ecoming a un         

“Do you want to belong entirely to God? . . . One must desire to belong to no one else but God, and everything else follows. To live a contemplative life is nothing else but this intimacy extended to all our activities” (Mother Cécile Bruyère, first abbess of Sainte-Cécile of Solesmes).

• Aspirancy: In order to study her vocation, a woman may stay within the enclosure, participating in all the activities of the nuns.
• Postulancy: 1–2 years. The postulant wears a simple jumper and veil and is introduced to the monastic way of life.
• Novitiate: 2 years. The nun receives the habit, veil, and religious name in a simple ceremony, thus beginning her novitiate. With the postulants and temporary professed, she receives instruction in sacred Scripture, doctrine, the Rule of Saint Benedict, monastic spirituality, liturgy, Gregorian chant, Latin, and other related subjects.
• Temporary vows: At least 5 years. Upon the termination of her novitiate, the nun may be admitted to make temporary vows of stability, conversion of life in poverty and chastity, and obedience. During these years, she is more fully integrated in the work and life of the community, while continuing her studies in preparation for her final vows.
• Solemn or perpetual profession: The nun gives herself definitively to Christ, receiving the cowl, the black veil, ring, and psalter—symbols of her spousal relationship with God and her mission within the Church.

Click here to read an article published in the June 2014 edition of the Vermont Catholic magazine about two of our nuns, Sister Elizabeth Rose and Sister Angelica Marie, making their solemn profession.

Click here to read an article published in the May 2011 edition of the Vermont Catholic magazine about Sister Elizabeth Rose making her temporary vows.

Click here to read an article published in the February 2011 edition of the Vermont Catholic magazine about Sister Angelica Marie making her temporary vows.