Post Corpus Christi Blessings: Aspirant Renae Arrives!

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

In addition to Jesus’ Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, the week of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi brought us many other blessings as well, large and small, from resuming the use of holy water fonts in Chapel, to beautiful flower blossoms, and last, but not least, to the joyful arrival of our Aspirant Renae. The Lord never ceases his …

The Laboure Society and Rescuing Vocations

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations, Video

The Labouré Society, faith, finances, and following Christ It’s common knowledge that many young people graduating college are saddled with large debts and are hampered in their job search and getting a good start in life. But did you know it also has an impact on vocations? A discerning candidate to the seminary or religious life can face years of delay …

Special Welcome on the Day of Mary’s Fiat

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations

On the Solemnity of the Annunciation, in the Year of Saint Joseph and the Amoris Laetitia Family, we welcome Postulant Maria as she joined our religious family in residence, giving her own, “Fiat!” on this beautiful Feast. After persevering through a COVID-challenged Aspirancy, she came on March 25th to begin wearing the wine red colors of one dedicating her life …

A Perfect Day To Say “Fiat!”

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations

March 2021 is full of wonderful Feasts and Solemnities during Lent that orient us best to this liturgical season while pointing ahead to the Resurrection Joys of Easter. On March 17th we recall the Saint of the Emerald Isle, Saint Patrick, and the bloodless conversion of the Irish that followed in his wake. Just two days later, the Solemnity of …

A Typical Monastery Christmas

A HandmaidNews, HISTORY, HPB Vocations

COVID-19 can’t kill Christmas 2020 COVID-19 may have radically changed 2020 but it can’t really touch what we celebrate at Christmas, or rather WHO we celebrate at Christmas. Certainly the “how” has been modified for many. So let’s remember Jesus as we share what it’s like as a typical monastery Christmas approaches. We have told you some of these customs …

Cartoon Come and Sees during COVID

COVID COME AND SEES

A HandmaidHPB Vocations, News

Vocations News: Coping with COVID-19 and Come and Sees Yes, 2020 has been quite a year. We managed to get in a couple visits with inquiring women before COVID became a byword and seeming harbinger of all that could go wrong with the year 2020. By lockdown in March it was hoped a few weeks would be sufficient to dispel the …

Religious Symbols: Side Rosary

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations, Vocation Snippet

Many religious, male and female, wear a side Rosary with their habit. Some can be rather large, others small. While Handmaids have had some minor variations in the wear of our side Rosary, we have always had them as a necessary part of the habit, not just as an accessory but as an essential to our spiritual life. Our Founder …

RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS: WHITE VEIL

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations, Vocation Snippet

If you are a lifelong Catholic and encountered religious sisters over the years, you may have noticed that in some communities that the color of the veil can signify whether the sister has been professed or not. Not infrequently over the years, Handmaids have been asked about our white veils by others assuming they are speaking to a novice or …

Yes, the Crown of Thorns is real.

Religious Symbols: Crown of Thorns

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations, Vocation Snippet

When we take our final vows, part of the ceremony is receiving and wearing a crown of thorns. A real one. We use pyracantha (otherwise called, very appropriately, firethorn) to fashion the crown. Since our veils are white, symbolizing the Eucharist, the Mother Prioress tries not to draw any blood either through the thorns or when pinning the crown to …