Franciscan Sisters Minor-->poor Clares

[Sister Marie]

[quote name='Queen'sDaughter' timestamp='1339516223' post='2443914']
It is very unusual, but they are not making this decision quickly or lightly. They have been discerning as a community for some time, and the entire community had to agree to the change. The postulants who entered this past May entered knowing that they would be cloistered. The sisters in the most difficult position are the older posulants, who are still discerning their vocation, but entered before the decision was reached. It is entirely possible that some of the sisters may leave to continue an active life, and only time will tell.

I do not know how old the community is, but they were founded before the Franciscan Brothers Minor were. The Franciscan Brothers Minor were founded in 2009. Since both of these communities are dedicated to following the Rule as closely and literally as possible, the sisters have discerned that the closest way to follow the original rule of St. Clare is to become cloistered.

They will rely entirely on donations. These orders do not handle money AT ALL, which makes them fairly unusual. The Brothers will be the caretakers for the Sisters, and the Catholic community is responsible for the support of the brothers. And so far the community has been doing a very good job!
[/quote]

Thanks for sharing this. What strikes me in this unique situation is how much community discernment was required. What a testament to Christian community that the sisters were able to and willing to do that difficult work!

I would love to ask the sisters how they navigated such a big change together, how it affected community life, the difficulties and the blessings that occurred throughout. I would guess that it has brought them very close in charity with one another. It seems like the discernment was successful - and that is quite a feat when that many women have to make a decision together!

I always feel very blessed at the end of a time of decision making in community because it calls forth so much generosity, sacrifice, and love from each sister involved and I just think that this situation seems like such a great witness to that kind of prayer and dialogue.

I do not know these sisters well although I've heard about them but I am grateful for the witness they just gave of community life.

[emmaberry]

I agree with Sister Marie. In our society, a group of women coming together and making a decision this big, requiring so much sacrifice, is so unusual! I hope God rewards them for their leap of faith.

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='Queen'sDaughter' timestamp='1339511352' post='2443887']
They are all postulants. There are a total of 5, and the two that wear the tunics have been postulants for about 8 months, and the 3 that wear the jumpers entered on May 13th. I think that they went with the simpler outfits because they use less material and are cheaper, which would be more fitting with their vow of poverty.[/quote]
Thank you!

[quote name='Queen'sDaughter' timestamp='1339516223' post='2443914']
I do not know how old the community is, but they were founded before the Franciscan Brothers Minor were. The Franciscan Brothers Minor were founded in 2009.
[/quote]
I think I read somewhere that the sisters were founded in 2000.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Sister Marie' timestamp='1339517641' post='2443925']
Thanks for sharing this. What strikes me in this unique situation is how much community discernment was required. What a testament to Christian community that the sisters were able to and willing to do that difficult work!

I would love to ask the sisters how they navigated such a big change together, how it affected community life, the difficulties and the blessings that occurred throughout. I would guess that it has brought them very close in charity with one another. It seems like the discernment was successful - and that is quite a feat when that many women have to make a decision together!

I always feel very blessed at the end of a time of decision making in community because it calls forth so much generosity, sacrifice, and love from each sister involved and I just think that this situation seems like such a great witness to that kind of prayer and dialogue.

I do not know these sisters well although I've heard about them but I am grateful for the witness they just gave of community life.
[/quote]

It is quite amazing that they all decided upon this together. My sister can't even decide what dress she wants to wear.

[emmaberry]

Can I ask what it means to "follow the original rule of St Clare with the rule of poverty and the Marian vow." They say that, to their knowledge, they will be the only nuns to do this. I thought all Poor Clares (non-Colletine) followed the original rule of St Clare?

[ACS67]

[quote]The enclosure Mass will be at 10:00 in the morning, and they told me they wished it were in the evening [b]so that they could just go sleep and not think about the change[/b]. [/quote]

That's funny. They would not be sleeping very long because they have to get up in less than 4 hours for Matins (in bed by 10 p.m. Matins starts at 2 a.m.). I just came back from a visit with them. I was there for a week. They are remarkable women indeed and the diocese of Ft. Wayne absolutely loves them.