Novitiate Day!!!

Praised be Jesus Christ! 

We thought we'd take a quick moment to say hello. We hope you had a lovely solemnity of Christ the King last Sunday. This is a special Solemnity for us, as our Chapel is dedicated to Christ the King. It was extra special this year, since it happened to fall on the same day as Mary's Presentation in the Temple. Mary's Presentation (November 21st) is the world day of prayer for consecrated life, and a day in which the novitiate (the new sisters in the community) give themselves to the community in a special way. It's an event we all look forward to. This year, we celebrated both the Solemnity of Christ the King and the Presentation of our Lady at once.

So how does the novitiate give themselves? Every year, beginning on the eve of Mary's Presentation (November 20th), the novitiate presents an original one-act play for all the sisters. The play is written, designed, directed, and acted out by the members of the novitiate. The theme is always on Our Lady. Sometimes Herbert the Ticket seller (played by Sister Marie Elise) makes an appearance in advance to sell tickets to the sisters. However, due to Covid restrictions (in reality, Sister Marie Elise had trouble with the box office), he has been detained and his "Box Office"--literally a cardboard box--is closed until further notice. We're hoping he'll be back next year to sell his "phoney" (meaning, "leave your phone at home"), "so cheap they're free" tickets.

The following day, the novitiate decorates the refectory (theme of Our Lady), and prepares all the food for the community. Sister Marie Elise and Mother Elizabeth cooked up many delicious treats for us last Sunday. It was an extra special menu, being that it fell on Christ the King Sunday.

We would like to wish you all a very happy, safe, and blessed Thanksgiving! We are keeping you lovingly in our prayers.

Peace and blessings in Christ,

Your Sisters in the Eugene Carmel