Come and see our home, our lives. Fifteen young women ages 17-31 were recently welcomed to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse for the weekend. All arrived by car for a Friday night social of nacho chips and taco dip. Night prayer followed in our Gothic style St. Francis Chapel at Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Saturday and Sunday continued the adventure of reflection on the vocation to Franciscan consecrated life.
Here are words from the young women themselves about the weekend convent visit.
What touched your heart during the weekend?
- Reflecting on the bridegroom in adoration and hearing the novices and postulants sharing stories about their life and discernment, also praying at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help Shrine
- I saw the kindness of the sisters and how they are a family. I think that this helped put me at ease giving me no anxiety and no reason to be anxious.
- The Sisters opening the doors of their house for visitors like us to ‘come and see’.
- The dedication the sisters showed to their service inspired me to guide my life to live by similar values. I admire the virtues that the sisters live by.
- I think just learning to sit and talk to Jesus again. I wasn’t really making time for him at home, or if I did, it was structured and not really talking to Him. So just talking to Him again, and actually hearing what He had to say to me.
What part of the weekend did you find the most helpful?
- The time we spent with the novices and postulants talking about their discernments and realizing how everything works out in God’s timing. The scavenger hunt and exploring the Motherhouse also helped.
- Adoration. I love the journal and the readings from the Bible to help with meditation and growing closer to Jesus.
- being able to see the sisters in their everyday lives at the convent, that they live happy lives in community
- I found the personal stories and advice that each sister gave was helpful. This added a sense of realness that people go through.
- The most helpful was all the times for silent prayer in the morning or in the evenings. It was a good way to start our day and get back to holy hours. I have been neglecting.
- The Holy Hours and meals with the sisters. The scavenger hunt was very fun and all the opportunities for us to see all that the Sisters do.
Called to discern Franciscan life? We invite you.
