Preparations For Entry

[maximillion]

Praised be to God for graces given and responded to with generosity as we once more witness ( even indirectly) a spate of Vows Ceremonies and Entrances.

I was wondering, in view of the upcoming Entries, what preparations peeps thought it important to make in the few months before?

I know we all love to see 'the list' and help out with ideas for that, but I am thinking in a more spiritual sense..........
One of the things that struck me and to which it took a little getting used to was the silence in the convent.
Now, I entered a long time ago, but I am thinking of the TV's on all the time, or one in the bedroom, as well as MP3's, Mobile phones ( texting) PC's with internet, etc etc. which are so much a feature of our daily lives in the 21st C.

How much time do people actually spend in silence these days apart from in church? I think I am talking/thinking here of stillness and silence. No distractions......for periods of an hour or more.

It's true that the profound hush and stillness that fell over the community after afternoon Rec was as profound as any I have known. Once I was used to it it was wonderful - and I miss it now. Looking back now, I didn't have the benefit of a live-in, but not everyone does these days either.
This silence took some getting used too. Do peeps try and prepare for this within the limitations of their daily activities. Is it a good idea? How would you go about it? Are there other things people can think of that it may be good to prepare for?

[Lisa]

I definitely need to work on silence- putting away my computer, turning off the TV, music, etc.
For me, I would consider service as a preparation for entry. I moved back home after 4 years more or less on my own, so I've really been trying to do extra. It also means practicing obedience, which will likely be my biggest challenge. Cooking more meals, doing other people's laundry, picking things up, and caring for my mom have helped my focus on having an obedient servant's heart.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Lisa' timestamp='1345567869' post='2471293']
I definitely need to work on silence- putting away my computer, turning off the TV, music, etc.
For me, I would consider service as a preparation for entry. I moved back home after 4 years more or less on my own, so I've really been trying to do extra. It also means practicing obedience, which will likely be my biggest challenge. Cooking more meals, doing other people's laundry, picking things up, and caring for my mom have helped my focus on having an obedient servant's heart.
[/quote]

This is what I have been doing as well! I don't have an entrance date yet but I'm hoping to hear back from the Provincial Superior or Mother General soon since the P.S. went overseas last week and took my psychological evaluation results with her to plead my case before the council. My therapist warned me that I really need to work on my obedience and, since I'm living at home, I'm vacuuming every week, doing the laundry, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen, and helping with cooking. In fact, I've been doing it for about 3 months now and whenever I haven't done something for the day, it bothers me until I do something. It's become a positive routine.

As far as the silence goes, that's something I have to work on. I'm home a lot during the day but I just became a full-time student yesterday so I'm going to have to figure out how to whittle down my use of technology. It's going to be difficult, though, because 3 of the 4 classes I'm taking are online.

I barely watch regular TV anymore since I don't like what is usually on nowadays. I watched the Olympics, though, and I watch PBS and other mild stations. Most of the time I watch shows on my computer since I can control what I watch and don't have to worry about seeing something that I wouldn't want to see. I don't listen to the regular radio anymore either for the same reason.