Epiphany Party

Every year on the Feast of the Epiphany (or thereabouts) the Novitiate holds an Open House/Christmas Party at evening recreation. The novitiate (the place, not the sisters) is an area of the monastery that is separated from the Professed sisters. It is has cells (bedrooms) for the novices and Novice Mistress, a community room, library, chapter hall, office, etc. The novitiate is strictly off limits for the professed sisters!

So the Epiphany party is a special treat when everyone is invited up to the Novitiate's community room to enjoy their Christmas decorations, treats, and Christmas carols. We always start off the carols with 'We Three Kings' as the Prioress, Sr. Mary Martin, crowns our three kings. The 'kings' are the three lucky sisters who find a hidden nut in their breakfast.  This year's kings were Sr. Mary Ana, Sr. Maria Johanna, and Sr. Mary Jacinta. A Mass is also celebrated for their intentions. 

As we've mentioned in past blog posts, we have a very musical novitiate, and the "Band of Beginners" had prepared a piece for the party, arrange by Sr. Marie. Sr. Marie also accompanied the carols on the keyboard.