Cloisters in US?

[annamarie]

Does anyone know of any cloistered Communities for women in the United States that are still up and running strong?

[Sister Leticia]

Welcome to Phatmass! I'm not from the US, but I can tell you that I've seen countless threads here in which members discuss the various monastic communities around the USA. I'm sure if you scroll through you'll find some.

However, if you are asking people to help you with your search, it is more helpful if you can give us an idea of what you're looking for. You could tell us a little bit about yourself, and whether you've read about and considered the different spiritualities and expressions of monastic life. Are there any you feel especially drawn to? (eg Carmel, Benedictine, Poor Clare, Dominican) How far have you got thus far with your own information gathering?

I know there are also vocations discernment websites such as Vision Vocation Match, which is US-based, and contains listings and links to all sorts of helpful articles and resources, as well as helping enquirers learn more about what they are looking for and find out more about the different communities.

Blessings on your discernment!

[He is Risen!]

Welcome!I agree with Sr. Leticia, you will have to narrow it down a bit, there are a lot of choices!  Have you visited any communities yet? 

[Sr Mary Catharine OP]

Well, it depends on what you mean by "up and running strong"! There are many that are stable and viable. Cloistered communities usually don't have large numbers like the active sisters do and it's actually not the best for a community. That is why St. Teresa of Avila decided that her communities should be no bigger than 21.

My own monastery has come to the conclusion that once we get to about 25-30 professed don't want to get any bigger. So that is why our new wing we are hoping to build doesn't have extra monastic cells. When we reach that point we'll know what God wants of us next!

[DominicanHeart]

It seems like there's a lot of of everything so like everyone said just have to narrow it down a bit 

[Luigi]

To the best of my knowledge, there are in the US something like: 

60 or so Carmelite monasteries

40-something Benedictine monasteries (some have active ministries, some are more cloistered, some are fully cloistered)

40 or so Poor Clare monasteries

18 Dominican monasteries, some with perpetual adoration and some not

9 Visitation monasteries, some with active ministries (girls' schools), some fully cloistered 

9 Cistercian monasteries (4 of the Common Observance, 5 of the Strict Observance, aka Trappistines)

5 Passionist monasteries

4 Holy Spirit Sisters of Perpetual Adoration monasteries

Those are the larger orders.There are additional smaller orders (Society of Peace, Redemptoristines, and others). 

 

So the short answer is, "Yes, there are cloistered communities for women in the US that are still up and running strong." 

[FlowerofCarmel]

America is so blessed with so many faithful communities! 

[Gabriela]

Look here: http://www.deoestgloria.com/

It's not completely exhaustive, but it's the most exhaustive list out there.

If, as the others suggest, you can narrow it down, we can fill in any gaps on that website.

[Antigonos]

7 hours ago, Gabriela said:

Look here: http://www.deoestgloria.com/

It's not completely exhaustive, but it's the most exhaustive list out there.

If, as the others suggest, you can narrow it down, we can fill in any gaps on that website.

Link didn't work for me, Gabriela

[Gabriela]

8 hours ago, Antigonos said:

Link didn't work for me, Gabriela

That's weird. I just clicked it and it works over here. Try copying and pasting it into your browser, or actually type it out in the URL bar.