Welcome our new postulant, Paule
Paule receiving her prayer books and apron - Ora et Labora
At Evening Prayer on January 6, our community was blessed with the entrance of a postulant, Paule Barbeau. A native of French Canada, Paule has been studying and working most recently in South Carolina.
Sister Lois places the Postulant Cross around Paule's neck
The Rite of Entrance as a Postulant marks the moment when a woman steps across the threshold into the Chapel – and into the the life of the monastery.
As an Affiliate, she visits and communicates with the Sisters, but it is not until the Postulant stage that she leaves behind her job, home, and previous way of life in to, in the old language that is still so accurate, “try her vocation” at the monastery.
After making her request to enter, the Prioress places a Benedictine cross around her neck, the symbol she will wear during her time as a postulant to show her membership with the community. She is entrusted to the care of the Postulant Director, Sister Michelle, who tells her that this is a School of the Lord’s Service where we pray – and we work.
As symbols of this Benedictine spirituality, she receives her Prayer books from Sister Lois and an apron from Sister Michelle. The community then proceeds in statio for Evening Prayer.
If you meet Paule on your next visit to the monastery, please greet her and welcome her into the community.
i hope you’ll pass along my good wishes to Paule. She, and all the sisters and oblates, are always in my prayers.
I sure will – thank you for responding to her so quickly – which is just like you!