Medieval Dreams to Monastic Realities

"Come and help me build the Monastery of San Damiano, because ladies will dwell here who will glorify our Heavenly Father throughout His Holy Church by their celebrated and holy manner of life."

-Our Holy Father St. Francis speaking of Our Holy Mother St. Clare and her Sisters

It is a given that most people are aware of the Eternal Word Television Network as well as Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, AL. But what a lot of people are not aware of is that a few years ago a group of 5 Nuns from the Monastery moved to the Phoenix AZ area with the approval of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted to start a new foundation. The name of the new foundation is Our Lady of Solitude Monastery and Chapel. They moved to a temporary location in May 2005 in the Black Canyon City area. In 2006 they received a donation of 40 acres of land in Tonopah, AZ (W of Phoenix). In early 2007 they had an architectural firm begin working on the plans for their new new chapel & monastery. 30 October 2007 saw the actual groundbreaking ceremony with Bishop Olmsted. Construction is scheduled to begin in January of 2008 with a completion date of 16 months later (2009).

I know that some people are saying so what? Why do we need another group that is going to put up an expensive set of buildings to do nothing but pray? The reality is simple, groups like these Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are at the heart of the mission of the Church. Their vocation is to be intercessors for the Church & its mission. As they say on their website:

"Our life and the life of every contemplative Religious is to be lived in the Heart of the Church...intimately united in a profound solidarity with the Church and Her saving mission. Our cloistered life affords us the opportunity to "supply the ammunition of prayer" to all those priests, missionaries, and active Order Religious throughout the entire world who are stationed on the "front lines." Mother Marie of St. Clare described this aspect of our vocation in the following way: "To devote ourselves to Jesus in the Eucharist, to the Church, to the interests of the glory of God, to the extension of the Kingdom of Our Lord, these are our duties. And do not say that, because of our humility, it is too great a vocation. As adoring souls, we must lead all souls to Jesus, but principally the souls of Priests. In our holy Constitutions, in effect, we are told that we must not be content with our own sanctification, but we must make it our business to pray for the missionaries. All those who have the care of souls should be the object of our supplication. To reach sinners, holy Priests are needed; to direct chosen souls, holy Priests are needed; and for us too, for the fervor of our little Community, holy Priests are needed. Finally, who will give us Jesus in the Sacrament of Love if not the Priest?" It is precisely in this life of hidden prayer that the contemplative is a missionary - consumed with a burning desire for the salvation AND sanctification of souls. In this way "the little world of our enclosure" opens up to vast horizons of hope!"

& the rest of us need to provide financial support for them so that they are able to do what God has called them to do. In this day & age of giving God 3rd or 4th best when we even give Him anything, here is an opportunity to see that God does get the best, the 1st fruits, a place that is truly worthy of Him & entirely for His honor & glory.

The 1st & formost thing the Nuns are asking for is prayer, prayer that God will bless their efforts & provide for all they need to accomplish what God has called them to do. They are also looking for money as well as services.

The new monastery will consist of 4 componants. The 1st is the Chapel which will have 2 sections. The public section's decorum will be fashioned from the medieval times of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. It will seat about 150 people for Mass. The other part of the Chapel is for the nuns, where, unseen by the public, they will adore the Lord and pray the Divine Office, and attend Holy Mass.

2ndly there will be the Cloistered Monastery. It will be comprised of the nuns living area, complete with 28 cells (or bedrooms), refectory (dining room), community recreation room, novitiate/juniorate, sewing room, laundry, kitchen, offices, general workroom, music room, courtyard, and parlors (where we visit with our families, separated by a grille). They will only leave for necessary monastery business, doctors appointments, and civic duty.

Next is the Enclosure. The outdoor area will be separated from the public area by an enclosure wall. There they will will maintain vegetable gardens and an orchard. The cemetery for the nuns will also be located in the enclosure.

Finally there is the Extern Area. It is for the use of all those who come to visit. It will include a gift shop, reception area, public parlors, spiritual direction room, courtyard area, and living quarters for the Chaplain. Future plans for this area include a retreat center.

They have set up a special "Medieval Dreams to Monastic Realities" Website. It has information about the design of the buildings, what is needed as well as a link to enable you to donate.

I conclude with the following words of Papa Benedetto:

The only really effective apologia for Christianity comes down to two arguments, namely the saints the Church as produced and the art which has grown in her womb. Better witness is borne to the Lord by the splendor of holiness and art which have arisen in the community of believers than by the clever excuses which apologetics has come up with to justify the dark sides which, sadly are so frequent in the Church's human history. If the Church is the continue to transform and humanize the world, how can she dispense with the beauty in her liturgies, the beauty which is so closely linked with love and with the radiance of the Resurrection? No. Christians must not be too easily satisfied. They must make their Church into a place where beauty - and hence truth - is at home. Without this the world will become the first circle of Hell.

I think that says it all for why this is so important & worthy of your support.