Postulants

[the lords sheep]

[quote name='VeniteAdoremus' post='1714976' date='Nov 30 2008, 11:00 PM']18 days until Sr. Julie attacks me with a measuring rope, but eight long months until I can wear the result of her efforts and still not be a Sister yet [/quote]

Wow!! How fun! What does the postulant outfit look like? Is there anyone entering with you?

[DameAgnes]

I'm curious as to what your postulant outfits and novice habits look like, too! Can you link to a pic? Congrats that you'll be "fitted" soon, btw.

As to naming postulants or how they're addressed, these sisters refer to their postulants as "Miss Firstname" as in "Miss Annie" or "Miss Colette" as we see here.

[url="http://www.ssfpa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192"]http://www.ssfpa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192[/url]

I know many monastic houses refer to a postulant as Sr. Firstname and await their novitiate for their name-in-religion. But I've also heard of some monasteries where the postulant is immediately given her name-in-religion because the passing through the enclosure door reflects the postulant's "passing through into the promised land" and therefore she is - within the enclosure - a new creation, different from her old self.

I think it's all good, either way.

[the lords sheep]

[quote name='DameAgnes' post='1715044' date='Dec 1 2008, 12:15 AM']I think it's all good, either way.[/quote]

Well put. As long young women are entering the convent and being faithful to God's call, I have to say it probably doesn't matter...
It's not like anyone sane is going to refuse to enter a community because she can't wait one more year to be called "Sister" (oh goodness! Can you imagine?)

[Thomist-in-Training]

[quote name='DameAgnes' post='1715044' date='Nov 30 2008, 05:15 PM']As to naming postulants or how they're addressed, these sisters refer to their postulants as "Miss Firstname" as in "Miss Annie" or "Miss Colette" as we see here.

[url="http://www.ssfpa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192"]http://www.ssfpa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192[/url][/quote]

"Miss," I like that, it's kind of old-fashioned and endearing.

I have the impression that in fact all Carmelites receive their name and are considered sisters right off, as soon as they enter enclosure. This may be from the "Teresa de los Andes" film or from a conversation with a Carmelite nun. (When I asked whether "Fourteen nuns" meant professed or professed and novitiate, she said that in Carmel they're all counted together.) Is that so, or does it vary from place to place?

[VeniteAdoremus]

[quote name='DameAgnes' post='1715044' date='Dec 1 2008, 12:15 AM']I'm curious as to what your postulant outfits and novice habits look like, too! Can you link to a pic? Congrats that you'll be "fitted" soon, btw.[/quote]

Thank you

I've never been this excited about clothes, by the way - my mum has fashion sense, but she refuses to pick my clothes for me anymore (muttering something about me being 24 and she living in another country, which I think are weak excuses).

You can see Benedicta in postulant garb here: [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/News/Community-_Benedicta_entrance_29th-1.jpg"]http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/News/Communi...ance_29th-1.jpg[/url]

And a closeup: [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/News/Benedicta_outside_St_Thomas_Aq.jpg"]http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/News/Benedic...t_Thomas_Aq.jpg[/url] (Dominican cross, yay!) I'm blonde and a head and a half taller, but the idea is the same

Here is Sr. Anne Frances on her clothing day, with parents and sisters: [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img15.jpg"]http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img15.jpg[/url]

Here she is with LOADS OF COOKIES: [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img14.jpg"]http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img14.jpg[/url]
This is her habit: [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img12.jpg"]http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img12.jpg[/url]

The black thing you see underneath is her cappa, or cape, which is only worn in chapel.

The colour of the Dominican habit is chosen for stealth: [url="http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img26.jpg"]http://www.dominicansrs.co.uk/Gallery/img26.jpg[/url]

So. Well. Yes. Enough with the photo spam

[quote name='DameAgnes' post='1715044' date='Dec 1 2008, 12:15 AM']As to naming postulants or how they're addressed, these sisters refer to their postulants as "Miss Firstname" as in "Miss Annie" or "Miss Colette" as we see here.

[url="http://www.ssfpa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192"]http://www.ssfpa.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=192[/url]

I know many monastic houses refer to a postulant as Sr. Firstname and await their novitiate for their name-in-religion. But I've also heard of some monasteries where the postulant is immediately given her name-in-religion because the passing through the enclosure door reflects the postulant's "passing through into the promised land" and therefore she is - within the enclosure - a new creation, different from her old self.

I think it's all good, either way.[/quote]

I agree.