Heather becomes an affiliate!

Sr. Carol:  Heather, what do you request?

Heather:  To become an Affiliate of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery.

Sr. Carol:  Welcome, Heather!

Today we celebrate the beginning of Heather's Benedictine journey with us.  Heather has taken the first formal step towards entering Our Lady of Grace Monastery.  It's a day of great joy for all community members...especially the vocation director!

The affiliation stage can last from six months to two years. It begins by a woman expressing her desire to the Prioress and Vocation Director to get to know the community better by attending prayer, meals and visiting the community on a frequent basis. It is also a period of time where the candidate meets with the Vocation Director and keeps in contact with her as they discern her call together.  Once the candidate believes she is ready to take the next step she must meet with the Prioress and then formally write a letter seeking permission to enter the community as a postulant. Upon the acceptance of the request by the Prioress, the candidate is ready to take the next step.

Please help me in giving thanks to God for this joyous occasion at Our Lady of Grace Monastery.  Please continue to pray daily that God will continue to send us happy, holy and healthy women to our community so that we may continue this long Benedictine tradition of seeking God through prayer, work and hospitality.

Welcome indeed, Heather!