posted December 10, 2015 Author Posted December 10, 2015 2 hours ago, MarysLittleFlower said: She chose such a humble name! I can't watch it on my phone but it sounds really neat. I haven't really watched videos on Eastern monasticism. As I understand she is Romanian? Out of curiosity is she Catholic or Orthodox? I'd like to learn more about the tonsure. I'm actually Eastern Catholic but my rite doesn't even exist in my country... But I like learning about it. If I ever join a Latin community I'd need permission to do it. But the East has a beautiful tradition of monasticism too and something I'd like to consider. I'm sure the tonsure must have been moving for you to watch! Yes, very moving! And yes, it's Orthodox. Sister Theodora is a member of the largest monastery in Romania, with 450 nuns, which inevitably influences the way the tonsure happens (e.g. the 'little mother' she is assigned to help her through the tonsure is a sister she doesn't know very well at first). One of the other things that stood out for me was the very spousal and almost sensual (hesitating to use that word) focus which this community has on the tonsure of its nuns; interesting and moving, but not something I'd encountered before. And I've never heard of the hair being cut in a separate ceremony after the tonsure; this is definitely a 'Latinism' whether one views that positively or negatively. I did actually think of you while I was watching it, precisely because it's so romantic, and intensely, almost stiflingly focused on this moment of dedication forever to Christ. I knew you were Eastern Catholic but wasn't sure how much you knew about it / had ever practiced? I think you might enjoy it
MarysLittleFlower Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Interesting! Wow I can't imagine a monastery with 450 nuns! Im almost surprised about the spousal element of it because I'm so used to it with Latin orders but not really in the East in general, as a way to describe ones relationship with Christ. I wonder how this community came to have this. Regarding Eastern Catholicism, I've been to Divine Liturgy but in a different rite than mine. I think my rite tends to be very Byzantine in style, that would be interesting to see. I also read about the Eastern Catholic community of Christ the Bridegroom because they are more well known in North America. I am somewhat familiar with the Liturgy but not too much with monasticism.
NadaTeTurbe Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Marigold, can you give me the name of the monastery ? We're planning a trip in Eastern Europe with a friend, and I very much want to go to Romania, it would be interesting to see the office in this monastery (if we can of course). And thank you for posting. It was very moving.
marigold Posted December 11, 2015 Author Posted December 11, 2015 3 hours ago, NadaTeTurbe said: Marigold, can you give me the name of the monastery ? We're planning a trip in Eastern Europe with a friend, and I very much want to go to Romania, it would be interesting to see the office in this monastery (if we can of course). And thank you for posting. It was very moving. Varatec! And it's my pleasure! 4 hours ago, MarysLittleFlower said: Interesting! Wow I can't imagine a monastery with 450 nuns! Im almost surprised about the spousal element of it because I'm so used to it with Latin orders but not really in the East in general, as a way to describe ones relationship with Christ. I wonder how this community came to have this. Regarding Eastern Catholicism, I've been to Divine Liturgy but in a different rite than mine. I think my rite tends to be very Byzantine in style, that would be interesting to see. I also read about the Eastern Catholic community of Christ the Bridegroom because they are more well known in North America. I am somewhat familiar with the Liturgy but not too much with monasticism. Oh, if you're near the 'Bridegroomers' you must visit them! They are so lovely! And they are growing into quite the little army - not 450 of them yet, but doubled since I last saw them
marigold Posted December 18, 2015 Author Posted December 18, 2015 By your prayers, I have a paperwork interview on Christmas Eve, and 1-2 weeks after that, I should be free to go home to the monastery.
Mags Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 19 minutes ago, marigold said: By your prayers, I have a paperwork interview on Christmas Eve, and 1-2 weeks after that, I should be free to go home to the monastery. Yay!!
marigold Posted January 2, 2016 Author Posted January 2, 2016 Just wanted to say thanks to you guys on VS for being such a great ongoing part of my life. I'm logging out at the end of this weekend, and going back to the monastery during the coming week, and hopefully not leaving again for a very long time! The evening I get back, I'm going to be lighting some candles at Vespers for various people, and if anybody wants a candle lit for them, now's the time to let me know
A Yearning Heart Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 I haven't been on the Phorum for a good while and just came across your posts. A beautiful journey. The post above on the pull between family and monastic life really resonated deeply (I am so there), and now here you are going back home to the monastery! I'm really happy that everything resolved for you and will keep you in my prayers for the next part of your journey. If you can spare a candle and prayer, I'd be grateful God bless!
NadaTeTurbe Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 Oh Marigold, it's so cool !! I pray everything goes well ! Please light a candle for me and for the conversion of my parents. Love
Mags Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 Thank you Marigold for your prayers and support. I shall be praying for you in the coming days. x
TheresaThoma Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 How exciting! Many prayers as you take this next step!
Spem in alium Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 7 hours ago, marigold said: Just wanted to say thanks to you guys on VS for being such a great ongoing part of my life. I'm logging out at the end of this weekend, and going back to the monastery during the coming week, and hopefully not leaving again for a very long time! The evening I get back, I'm going to be lighting some candles at Vespers for various people, and if anybody wants a candle lit for them, now's the time to let me know Ahhh this is the best! Know you're in my prayers always. Please do light a candle for me and my family.
Feankie Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 We are going to miss you, Marigold. But I'm so excited for you as well. Please light a candle that I might be accepted as a Dame in Obedience in the Order of Malta
Charbel Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 This is wonderful marigold! I will continue to pray for you too. Also, please don't waste a candle on me, but I only ask that you think of me at least once a year I am going to miss you a lot!
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