Another candidate

Another candidate is making definite arrangements to enter our community in the not-too-distant future, please God. 

She has passed through the various stages of discernment: first, hesitantly speaking to a spiritual director and getting advice, then coming to stay in our guest-house for a few nights to get an intial “feel” for the place, and later coming for a “live-in” experience of a few weeks.  Over time, she prayed, thought, discussed, wondered, prayed, discussed, listened to what we hope is the whisper of the Holy Spirit in her heart… and asked to be accepted as a postulant.

We agreed.  She undertook a psychological assessment (we ask this of all candidates before they enter), the feedback from which will be one of the tools which, hopefully, will help her to grow during her time of initial formation.

She applied for leave-of-absence from her job, but this was not granted, so she handed in her notice instead.  She is making arrangements for her house to be rented – if she goes on to make profession here, it will be sold, but not just yet.  She suffered the anxiety of her Dad being admitted to hospital suddenly with a heart attack… thankfully he recovered and is now discharged.

She broke the news to her family and friends of the step that she is undertaking, and experienced people’s very mixed reactions.  It is not easy for many to understand what she is doing.  Some are shocked, some are bewildered, and some are delighted.  Monastic life is a challenge to people’s value-systems, including to those of faith!  Dealing with these varied reactions can be difficult.  But it is an opportunity to witness to the Gospel and to one’s dedication to Jesus Christ.

This week she hopes to bring her mother to visit the monastery for the first time.  (Dad is not well enough to travel yet).  Rarely does a mother find it easy to see her daughter entering a monastery!  So we pray that this first visit will be an experience of God’s grace and peace, and as happy as possible.

After that, she has some other practicalities to tidy up, and hopefully it will not be long more until this candidate becomes a postulant, joining the six others already in initial formation in Glencairn.  Watch this space for an update to that effect!