Extern Sisters

[cathoholic_anonymous]

I didn't know that there were such creatures as extern sisters until I came to Phatmass and read about the PCPAs. I don't know of any monastery or convent in Britain that has externs. I doubt they exist, as we have really suffered for lack of vocations over here.

According to the [url="http://www.walsinghamcommunity.org"]Community of Our Lady of Walsingham[/url], a new order whose special ministry is inspiring people to think and respond to their life's mission, this trend is being reversed - their discussion groups are well attended and more and more young people are turning to religious life. So perhaps the vocation of the extern may be revived.

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1375711' date='Sep 1 2007, 02:14 PM']This is similar to the Chicago Poor Clares. Mother Teresita said they do not have externs anymore, since the new directives for cloistered nuns allows them to do some of the work the externs used to do, but just within the monastery for them, like clean the public chapel and greet visitors, though behind a screen - though after Mass one sister does come out to do something like change the altar linens I believe. And then they also have lay people helping them. I'm not sure whether or not all the PCCs in the Federation of Mary Immaculate decided this, but I'm guessing it's up to each community. I know the Rockford PCCs, not in the federation, definitely have them though.[/quote]
Some extern sisters at the PCCs in Cleveland ([url="http://www.religiouslife.com/w_pccfednmi.phtml"]Federation of Mary Immaculate[/url]) - on [url="http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/?m=200706"]Cardinal Sean's blog[/url]

[url="http://www.poorclarecolettines-cleveland.org/externs.htm"]Extern Sisters, PCCs Cleveland[/url] They have a slightly different habit. The Rockford externs have the same habit as the cloistered I believe though.

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='Sr. Mary Catharine' post='1375480' date='Sep 1 2007, 04:40 AM']At this time, my community isn't accepting extern vocations ... we want just one category of sisters and make use of the legislation of Verbi Sponsa which allows for the cloistered nuns to go out when necessary for the needs of the monastery. We are also blessed to have a volunteer guild who take care of the reception desk, do driving and shopping for us ...

I considered the vocation myself but found that the Lord wanted me in. However, as one of the few drivers in the monastery I do do extern work, also! He's sneaky, yes![/quote]
This also sounds like what the Passionist Nuns in St. Louis do, as they do not have externs either. I know one of the nuns actually went out and got her license, so there would be another driver in case of emergencies, although I believe a few lay people help them most of the time.

[Antoniette]

The Buffalo Carmelites have an extern nun, but probably could use another. The Brooklyn Carmel, 361 Highland Blvd Brooklyn NY 11207-1910, has constitutions which allow for externs, but still being a foundation from Buffalo, I don't think they have one yet so they probably could use the support.

Wish you success in this particular vocation

[Chiquitunga]

Here's a great article on the final profession of one of the Extern Sisters at [url="http://www.carmelitenunsstjoseph.org/Buffalo.htm"]Buffalo Carmel[/url], Sr. Agnes Marie of the Eternal High Priest, OCD [url="http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/359824.html"][i]Deepening Her Walk of Faith[/i][/url]. She was originally cloistered, but volunteered to become an extern. So Buffalo now has two externs, and I know in the past they've had three.

[Saint Therese]

What a beautiful article! Thanks for sharing!

[Stacey]

In England the Liverpool Carmel has externs they had a very nice extern novice, she lived inside, had formation with the cloistered novices, she didn't have to say all seven offices and those she did say she sat in the extern chapel, and St Cecilia's Abbey on the Isle of Wight also have them. There may be others but i am not sure - i think perhaps some of the Carmels do.

[God's love]

Also in England the monasterys that I know that have externs are
Poor clares Arkely
St Cecilla's Benedictine Isle of Wight
Poor clares ellesmere shropshire
Hope this helps