Community Profile

Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy Mother Mary Giovanna, P.C.C. Abbess 300 N 60th St Belleville, IL 62223-3927 618-235-4407 www.poorclares-belleville.info

Community Information

No. in community (professed members) 8 Year founded 1986 Generalate/ motherhouse Autonomous Province/federation Poor Clare Federation of Mary Immaculate Represented in US (Arch)dioceses Belleville, IL

About Us

Mission statement/description These sisters are members of an enclosed contemplative order of nuns, one of the oldest in the Church, founded in 1212 by St. Clare of Assisi under the guidance and inspiration of St. Francis. St. Clare envisioned a simple life, a Gospel life, a life totally surrendered to Christ, a life offered in union with Him for the salvation of the world. It is in this spirit that her daughters strive to live this rich spiritual heritage. In solitude and silence, in persevering prayer and willing penance, in humble manual labor and contemplative study, in the intense community life of the cloister, the Poor Clare proclaims to the world that in God alone do we find hope and joy, fulfillment and peace. Qualifications for entry Single Catholic laywoman in good physical health with the desire to consecrate her life to God in the intense but joyful context of an enclosed Franciscan/Clarian contemplative community life. Formation program Initial formation begins with a year of postulancy, followed by two years of novitiate. Three years in simple temporary vows culminates in a spousal, lifelong commitment to Christ in His Church through consecration in solemn perpetual vows. Age range/limit 18-35 Consider belated vocations? Yes Belated/late vocations explanation Exceptions can be made to the usual age limit, provided there is good reason. Such candidates are examined on an individual basis, although they do not usually accept candidates over age 40.