Today is a day of much significance. To one of my readers, it is the 7th anniversary of her marriage - congratulations. February 2nd also marks one year since the tragic loss of Janine Lieu and Paul Sanders, both students at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy - my prayers are with their families and for their souls. This second day of the second month is also a special day in the life of the Church. It is both the Feast of the Presentation and the World Day for Consecrated Life. I suppose that the second really grows out of the first. It is the second about which I feel the need to write.
It is rare indeed to see anyone in the consecrated life these days. I can remember almost every instance in which I have seen a nun wearing a veil, let alone a full habit. As my Dad used to say to me, "How could you possibly know if you wanted to be a nun, Nena? You've never seen one." Despite the rare sightings, my heart has jumped with joy (and, at one time in my life, fear) when I have glimpsed the sister in her religious garb. They remind me that God is very real and desperate to be involved in our lives - they are icons of Christ. So, it is with pride and joy that I witness my younger sister wearing the habit of the Fransciscans of Halifax. I confess that it is strange to go for a walk with a fully-habited nun and a double stroller. So odd that our family doctor almost caused a car accident on Quinpool Rd. when she saw the Culshaw girls out for a walk.
I also find that Martha's (Sr. Ilaria's) vocation is a constant source of fascination to those who find out about it: "What? You have a sister who's a NUN??? How old is she?" I often wonder if I answered 63 instead of 23 if people would be any less surprised. The inevitable next question is one of the following:
1. Does she wear a habit?
2. How did your parents take it?
3. Has she always wanted to do this?
4. Is she alright?
5. There are still nuns?
6. What use do they serve?
I provide the requisite answers and try to reassure people that yes, she is happy, of course there are struggles and on and on. I try my best but, in reality, I don't understand what it is to be called to the religious life in the same way that she doesn't know what it is to be called to marriage and family life. We have a good idea of the two lives and can glean more from reading and discussion but the call remains her own and one of great intimacy.
The call of the religious is anathema to what our world stands for and therein lies some of its beauty. The vocation of the "consecrated virgin" (yes, the term still exists and Jacob uses it liberally!) is partly here to remind us what life is really about. They stand as visible reminders of our final destination: eternal life with God. (They're not just a source of free labour in hospitals and schools.)
I think that I am writing this because I can never say this in conversation with people. Eyes usually glaze over, or kids interrupt, or circumstances just don't allow for justification of the consecrated life... But, there she is - my sister wearing a veil and a habit in which she says she feels more comfortable than jeans and a t-shirt. Her vocation (and that of Sr. Teresa) inspire me and intrigue my little Hannah who can't believe that there could possibly be a life where she could always wear a dress, have multiple sisters and not worry about disruptive male siblings. So, on this 2nd of February I thank God that He is still calling and that in the words of Blessed Mother Teresa, "And in the silence of her heart, she hears."
Logistical note: I tried my best to upload this video to the blog but the best I could do is to provide you with a link to a fabulous short video on the cloistered life, far more eloquent than I.
http://www.conversiondiary.com/ (click on "Go take five minutes..." in no.1 of 7 Quick Takes Friday)
It is rare indeed to see anyone in the consecrated life these days. I can remember almost every instance in which I have seen a nun wearing a veil, let alone a full habit. As my Dad used to say to me, "How could you possibly know if you wanted to be a nun, Nena? You've never seen one." Despite the rare sightings, my heart has jumped with joy (and, at one time in my life, fear) when I have glimpsed the sister in her religious garb. They remind me that God is very real and desperate to be involved in our lives - they are icons of Christ. So, it is with pride and joy that I witness my younger sister wearing the habit of the Fransciscans of Halifax. I confess that it is strange to go for a walk with a fully-habited nun and a double stroller. So odd that our family doctor almost caused a car accident on Quinpool Rd. when she saw the Culshaw girls out for a walk.
I also find that Martha's (Sr. Ilaria's) vocation is a constant source of fascination to those who find out about it: "What? You have a sister who's a NUN??? How old is she?" I often wonder if I answered 63 instead of 23 if people would be any less surprised. The inevitable next question is one of the following:
1. Does she wear a habit?
2. How did your parents take it?
3. Has she always wanted to do this?
4. Is she alright?
5. There are still nuns?
6. What use do they serve?
I provide the requisite answers and try to reassure people that yes, she is happy, of course there are struggles and on and on. I try my best but, in reality, I don't understand what it is to be called to the religious life in the same way that she doesn't know what it is to be called to marriage and family life. We have a good idea of the two lives and can glean more from reading and discussion but the call remains her own and one of great intimacy.
The call of the religious is anathema to what our world stands for and therein lies some of its beauty. The vocation of the "consecrated virgin" (yes, the term still exists and Jacob uses it liberally!) is partly here to remind us what life is really about. They stand as visible reminders of our final destination: eternal life with God. (They're not just a source of free labour in hospitals and schools.)
I think that I am writing this because I can never say this in conversation with people. Eyes usually glaze over, or kids interrupt, or circumstances just don't allow for justification of the consecrated life... But, there she is - my sister wearing a veil and a habit in which she says she feels more comfortable than jeans and a t-shirt. Her vocation (and that of Sr. Teresa) inspire me and intrigue my little Hannah who can't believe that there could possibly be a life where she could always wear a dress, have multiple sisters and not worry about disruptive male siblings. So, on this 2nd of February I thank God that He is still calling and that in the words of Blessed Mother Teresa, "And in the silence of her heart, she hears."
Logistical note: I tried my best to upload this video to the blog but the best I could do is to provide you with a link to a fabulous short video on the cloistered life, far more eloquent than I.
http://www.conversiondiary.com/ (click on "Go take five minutes..." in no.1 of 7 Quick Takes Friday)
3 comments:
I have to say that your sister has always been a beautiful young woman, but I've never seen her quite so stunning as the first time I saw her in her habit. It was like seeing a bride on her wedding day.
I'm very grateful that I personally know five women who have entered various communities over the past few years, from the Servants of the Cross to the Missionaries of Charity. Their generosity in answering God's challenging call is a great witness to me, and oddly - strengthens me in my own challenging vocation.
it's the oddest thing, but for the first time ever, since we have been attending the reformed episcopal church, the reaction i get when i tell people M is a nun is reverence and respect, rather than puzzlement or an assumption she is trying to hide from the "real world". (i'm talking compared to people out "in the world", not Catholics since there are so few in tyler i never really met any to get a reaction FROM. but it is really nice the positive reaction that revelation now gets.)
lovely post.
thanks E that was a beautiful gift and wonderfully worded. You explained it perfectly and I thank you for your love and support for our community! We are blessed and humbled to live this life - Pace e bene (peace and all good) Sr. T
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