January 2025
It was cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning getting ready for our house blessing on the Feast of the Epiphany! Anything that stood still for longer than a few seconds got either polished, dusted or scoured. Because of the Three Kings coming to Our Newborn King, the feast of the Epiphany holds a special place in the hearts of the PCPA’s because of our dedication of adoring this same King in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
We were then blessed to go right into our canonical retreat with our retreat master, Fr. Ignatius John Sweitzer, OP, which was teeming with graces. Father has a great love of the contemplative life and shared with us many of his own thoughts and reflections from his time in prayer, as well as drawing from the great masters, Ss. Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross & others. It was a graced filled week indeed!
Being in the Deep South, snow is not something we see often. So, when we are blessed with a snowfall (albeit a very short one), small children couldn’t have been more excited than we were, as the snowmen happily confirm. Thank you Jesus!
On January 18, our Sr. Elise had her Investment and is now Sr. Seraphina Marie of the Holy Face. It is such a blessing to watch a young woman take this next step deeper into the vocation of a PCPA and be clothed in our habit and receive her new name. Sister said she was quite surprised when she first heard her new name but knew it was perfect!
February 2025
For a while now, our lighting system in the chapel has been waning. As repairs were being made a few other ‘hiccups’ occurred including one of the chandeliers not quite making it back up to the ceiling. (it had been lowered to change light bulbs). Thankfully, with the help of some scaffolding, it finally made it’s way where it needed to be.
Transitions are not always smooth and easy, which has been our experience here of late as Winter gives way for Spring. The warmer temps are most welcome but it seems they came riding in on some pretty strong winds! And four broken trees in the cloister yard can attest to that!
We were however able to start on our garden which started with pruning the muscadine vines. With clippers in hand, we were able to get them all done before the first blossom made its appearance. We then headed to the big garden and got a few veggies in the ground. This is one of our favorite times of the year!
March 2025
Ash Wednesday has arrived and with the entire Church, our community spends the day in prayer and silence with Jesus; asking Him for the grace to walk with Him more closely this holy season and for a greater knowledge of self.
Spring has definitely arrived at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery! We are blessed with many ‘green-thumbed’ Nuns which our yard testifies. Flowers are blooming in abundance as are homemade flower arrangements in front of statues and pictures (Our Lady especially!) all throughout the monastery.
