The Cloistered Life

I'm a cloistered nun. On the 21st I celebrate 13 years of profession.
The cloistered life is NOT selfish but in fact is one of radical, self-giving. Ultimately, it's about living a response in love to the One who made us in love.
The contemplative stands before the Face of God for the needs of all people. Her heart is as wide as eternity because it has been captivated by Christ. She is like Esther who stands before the king for her people. Even active sisters know that their work is "limited" and only God can bring good out of it. They know that without prayer and God's grace they can do nothing!
The cloistered life proclaims the truth that in the end we are made for Him, for eternal communion with the Persons of the Trinity. My constitutions say that we Dominican nuns were founded to "be free for God alone". If there was not a single soul to save, or a person to help in need, my vocation would still have relevance because it is the beginning of what our lives will be in Heaven:a life of praise, adoration and love.
We Americans like to be practical and useful and most of all to see the result of our hard work and effort. The cloistered life is a life of Faith. Sometimes people come to us and tell us that our prayers helped them but most of the time we simple trust in Him who is worthy of our trust that He is using our the offering of our lives.
A cloistered vocation is a mystery, often to even the person called and especially to her family and friends. If God is calling you to the cloister you will be satisfied with nothing else. Even the active life will not be enough for you.

~ Sister Mary Catharine