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More Blogs by Nuns
By Sister Julie | April 26, 2008
I am pleased to welcome to the blogosphere the Cistercian Nuns of Saint Mary’s Abbey in Glencairn, Ireland. Their new blog is Cistercian Vocation and it is written by Sister Eleanor, the vocation director. Sister Eleanor’s very first post was “Begin with Prayer“, a wonderful way to begin any endeavor!
The Cistercians of Saint Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, are just across the Irish Sea from another group of blogging nuns, the Benedictine Nuns of Saint Mary’s Abbey, Colwich, who write the blog Colwich Novitiate.
Cistercian Vocation has gotten off to a great start with some very handy links and information about Cistercians and their way of life.
- Cistercian Spirituality
- A Prayer for Guidance (one of my favorite prayers … by Thomas Merton)
- Saint Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn (the main website of the community) which features a wonderful FAQ about monastic life
Through this blog, I’ve discovered another blog by the contemplative Benedictine nuns of Abbey of Saint Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado.
I’ve added both blogs to my list of Blogs by Catholic Nuns. Do let me know if you know of any others.
Topics: news on the nunfront, surfing the net |
April 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Well I’m glad to see that there are at least some Irish nuns who are moving away from the more than justified reputation bulit up by the entire nation of being a bit backward in coming forward - when it comes to blogging that is!
The Poor Care nuns in Ennis, Co. Clare have a website but as far as I know no blog as such.
If I find any I’ll let you know and meanwhile I’ll go have a look at these mentioned ones - it’s a great way of promoting vocations.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Does contemplative mean cloistered, Sister?
April 27th, 2008 at 5:27 am
A Prayer for Guidance is also one of my favorite prayers, often given as a gift to others. This was a wonderful insight into these sisters and their “home life.” Thank you!
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Hi Samantha,
“Contemplative” and “cloistered” are not exactly the same thing, though they are sometimes used in an overlapping way to describe certain religious orders.
“Cloistered” comes from the Latin word for an “enclosed place”, and so refers principally to the physical location of a community. The “cloister” or “enclosure” is the reserved place to which the nuns or monks go apart in order to live their life of prayer and dedication to God.
“Contemplative”, on the other hand, refers firstly to a kind of prayer – contemplative prayer or contemplation – and also to a lifestyle which fosters such prayer. All Christians are called to practice contemplative prayer, but some people live in a way particularly conducive to its cultivation. Religious orders with such a lifestyle and who do not engage in active ministries are often referred to as “contemplative orders.”
“Monastic” is another related word. It comes from monos, meaning “alone” or “solitary”. “Monks” or “monastics” are those who go apart (even if they do so in groups, together), to be alone (with God).
God bless, Sr Eleanor