The Annunciation by Fra Angelico

On the memorial of the artist Blessed Fra Angelico (Br. John of Fiesole) O.P., it was our great joy to welcome Khuyen to our community as a postulant! The postulancy is the first stage of formation after entering the monastery. It lasts one year, and is a time of adaptation to Dominican monastic life. During this time, the young woman usually takes classes on the Bible, the Constitutions of the Dominican nuns, and on the history of monastic life. At the same time, she becomes integrated into the regular life of work and prayer in community. We thank God for the gift of Khuyen’s presence among us, and wish her every joy in the Lord!

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Our celebration of the Presentation of the Lord was marked in a very special way this year by the first profession of vows of Sr. Laetitia Maria of the Holy Spirit! The Eucharist began with a procession into chapel carrying freshly blessed candles, in which we were joined by her immediate family. As Pope Francis reminded us in a homily for the day, in the Christian East this day is also called the “feast of the encounter.” In a particularly close way, monastic life is a commitment to this daily, lifelong encounter with the Lord. As nuns, we seek to be attentive to the Holy Spirit—like Simeon and Anna—for the smallest signs of His Presence. Please pray for Sr. Laetitia Maria as she continues to follow Jesus in Dominican monastic life for the next three years.

Dear friends,

Happy solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary!

As we celebrate this joyful day, we just wanted to let you know that our Winter newsletter is now online, in English and French. If you're a subscriber, your copy should be arriving soon via the post.

God bless.