Free for God Alone
In this series of blog posts, we explain and illustrate our monastic life as
cloistered Dominican Nuns who are “free for God alone.”
“In order that each monastery be a center of true communion, let all accept and cherish one another as members of the same body, different in native qualities and functions, but equal in the common bond of charity and profession.”
-Book of Constitutions of the Nuns
of the Order of Preachers
At a recent chapter meeting, one of our sisters was asked to give the chapter talk and reflected on this quote from our constitutions. She drew from her many years of monastic life to offer the following words of wisdom:
“You are on a faith journey together with your sisters. Where are you traveling if not to the Lord God? You have not yet reached his presence, but you have your sisters at your side. Support, love and care for these companions in your faith journey if you want to come to the presence of the God you love.” - from a commentary on the Rule of St. Augustine
Convivial fellowship and caring relationships provide a supportive environment where communication and collaboration will flourish.
The nuns in the cloister respond to every note and nuance of the symphony of monastic life. In a community that is both humanly flawed and divinely graced, joys are more keen, laughter more spontaneous, work more creative and playful, sorrows more deep and piercing, trust more simple and pure, love more generously given and received.
There are little chances to show spiritual, sisterly love: the tiny gestures, an open hand, a look, a smile, a laugh, a wink, a joke, a little note card. They are little minims like bread crumbs and croutons, but they are food also for the journey. Cherish them.
The astonishing fact of monastic community is that in spite of our evident human brokenness and incompleteness; in spite of our evident personal diversity, we can live together for a lifetime with unanimity and harmony that transcend all possible expectations. Yes, we can transcend age, generation gaps, even culture and language. Ultimately, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes us a community. We remain a community of faith; we remain the bearers of heavenly treasure in earthen vessels because the binding power of the Spirit of Love is stronger than any divisive forces that sometimes might be at work in our midst.
