Jump to content
An Old School Catholic Message Board

Regina Magazine Featuring Dominican Nuns!


Sr Mary Catharine OP

Recommended Posts

IgnatiusofLoyola

I loved this. Through the Community's blog, I feel like I have come to know a little bit about the Sisters, even though I live more than 750 miles away. I eagerly read anything new that is written about the Summit Dominicans.

 

I confess (and I am not proud of this), I sometimes find "vocation stories" a little dull, because they often repeat many of the same phrases--they don't seem "individual." In contrast, I LOVED the vocation stores here. I know that, in part, the vocation stories were of special interest to me  because I feel I "know" these particular Sisters a little bit. I remember when the Sisters were postulants, and I have followed their vocations over time. But also, I thought these were some of the best written vocation stories I have ever read. For perhaps the first time, these vocation stories helped me understand specifically what happened to bring these very diverse women to Summit, and why they have stayed.

 

The Summit nuns have a way of making you feel individually loved. Whenever I have written to the Community, I've felt that the nuns really listened--they took a personal interest in me. And, I am nobody. I'm not a discerner--I'm not even Catholic. But, the nuns still care.

 

Reading this piece made me realize that I am only one of hundreds (thousands?) of people whose lives are touched by the nuns. This surprised me a little (although rationally I knew this already). Mostly, I felt very humbled that the nuns have taken any time at all to talk to me. From what I read, the nuns make EVERYONE with whom they come in contact feel the way the nuns make me feel, namely, that the nuns genuinely care, and more importantly, that I am loved by God. What a wonderful gift!

 

I loved all the new pictures of the Monastery. Without making me feel like I was prying, the pictures gave me another "peek" at Rosary Shrine. It is so generous of these Sisters that they let us get to know a little more about their life.

 

For health reasons, it is sadly unlikely that I ever be able to visit the nuns and the chapel at Summit in person. But, I feel the effects of their life in Christ from 750 miles away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sr Mary Catharine OP

Iggy, we love you! We truly do! WE feel so humbled and honored when you take time to write US!

So glad you enjoyed the magazine. I think that right now those of us who were working with the editors don't want to see it for a few months!

 

We're working on print copies. It may not be possible but we're looking into it.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IgnatiusofLoyola

I hope you'll indulge me in a somewhat off-topic post.

 

I realized after I made my post above that my comments could be read as less than positive about "vocation stories." That was not my intent at all, and if anyone read my comments that way, I apologize that my words weren't better chosen. Every vocation story I've read has been clearly heartfelt. And, I know that the Sister writing it has labored over her words to find a way to explain things that aren't always "rational" in the eyes of the world. Yet, both in religious life and in the world there are times we feel things, or we make decisions, that we "just know" are right or what God is calling us to do, but can be are hard to explain. 

 

When I read vocation stories, often the ones that move me the most are those written by a person who has been in religious life for awhile, or even for a lifetime. I know that in my own life, more often than not, I've found that while I understood my decisions and actions at some level at the time I made them, over time, I understood them more fully, and was able to better explain them to others. 

 

I don't envy any young woman who is asked to tell her vocation story at the time she enters a Community, especially if she is asked to write a short statement. A vocation story is something that is very helpful and meaningful, but I imagine has to be very difficult. At the time we embark on a new commitment we may know in our reason and our feelings that it is the right thing to do, but fuller and clearer understanding of all the reasons behind why it is/was the right thing it often doesn't come until later.

 

I hope this explanation makes some sense, and I apologize again if any readers felt hurt or dismissed by my earlier comments.

 

Thank-you for your patience. Back to the topic at hand. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Iggy I identified with your comment about the vocation stories, they sometimes sound very similar but these were wonderful.

 

Sister I hope to come and visit the shrine at some point. Maybe in the next couple years I will be able to head out NJ way...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Iggy don't worry, your comments were lovely and I agree that it must be difficult for people to write their story as they see it, especially when they're in the thick of it. Whenever I come across vocation stories I'm usually much more interested in what the really really old and venerable sisters, who have been through everything, have to say about their lives and God. This feature is an amazing effort, though, and it's a really good insight into the sisters' lives. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a question I know Sister Mary Catharine can answer - in the older pictures, some of the nuns are wearing black "scapulars" - does this denote they are Externs? Also, do you have Externs now? Lastly, are Third Order Dominicans buried in the habit? Thanks in advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sr Mary Catharine OP

Those were lay nuns. Externs were not religious nor did they wear the habit of the Order until about the 50's. They were a sort of habit usually black.Nor were they ever allowed inside. Now they usually live inside but a monastery could decide they wouldn't.

 

The lay nuns allowed to change to the white scapular around the 30's. Not sure of the exact date. They retained the white veil but were in solemn vows. They prayed their own psalter or a number of hail Mary's, Our Father's, etc. They managed and did most of the manual work of the monastery and it was a huge transition when their category was dissolved.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...