ask da nun

[materdei]

I was just checking out your boards and I noticed alot of you have questions. So I thought I would create a board where you could maybe get some answers. I have been living religious life for 5 years. So if you feel comfortable ask away, and I will try my darndest to answer you! :thinking:

[Guest ambrose]

[quote name='materdei' date='May 2 2005, 07:03 PM'] I was just checking out your boards and I noticed alot of you have questions. So I thought I would create a board where you could maybe get some answers. I have been living religious life for 5 years. So if you feel comfortable ask away, and I will try my darndest to answer you! :thinking: [/quote]
Hello materdei,

Which religious order do you belong to? Are you a contemplative? I have lots of questions about monasticism and contemplative prayer!!

C'mon girls, let's talk to the sister. She can help some of us understand the complexities of religious life that goes beyond romantic images and desires!!

[materdei]

I am in a semi-contemplative order. We are the Daughters of St. Joseph, our spirituality is carmelite, though we are not cloistered. Our mode of life is more monastic than conventual as far as the way we pray, the manner in which we eat, our furniture, and how our convent is set up.
What are your questions on contemplative prayer?

[MichaelFilo]

I'd like to ask:

Do you wear your habit? Do the religious still see a need to wear the habit?

God bless,
Mikey

[materdei]

Mikey,
Great question!
We are currently waiting on the bishops permission to wear the traditional carmelite habit (brown wool blend, ankle length, wide wrist length cuffs, brown scapular, black veil, etc.)
The habit is [b][u]WAY [/u][/b]important!! If religious are to be a sign of heaven how can thaey if no one can see it?
I have to go now the bell is ringing for supper I will get back with you on this subject! I LOVE the habit!!!

[MichaelFilo]

I have alot of issues surrounding the habit. But I'll keep those aside for my own research. However, some require personal experience, not rules and regulations from the Church.

The first : Why is a bishop not allowing you to wear a habit. That seems to make no sense.

The second: Why do some not wear their habit, even with the option given? I hope to wear my cassok (sp?) everyday when I become a priest. I don't see why a religious figure would not... so you maybe able to give more insight. Although, you seem to like the habit too much to give not wearing one much thought. Why can't all nuns be like you...

God bless,
Mikey

[ForHimAlone]

[quote name='materdei' date='May 5 2005, 05:58 PM'] Mikey,
Great question!
We are currently waiting on the bishops permission to wear the traditional carmelite habit (brown wool blend, ankle length, wide wrist length cuffs, brown scapular, black veil, etc.)
The habit is [b][u]WAY [/u][/b]important!! If religious are to be a sign of heaven how can thaey if no one can see it?
I have to go now the bell is ringing for supper I will get back with you on this subject! I LOVE the habit!!! [/quote]
That is wonderful! The first time I saw the traditional Carmelite habit.... ah, it was love at first sight! I hope everything goes well with attaining permission from your bishop! Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Kathleen

[the_rev]

What bishop must give his permission?

[materdei]

The reason we have to await the bishops permission is that we are a brand new community (only about 2 yrs old) and so we have to prove to the bishop that we are a viable community which really means we have to [u]grow.[/u] So right now we wear a "uniform" (a skirt and blouse deal)- holy patience right?! I was in another religious community that wore the full habit but ended up leaving to help with this new gem of the Holy Spirit. Anyhoo, Mikey I think that is awesome that you want to wear your cassock everyday- priests in cassocks say so much! ya know?
I think alot of religious are anti-habit because they are afraid that the habit defines them. I have heard so may older religious say that they don't [i]need[/i] the habit to be a nun, and while that is sort of true I don't think it is the point. Also many religious see religious life as a career (which makes me ill :ill: ) instead of a love relationship, and so the habit has no meaning to them because habits are said to be the wedding dress of religious. Habits/cassocks or clerics are important because like I said: how can we be signs without them? When you see a religious you are supposed to be reminded of heaven and how it is you will be living one day. Religious life is all about starting heaven early, which is why: they are virginal "those in heaven are not given in marriage", they do night vigils and fasting- in heaven there is no need for sleep or food even though we have the ability to eat and such- resurrected Christ, poverty- all things will pass away. Similarly with priests- they are to be beacons in the world- other Christs, which is why we need to be able to [i]see[/i] them.
Think about it secularly: every job or career has a uniform, particularly those in the medical field or safety departments (doctors, nurses, police officers, and firemen, etc.). Why? So when we need aid or assistance we can recognize who can help us. This is even more true in the Church! Priests and Nuns need to be clearly visible to the world. We as human beings need tangible reminders especially of the sacred, which is why the Catholic Church is so rich- full signs and symbols. I hope all that made sense if not, let me knoe and I will try and clarify.

[the_rev]

You didn't answer my question.

[MichaelFilo]

That was rather interesting. Thank you very much.

God bless,
Mikey

[materdei]

Rev,
Bishop Sam Jacobs of the diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
He is an [u]awesome[/u] bishop, totally on fire for the Lord!!!!

[MichaelFilo]

Another question comes to mind, as a nun, how much of a role do you think you play in shaping people's religious lives. In olden days I suspect all the religious had a hand in teaching the Faithful, but I don't much of that anymore. Of course, their oppertunities have dropped as well, with less and less religious teaching at Catholic schools.

God bless,
Mikey

[the_rev]

What is the website to your order, and who is your foundress?

[m2thebizzax]

Hello everyone! Yes, I recognize a bunch of you from Onerock. Phil, congraduations on your acceptance!! I am really excited for you! God Bless!!

~*~ Mary ~*~

[materdei]

I'm so sorry for not getting back to you on your questions.
I have been in the process of re-vamping our web-site and I have just been really pressed withfitting that in with the rest of religious life (prayers, community, apostolate, etc.)
Rev, our web address is www.daughtersofstjoseph.com

Mikey, I definitely think nuns/sisters have huge impacts in peoples spiritual lives. The question is how great of an impact and for good, bad, or indifferent. If you meet a sister who is completely and totally in love with Jesus and His Church and expresses that love in word and example it draws people...and they in turn want what they see in her. On the other hand if you are only exposed to religious who are dissatisfied in their vocation and angry with the Church it teaches cafeteria catholicism and mediocrity to the faithful. If a religious is visible and in love ALL she comes into contact with will be impacted!

[Chorusgirl]

[quote name='materdei' date='May 5 2005, 05:58 PM'] Mikey,
Great question!
We are currently waiting on the bishops permission to wear the traditional carmelite habit (brown wool blend, ankle length, wide wrist length cuffs, brown scapular, black veil, etc.)
The habit is [b][u]WAY [/u][/b]important!! If religious are to be a sign of heaven how can thaey if no one can see it?
I have to go now the bell is ringing for supper I will get back with you on this subject! I LOVE the habit!!! [/quote]
Hello!! Wow, thats really cool... Tee hee... I really like Habits, I think they are important and just... I really like them.

[Chorusgirl]

[quote name='materdei' date='May 6 2005, 09:45 PM'] The reason we have to await the bishops permission is that we are a brand new community (only about 2 yrs old) and so we have to prove to the bishop that we are a viable community which really means we have to [u]grow.[/u] So right now we wear a "uniform" (a skirt and blouse deal)- holy patience right?! I was in another religious community that wore the full habit but ended up leaving to help with this new gem of the Holy Spirit. Anyhoo, Mikey I think that is awesome that you want to wear your cassock everyday- priests in cassocks say so much! ya know?
I think alot of religious are anti-habit because they are afraid that the habit defines them. I have heard so may older religious say that they don't [i]need[/i] the habit to be a nun, and while that is sort of true I don't think it is the point. Also many religious see religious life as a career (which makes me ill :ill: ) instead of a love relationship, and so the habit has no meaning to them because habits are said to be the wedding dress of religious. Habits/cassocks or clerics are important because like I said: how can we be signs without them? When you see a religious you are supposed to be reminded of heaven and how it is you will be living one day. Religious life is all about starting heaven early, which is why: they are virginal "those in heaven are not given in marriage", they do night vigils and fasting- in heaven there is no need for sleep or food even though we have the ability to eat and such- resurrected Christ, poverty- all things will pass away. Similarly with priests- they are to be beacons in the world- other Christs, which is why we need to be able to [i]see[/i] them.
Think about it secularly: every job or career has a uniform, particularly those in the medical field or safety departments (doctors, nurses, police officers, and firemen, etc.). Why? So when we need aid or assistance we can recognize who can help us. This is even more true in the Church! Priests and Nuns need to be clearly visible to the world. We as human beings need tangible reminders especially of the sacred, which is why the Catholic Church is so rich- full signs and symbols. I hope all that made sense if not, let me knoe and I will try and clarify. [/quote]
Hello!! Wow, that was beautifully said!! Thanks SO much for sharing!!

[materdei]

Hey there Marjorie!
Entrance is getting closer and closer for you . I am so excited for you!!!
It has been great IMing with you.

[jezic]

oh i have a question ....

do you get excited for prayer times in chapel?

Cause the way i think right now, i would have trouble staying out of that place. Eventually you just never want to leave so going back would be such a great joy.

*though honestly as a side note, this sort of plays into God's whole nature thing. Maybe i am over thinking it, but truely the Eucharist is special, thus a chapel where it is reserved is also very "special". However, God is equally present in all of creation by his very nature and so you can't ever really be "closer" or "father away" then you are right now. hmm.. that makes a conundrum.

more thoughts later but i feel like i am thinking outloud .... oh wiat, i am doing that *