First Thanksgiving in the Convent
Our postulants are celebrating their first Thanksgiving in the convent this year. For the first time, they are experiencing the many beautiful things that are part of this meaningful holiday in a religious community: deciding what delicious side dish or dessert they want to contribute to the meal—perhaps a family recipe that they can now share in community. Preparing decorations, setting the table, signing up for stovetop and oven timeslots as we all share a small kitchen space. Participating in community prayer and Mass as the center of our Thanksgiving Day. Enjoying the Thanksgiving meal together, and sharing time, presence, and stories. Washing dishes, and giving thanks.
New circumstances mean new reasons to give thanks. Henri Nouwen wrote: “We are grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment.” In some ways, this echoes Saint Paul when he said, “In all circumstances give thanks” (1 Thess 5:16). The time of postulancy and formation is a time when each one comes to know and understand more deeply what has led her to this present moment, and learns to gives thanks for all of it because it has all been part of the salvation that God is bringing about in her life.
While much will be new about Thanksgiving this year—the people, the places, the traditions, even some of the food—gratitude is the golden thread that runs from one year to another, and that will carry us forward into the next year, too. Happy Thanksgiving from the postulants!
A Note from Sr. Amanda Marie who Is in Rome Preparing for her Perpetual Profession
Before a Sister makes her perpetual profession, she spends some months in Rome where our congregation began, along with other Sisters from around the world. Sister Amanda Marie, from our province, as well as some other sisters, are spending several months learning Italian before their course of preparation begins. From her Thanksgiving Day note: “In the spirit of the season, I wanted to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the many ways you continue to support me throughout my time in Rome (it’s hard to believe I’ve been here for three months now!) I thank God for each and every one of you! We are fifteen sisters in our perpetual profession group, although we have yet to all be in the same room together. Our course of preparation officially begins on February 2. Thank you for your prayers for us as we try to wrap our heads around Italian prepositions and (much more importantly) bend our minds to the grace of God who calls us to follow Jesus Master even more closely. These photos are just a few of the highlights of my journey so far.”
Thanksgiving Day Photos from Around the Province
