In the shadow of the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Los Angeles, a group of nuns rise at midnight and walk to their chapel. As they do every night, they lift their voices in prayer and praise in the dark stillness of the new day.
These nuns, the Franciscan Poor Clares of Santa Barbara, are unique along with other contemplative religious orders in their calling to live a life of prayer, rather than outside work. "Prayer is her first work," says their website, of the Poor Clare nun.
Working in Silence
Whether they work in the monastery kitchen, sewing room, or garden; whether it be creating floral arrangements to adorn the altar, or caring for the watch dogs, the nun works in contemplative silence.
The sisters' hidden life is not always understood by the general public. This sentiment was echoed by Pope Benedict XVI several years ago, when he said, "Public opinion does not always acknowledge the silent commitment of those who, like you, try to put the Gospel ‘sine glossa' [without glossing it over or obscuring its meaning] into practice with simplicity and joy. But, be certain, the contribution that you make to the apostolic and missionary work of the Church in the world is truly extraordinary…."
While many religious communities have watched as their numbers have dropped in the last fifty years, traditional communities have seen growth during this time. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University published a study in 2009 that said,
"The most successful institutes in terms of attracting and retaining new members at this time are those that follow a more traditional style of religious life in which members live together in community and participate in daily Eucharist, pray the Divine Office, and engage in devotional practices together. They also wear a religious habit, work together in common apostolates, and are explicit about their fidelity to the Church and the teachings of the Magisterium."
Papal Enclosure
These Poor Clare nuns observe the Gospel life lived within the bounds of papal enclosure. This means that, except for rare occurrences, they stay within the walls surrounding their monastery. The nuns also follow the Poor Clare Colettine observance, which includes: bare feet, mendicancy (begging for what they need), perpetual fast (Lenten observance throughout the year), strict enclosure, traditional habit, and night rising for the Liturgy of the Hours.
In keeping with the sacred heritage received from Saint Francis and St. Clare, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in their chapel is an integral part of the daily horarium, or schedule of activities.
The Poor Clares of Santa Barbara were founded in 1928. The Poor Clare Nuns constitute the second branch of the Franciscan Order, founded in the thirteenth century by St. Clare under the inspiration and guidance of St. Francis of Assisi. The Poor Clares of Santa Barbara have a website at www.PoorClaresSantaBarbara.org.
These nuns, the Franciscan Poor Clares of Santa Barbara, are unique along with other contemplative religious orders in their calling to live a life of prayer, rather than outside work. "Prayer is her first work," says their website, of the Poor Clare nun.
Working in Silence
Whether they work in the monastery kitchen, sewing room, or garden; whether it be creating floral arrangements to adorn the altar, or caring for the watch dogs, the nun works in contemplative silence.The sisters' hidden life is not always understood by the general public. This sentiment was echoed by Pope Benedict XVI several years ago, when he said, "Public opinion does not always acknowledge the silent commitment of those who, like you, try to put the Gospel ‘sine glossa' [without glossing it over or obscuring its meaning] into practice with simplicity and joy. But, be certain, the contribution that you make to the apostolic and missionary work of the Church in the world is truly extraordinary…."
While many religious communities have watched as their numbers have dropped in the last fifty years, traditional communities have seen growth during this time. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University published a study in 2009 that said,
"The most successful institutes in terms of attracting and retaining new members at this time are those that follow a more traditional style of religious life in which members live together in community and participate in daily Eucharist, pray the Divine Office, and engage in devotional practices together. They also wear a religious habit, work together in common apostolates, and are explicit about their fidelity to the Church and the teachings of the Magisterium."
Papal Enclosure
These Poor Clare nuns observe the Gospel life lived within the bounds of papal enclosure. This means that, except for rare occurrences, they stay within the walls surrounding their monastery. The nuns also follow the Poor Clare Colettine observance, which includes: bare feet, mendicancy (begging for what they need), perpetual fast (Lenten observance throughout the year), strict enclosure, traditional habit, and night rising for the Liturgy of the Hours.
In keeping with the sacred heritage received from Saint Francis and St. Clare, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in their chapel is an integral part of the daily horarium, or schedule of activities.
The Poor Clares of Santa Barbara were founded in 1928. The Poor Clare Nuns constitute the second branch of the Franciscan Order, founded in the thirteenth century by St. Clare under the inspiration and guidance of St. Francis of Assisi. The Poor Clares of Santa Barbara have a website at www.PoorClaresSantaBarbara.org.
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