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Poor Clare Cross Prayer
Several times a day, Poor Clares pray with arms outstretched in what we call the “Cross Prayer”. I always smile to see a new postulant gradually getting used to this usually unfamiliar prayer...
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First Frost
Yesterday, Postulant Sarah told me she had completed her cleaning, and was there anything else she could do? So I sent her out to the garden to assess the damage caused by that morning’s frost. As I...
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All Saints Day
One of our best loved traditions is decorating our devotional shrines with holy cards of saints on All Saints Day! Here is a view of the novitiate altar. The actual display extends out on both sides....
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Announcing the Investiture of Postulant Erin!
Sewing hands and singing hearts proclaim at Bethlehem Monastery of Poor Clares that there will soon be a new novice in our midst! Postulant Erinwill receive the Holy Habit of our Mother St. Clare this...
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All is Ready for Erin's Investiture!
All is ready for Erin’s investiture tomorrow. Or, at least all is ready as it is ever going to be. The ceremony will take place after Holy Mass, here in our Chapter Room. Mother and Erin will sit...
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"Erin, in the future you will be called..."
Sister Maria Christi of the Immaculate Conception
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The Collards Charism
Since our new novice, Sister Maria Christi, had been duly invested with our Holy Habit, and her new clothes were becoming a bit rumpled, spotted and wrinkled so that she ever more looked like the rest...
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What are these Wounds? Christ the King of the Universe
Blessed Feast of Christ the King of the Universe! In Year C of the Liturgical Cycle, we view Christ on the royal throne of the Cross. Here is a poem by one of our Sisters who contemplates and...
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Did the Jar Get Opened?
This was the burning question at our evening recreation at the end of Thanksgiving Day. Earlier, while the Sisters had been busily occupied with that traditional feminine activity occurring after...
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Sister Maria Christi Shares Her Investiture Day
Our new novice, Sister Maria Christi of the Immaculate Conception, celebrates her first nameday on Monday, the transferred feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is our custom for a new novice to...
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The Baptist’s Question
On this 3rd Sunday of Advent, traditionally called “Gaudate Sunday” (Latin for rejoice), the Church gives us a story about a man who definitely was not rejoicing. John the Baptist, the faithful...
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Why December 25th?
One of our Sisters has a great interest in the “Hebrew Roots” of our Catholic faith. Based on her biblical research, she has an explanation of why we celebrate Christmas on December 25th. I...
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Christmas Newsletter
Donated Poinsettias from our Generous Benefactors Awaiting their Christmas Debut Bethlehem Monastery of Poor Clares Christmas, 2013 Behold, I stand at the...
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Novitiate Christmas Tree Decorating
Christmas Tree decorating in the Novitiate is... ...dangerous business! This is our "Charlie Brown Tree" constructed with authentic Barhamsville evergreen branches. Handle with care!Guess who broke...
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God's Poetry-A Tribute to the Infant Jesus
Our Sanctuary CrecheOn this Feast of the Holy Family, I ask God to bless all of our families with His Christmas Peace! I also offer here a poem by one of our novices that she shared on Christmas...
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Blessed New Year!
Our Sanctuary resplendent in poinsettias donated by our benefactorsBlessed New Year to all from Bethlehem Monastery! I share here a poem by one of our Sisters, looking forward to Sunday's feast of...
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Baptism of the Lord
BaptismWater washed he stands in Jordan's floodAnd heaven tears before the Father's face.When washed again in sacrificial blood,The veil is rent before the Holy Place.Water-washed I stand in flowing...
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Behold the Lamb of God
Our life is full of mysteries, unanswered questions, unfathomed realities. For anyone desiring to have control over life, this situation can be very anxiety provoking! But for those willing to take...
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Poor Clare Snow Fun
As everyone in Virginiaknows, it SNOWED last week! True to our Franciscan heritage, Mother Abbess gave us all permission to go outside and enjoy God’s gift. Our Father St. Francis rejoiced with...
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Ever Try Building a Monastery?
Sister Charitas and Sister Agnes at what would become our front entrance You haven’t really lived until you do! That is, if you do survive to tell the tale. On Thursday, January 30th, we celebrated...
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