Online formation has begun

On Friday, November 21, the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, and the date of the Pro Orantibus (Day of Prayer for the Cloisters), the Cloisterite Hermits received their first online lesson and assignment. I am now classifying them as "Novas." Under our cenobitic plan, the Novas were the first stage of training. Modern psychology teaches that a person requires 14 weeks to make adjustments, and that was part of the basis for the creation of the Nova stage. They would be doing mostly prayer--learning how to make their prayer better--and making adjustments to community life.

In our eremitic expression, though, it will be slightly different. They are receiving online formation (until further notice due to my familial circumstances which popped up unexpectedly), and are classed as Novas until the World Day of Prayer for Vocations in February. Then, they will be considered postulants.

Their Nova "habit" is all white--skirts and blouses--plus an all-white hoodie and white tiechel with white cord. Their postulant habit will be the same, except black. The eremitic habit is still under discernment, but it will retain the white tunic and light blue scapular of the former habit of the Society of Mary Reparatrix. The Cloisterites follow the Reparation spirituality of their foundress, Blessed Emilie D'Oultremont.

We order our tiechels from Headcoverings by Devorah.

We recommend that anyone interested in our eremitic way of life begin as a lay (non-canonical) hermit. That does not mean that we won't entertain inquiries from c.603 (canonical) hermits. The four basic tenets of Cloisterite eremitical life are: reparation; prayer for the cloisters and their vocations; prayer for emerging charisms and their vocations; the intentions of Cloister Outreach, including those whom we serve. Our eremitical plan of life is titled, "Nesting in the Sacred Heart." Blessed Emilie wrote that her SMRs were to further develop and deepen the Sacred Heart devotion given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The reparation nuns, as they were known, prayed the Office of the Sacred Heart. Alas, I am not able to find such a book.

For Thanksgiving week, I have challenged the Novas to be the strongest person when present at any family gatherings, and not to give themselves over to emotions, as some reunions can trigger melt-downs. Part of the Cloisterite charism is taken from the Visitation nuns: profound humility before God and great sweetness toward neighbor. As St. Teresa of Avila told her nuns: "Emotionally, be a man."

Pax & bonum,
Gemma