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BELLTOWER
The architecture for our simple bell tower is again modeled on the
one at San Damiano monastery in Assisi. Bells connected with
divine services go back in Christianity to about the fourth
century. When our Father St. Francis visited the Near-East during
his wondrous odyssey of 1219, he became passionate about
reproducing Muslim fervor for public prayer. He listened to the
crier (muezzin) in his minaret and watched these non-Christians
prostrate in profound adoration; and he straightway brought their
custom, in Christian form, back to his hometown and territory.
Today's Angelus is a direct descendant of his effort! Our two
tower bells, Maria and Chiara, announce not only the Angelus, but
the greatest moments of the day, our Eucharistic celebration as
well as the seven daily hours of the Divine Office, the Liturgy of
the Hours. |
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QUADRANGLE
Here at the center of the residential area of our monastery is the
"cloister", our "garden enclosed". It
symbolizes for us the monastic way to union with God: a life truly
ordered for his glory. The cross-formed walkway reminds us that it
is through the redemptive suffering of Christ and our own sharing
of his Passion that the world is brought to peace and the beauty
of love. Like our Father St. Francis and our Mother St. Clare, we
shall delight in the loveliness of nature, finding the face of God
reflected in each flower and leaf. Thus shall our hearts be
purified for entering into his Eucharistic Presence as we make our
way daily to the monastery choir that completes the circle of the
cloister and is the true center of our lives |
REFECTORY
The monastic refectory, where meals are taken in silence while the
spirit is nourished by spiritual reading is indeed another
Cenacle. Because the Eucharist was instituted in the context of a
meal, the connection between our sanctuary and the refectory is
profound. Architecturally they have been placed across from and in
view of each other on the quadrangle of the building. A connecting
length of sidewalk accentuates their sacred and complementary
functions. |
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COMMUNITY
ROOM
Communing with God and communing with one another are the
partnered expressions of our enclosed contemplative life. From
both we seek to commune with all the people of God's world. The
very name community room bears special witness to the sisterhood
to which we are called. This multipurpose room reflects so many
aspects of our life in common: recreation, work projects, communal
discussions, classes, and more. |
MONASTIC
CELL
The term cell, so ancient in monastic usage, has, unfortunately,
been given a pejorative meaning in our day. It derives from the
Latin cellula - a very small room. It is a little portion, private
to each sister, reflecting the simplicity and purity of our life
with Christ. This is her secret trysting place with the Beloved, a
little alcove in the King's Rooms. Besides being a place for rest
at the end of a busy day, it is a private oratory for
contemplating the Word of God, and sometimes a scriptorium for
study and some forms of quiet work. Small by worldly standards, it
is as spacious as the heart of its occupant. |
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KITCHEN
& BAKERY
The sister-cook exercises a maternal-like care over her kitchen
duties as Mary over her household at Nazareth. Using the many
gifts of God's creation, she shares daily in his creativity in the
preparation of simple nourishing meals. Bethlehem means 'house of
bread." The work of the sister-baker in preparing our daily
bread, a morning portion and an evening repast, is a sacramental
sign of the Eucharistic meal provided by the Bread of Life
himself. Monastic menus follow closely the feasts and fasts of the
Liturgical Year. This rhythm, pulsing in the heart of the Most
Holy Trinity, pulses through every aspect of a given day. |
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