"Pray your Life"

 

Being Cloistered Religious, living enclosure according to the traditional Monastic rhythms, our day alternates between periods of prayer and work, with time interspersed for meals and recreation.

Recently, some instruction was offered to a willing religious; that she might take on the role of ringing the Monastery bells, which call the Sisters to the next period in their daily schedule.  It is true, a mechanism could be programmed to sound the well-timed bell tones throughout each day, but only a loving Child of God can "pray the bell" as she rings it.

This function is so important that the assignment of BELL RINGER is listed as that Sister's first duty of priority, next to her name!

With practice, the new Bell Ringer becomes confident and proficient at her task.  It is only after prayerful reflection, however, that she becomes inspired.  Then, using the eyes of Faith, she accomplishes her duty "as prayer".  When Sister begins to desire to serve the Lord with her ringing, she then stands in God's place, and in the place of our own Foundress, the Servant of God, Mother Catherine Aurelia Caouette, announcing to all the Adorers, the Will of God for them at that moment.

The sound of the bell heralds the call to every Sister to know, love and obey the next scheduled exercise, because it is God who calls.  Each Sister sanctifies herself by promptly and prayerfully responding to that call.

In your life, too, there rings the rhythm of God's call and inspiration, inviting you to hear and do His Holy Will.  Yes, it can be ignored or postponed until the tone begins to fade, grace diminishes, and Jesus reluctantly puts His loving plans for you aside.

Instead, why not resolve to "pray your life", as the Sister "prays the bell", and the Monastic Community "prays" their prompt response?

"Pray your life" by desiring to love Jesus enough to answer  each one of His grace-filled invitations as soon as they resound in your heart.  Once you entrust all to Him and dare to do it His Way, you will always be happy "praying" your life!

Are you a faithful, baptized Catholic  woman, between 20 and 40, attending weekly Mass and living a single, celibate life of prayer and service to others, the gentle bell of the Lord may be ringing in your heart to "come follow Me"?  Why not respond today?

To learn more about our Contemplative LIfe, share a walk with a Sister, or arrange for a visit, simply send us an email at vocations@srspreciousbloodnh.org

CLICK HERE to go to our Vocation Questionaire form