laetitia crucis Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 In November (by some crazy amazing grace of God) I was able to spent two weeks visiting the [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk"]Dominican Sisters of Saint Joseph[/url] in Lymington, England. I've only now just uploaded the pictures from my cell phone (hence, the not-so-fantastic quality -- I don't own a real digital camera) and wanted to share them with you all. To say the least, there's over 200 pictures, of which many are somewhat repetitive. The grounds (and the clouds!) are gorgeous, so I might have gone a [i]little [/i]overboard... (Or maybe it's just in my Asian blood... you know, sometimes we just can't help ourselves! ) Here are just a few of my favorites: The Chapel as morning dawns. [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image152.jpg[/img] The inside of the chapel view from the sanctuary, and from the back. [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image080.jpg[/img] [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image008.jpg[/img] Beautiful Rainbow and Chapel -- it was actually a [b]double[/b] rainbow, but my phone camera didn't pick it up so well! [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image217.jpg[/img] Candid shot taken in mid-morning of Sr Michelle and Sr. Julie [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image038.jpg[/img] Grotto Mary [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image095.jpg[/img] The Priory/Guesthouse (they're connected) from the outside [img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/Image011.jpg[/img] For all the rest, here's [url="http://s802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/DSSJ/?albumview=slideshow"]the slideshow[/url]. The [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk"]Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph[/url] are a relatively new community in England and (so far) only eight Sisters. Like all Dominicans, they "contemplate and share the fruits of contemplation" through various means. Their day is centered around the Holy Mass, Adoration, the chanting of the Divine Office, meditation, and study. Their apostolates flow from this in various ways, such as hosting retreats and days of prayer and catechesis at the Priory; visiting parishes and groups around the country; working with children, youth, and adults; parish missions; pilgrimages; and their annual summer youth camp. Basically, if I had to describe their apostolate in one sentence it would be this: The Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph pass on the fruits of their contemplation by the teaching and preaching of Catholic doctrine by bringing the Extraordinary to the ordinary, whether through formal or informal opportunities. Unlike many of the traditional Dominicans here in the U.S., these Sisters do not teach as schoolteachers (though a few have this background) or nurses (a few have this background, too) -- this is exactly what drew me to them because I've always felt drawn to the Dominican charism, but [i]not [/i]to be a schoolteacher or nurse. While there I was able to pray with the Sisters and experience their apostolates - which was quite beautiful! I think my favorite part of being there was chanting the Divine Office every day. And of course, Compline and the Salve Procession in all it's Dominican glory is always a wonderful thing! I think one of the most striking things about this community is that each Sister is so beautifully distinctive. During my first week there, one of the Sisters said, "When I first entered, an older Sister said to me, 'O.P. doesn't only stand for Order of Preachers, but also Original Package.'" She was talking about her vocation to my friend and I -- and in this she really seemed to emphasize the beauty of [b]becoming more yourself[/b] when you find your vocation. That really spoke to me on many levels. I've heard it before, but I guess seeing it lived by these Sisters right in front of my very eyes.. it just made it all the more real and tangible. It definitely gave me something profound to bring to prayer. Anyhoo, I think I've already written a novel here. I will leave it at that, and if anyone has any questions about them or my visit with them, please feel free to ask! Oh! And if anyone is interested in visiting them, they're having a "Come and See" next month -- February 12 - 14th. Go spend the weekend of Valentine's Day with Jesus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I had such a great desire to "like" this, but then realized that phatmass is NOT facebook! Great pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 [quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='14 January 2010 - 06:25 PM' timestamp='1263507916' post='2037181'] I had such a great desire to "like" this, but then realized that phatmass is NOT facebook! Great pictures! [/quote] I know the feeling!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I was amused by the chapel Mary close, closer, even closer pics and was waiting for one to be extremely close like just her eye. Ive been known to take photos of clouds but I think you might need cloudaholics anonymous.. Great slide show though & Im looking for the like button too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I absolutely [i]love[/i] the chapel, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 [quote name='vee8' date='14 January 2010 - 07:37 PM' timestamp='1263512257' post='2037230'] I was amused by the chapel Mary close, closer, even closer pics and was waiting for one to be extremely close like just her eye. Ive been known to take photos of clouds but I think you might need cloudaholics anonymous.. Great slide show though & Im looking for the like button too. [/quote] Aahahahahaha! I am literally laughing [b]out loud[/b] -- very loudly, in fact! Oh, man! Sooo... I'm not very creative when it comes naming pictures; I just wanted them uploaded ASAP. Haha! And well.. I have been known to take pictures REALLYCLOSE to things... like eyeballs. [sup]And about three days ago I actually deleted two videos I took of the clouds moving extremely fast.... at least, faster than I'd ever seen them. I guess it was really windy. [/sup] Maybe I do need Cloudaholics Anonymous... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeenanParkerII Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Beautiful!! It must have been awesome to spend two weeks there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 [quote name='KeenanParkerII' date='14 January 2010 - 08:43 PM' timestamp='1263516234' post='2037279'] Beautiful!! It must have been awesome to spend two weeks there. [/quote] It totally was! Very peaceful, and a lot of time for personal prayer. If you're ever in England, you should definitely go! The Priory/Chapel is always open for people to come and pray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 [quote name='laetitia crucis' date='14 January 2010 - 06:48 PM' timestamp='1263512920' post='2037236'] Aahahahahaha! I am literally laughing [b]out loud[/b] -- very loudly, in fact! Oh, man! Sooo... I'm not very creative when it comes naming pictures; I just wanted them uploaded ASAP. Haha! And well.. I have been known to take pictures REALLYCLOSE to things... like eyeballs. [sup]And about three days ago I actually deleted two videos I took of the clouds moving extremely fast.... at least, faster than I'd ever seen them. I guess it was really windy. [/sup] Maybe I do need Cloudaholics Anonymous... [/quote] The photo names were fine I was just waiting for Macro Mary thats all . There was something else in the slideshow that had me laughing out loud too... I think it was the bottle of milk photo, or the in case of fire one. Could`ve been both. She`s not a saint but I really like St Therese`s sister Celine because she brought a camera into the monastery. I think at that time cameras were still in their infancy so for her to get one and take it in with her makes me a fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share Posted January 16, 2010 [quote name='vee8' date='15 January 2010 - 08:07 PM' timestamp='1263600461' post='2037979'] The photo names were fine I was just waiting for Macro Mary thats all . There was something else in the slideshow that had me laughing out loud too... I think it was the bottle of milk photo, or the in case of fire one. Could`ve been both. She`s not a saint but I really like St Therese`s sister Celine because she brought a camera into the monastery. I think at that time cameras were still in their infancy so for her to get one and take it in with her makes me a fan. [/quote] Oh my goodness, I forgot I kept the milk bottle and "fire alert" sign in there! Call me silly, but I was SO amused about the bottle of milk! One of the ladies that comes to the Priory often gave the Sisters one of her extra bottles of milk -- bottles of milk that are delivered by a real MILK MAN! Every week! The Sisters probably thought I was a real nut case, but wow, I'm still astounded that this still happens in the world. I just [i]had[/i] to take a picture. I mean, here in the U.S. I'm happy to see milk still in cartons, as opposed to the chunky plastic bottles. And the "fire alert" one had me laughing out loud when I first read it. I did the close up so I wouldn't forget that it said, "Attack the fire if possible using the appliances provided." -- ATTACK! Ah, makes me laugh far too much I suppose! What can I saw? I'm easily amused. P.S. -- and I completely agree with you about Celine. Have you ever read the book by her, "[url="https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/512/"]My Sister Saint Therese[/url]"? One of my absolute favorite books about St. Therese! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 I loved the picture of the sign about the library and chapel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 [quote name='laetitia crucis' date='15 January 2010 - 07:36 PM' timestamp='1263602200' post='2037995'] Ah, makes me laugh far too much I suppose! What can I saw? I'm easily amused. P.S. -- and I completely agree with you about Celine. Have you ever read the book by her, "[url="https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/512/"]My Sister Saint Therese[/url]"? One of my absolute favorite books about St. Therese! [/quote] lol attack the fire is awesome. If I was writing the sign Id probably just say put it out but that would be boring. Ive never seen milk in a glass bottle but I do like Coke in glass bottles and have the impression it tastes better too. Ive never read the book by Celine but now I want to! So many books so little time. I completely agree with the sign about spending time in the chapel and library because I really wish I could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tridenteen Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 [quote name='vee8' date='15 January 2010 - 08:57 PM' timestamp='1263607038' post='2038044'] lol attack the fire is awesome. If I was writing the sign Id probably just say put it out but that would be boring. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif[/img] Ive never seen milk in a glass bottle but I do like Coke in glass bottles and have the impression it tastes better too. Ive never read the book by Celine but now I want to! So many books so little time. I completely agree with the sign about spending time in the chapel and library because I really wish I could.[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/book.gif[/img] [/quote] JMJ The photos are BEE-UTIFUL! I wish I was good with a camera, but I'm not. The sisters looked so kind, and the grounds looked so [i]peaceful.[/i] I would love for you to give a fuller account of your retreat, I love hearing about visits to convents![img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/love.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 [quote name='Tridenteen' date='15 January 2010 - 11:17 PM' timestamp='1263611861' post='2038098'] JMJ The photos are BEE-UTIFUL! I wish I was good with a camera, but I'm not. The sisters looked so kind, and the grounds looked so [i]peaceful.[/i] I would love for you to give a fuller account of your retreat, I love hearing about visits to convents![img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/love.gif[/img] [/quote] Hey, Tridenteen! Ask me some questions about the retreat! Sometimes I have a hard time coming up with what to talk about, even though I had such a great time, you know? Ah, and yes, you are absolutely correct -- the grounds are so very peaceful! Sometimes I could hear cows mooing. I really liked that. And there were always birds chirping away. So nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muus Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Where's VA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now