Formation Reading List--August through November

With all that is going on in my life (mom, MIL, and Aspergers son), I may have been remiss in posting the Formation Reading List for the last few months. Here goes:

August -- St. Alphonsus Liguori -- little chapters on prayer in his collected works from Paulist Press. They were free to read more in the book, if the Spirit led them to do so.

September -- Magisterial documents on the religious life from the Vatican website.

October -- St. John of the Cross -- Dark Night of the Soul. This is a snippet from "The Ascent of Mount Carmel" but they were free to read that as well.

November -- Fr. Faber's "All for Jesus."

Blessings,
Gemma

Pre-postulancy Novena-retreat Begins Today

The Novas become Pre-Postulants today, as they begin a nine day novena to the Poor Souls in Purgatory for assistance in their upcoming year of formation. The Novas' Postulant year begins next Saturday, November 21, Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, and the date of the Pro Orantibus ("For those who pray").

Their garb for the coming year will be all black--skirt, blouse or quality t-shirt, hoodie, and tiechel. The Miraculous Medal will be retained.

We follow the Carthusian Rule interepreted for our own purposes by our Plan of Life, known to us as "Nesting in the Sacred Heart." The Carthusian Rule calls for an eight day retreat prior to profession, and the Spirit indicated that for us, we should have nine days, and include a novena. November 21 is on a Saturday, which for us is dedicated to the Poor Souls and the Mother of Sorrows.

Please keep our Pre-Postulants in your prayers. Be assured of our prayers for you and your intentions.

Blessings,
Gemma

As the Nova Year Draws to a Close

Everybody is persevering, and the Plan of Life continues to "distill"--bits and pieces presenting themselves at their own pace to be put in the final make-up of the rule.

The post-nomial initials will be "eremOLC". In the future, aspirants will take a new name--filling in the blank behind "Sr Mary of ____" and use "a.eremOLC" with the "a" indicating the aspirancy level. The reason for the name format is this: imitation of Blessed Emilie's Society of Mary Reparatrix. Since the sisters were to be other Marys making reparation with her and in her place--as far as possible--they had such a format. "Sr Mary of St Agatha" would be called "Sr Mary St Agatha" or "Sr Mary Agatha."

Aspirants will begin their journey with us in July, so that they may begin the Novaship on November 21. They will also be requested to name their hermitage.We are doing the aspirancy differently than other orders. In our charism, the Aspirant is one who has discerned that this is where God is leading her, and the aspirancy is a true preparatory phase for the Novaship. The aspirants will start practicing covering, and will pare down their wardrobes. This is what happened with the first aspirant band, so we made note and added it to the Plan of Life.

I have been asked if the prayerbooks will be strictly Latin. In this time of economic upheaval, I do not wish this to be a burden to anyone, so following the suit of a friend who is a monastic novice mistress, I say "use what you have on hand".When we start having the Cloisterite Convergence, as the Spirit has named the hermits' coming together, I will have to ask somebody's permission to copy Latin prayer and Mass books. We will also use the time for retreat and business matters.

However, due to my husband more than likely running for Congress (House) in 2010, any Convergances won't take place until 2011 or thereabouts.

Blessings,
Gemma

Novas pausing with foundress

to pray for my mom, whom I've mentioned on my personal blog.

Blessings,
Gemma

Novas Making Reparation for Tiller Murder

Monday is dedicated to making reparation to the Holy Ghost, and we certainly have our work cut out for us today.

I can think of nothing more insulting that could happen on the Holy Ghost's feast day of Pentecost--other than committing suicide.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Kansas abortionist Dr. Tiller was murdered at his church yesterday as he was exercising the office of Minister of Hospitality (formerly known as an usher).

The perp--who knows what he was thinking. But does he realize that he has potentially put the head of every pro-lifer in this nation on Obama's platter? Hopefully, the president shows more balance and rationale than the perp did.

Not only do we need to make reparation for what the pro-death faction (the abortion industry) is doing, but we also need to make reparation for the irrational judgements that our own have rushed into.

Blessings,
Gemma

Promise to post more after Easter

The novas continue their formation. We have been reading "The Foot of the Cross" by Fr. Faber for Lent.

Will post more after Easter.

Blessings,
Gemma

The Start of Ordinary Time

The novas will be finishing Fr. Faber's "Bethlehem" next Advent.

We have started in on "Imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

Since my husband is having back surgery on Monday, January 26, I will not be at liberty to update any of my blogs until sometime in February.

Blessings,
Gemma

Back from Christmas Vacation

Or at least the foundress is.

We have been reading Fr. Faber's "Bethlehem," and I, a convert, have been wondering why these truths of mystical theology have not been taught to the merest children. I think our Church would be the better for it.

I should be able to blog more later, after we get back into the swing of things.

Blessings,
Gemma