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| Community Profile |
| Poor Clare Colettine Nuns, Corpus Christi Monastery |
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| Community Information |
No. in community (professed members) | 19 |
Year founded | 1916 |
Generalate/ motherhouse | Autonomous |
Province/federation | Autonomous |
Represented in US (Arch)dioceses | Rockford, IL |
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| About Us |
Mission statement/description
The Poor Clare Colettine Nuns of Corpus Christi Monastery follow a tradition of eight centuries of enclosed monastic life of prayer and penance according to the Primitive Rule of St. Clare of Assisi and the reform of St. Colette of Corbie.
With childlike trust in the Lord’s promise to their foundress, Ego vos semper custodiam (“I will always protect you”), the sisters live a radical Gospel poverty. As pilgrims and strangers on earth the sisters renounce all earthly possessions and rely entirely on God’s providence for their livelihood.
Having experienced the boundless love and care of the Father of Mercies, the sisters freely embrace this life of prayer and penance as their apostolate in the heart of the Church. By their hidden offering they are the co-workers of Christ Himself and the mothers of countless souls.
In the monastery, the nuns’ entire lives are centered around the Eucharist privately exposed on their cloister altar. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours are continually being offered so that the whole course of the world’s day and night may be consecrated to God. Hence, the sisters have maintained the unbroken tradition of rising after midnight for the Office of Readings.
As members of the Order of penance, the sisters identify with the poor by their humble manual labor, and by living very frugally. A perpetual lenten fast and going barefoot are corporal penances undertaken in solidarity with those who suffer hunger and are deprived of the most basic necessities in life. The Franciscan habit of penance in the form of a cross is a constant reminder to share in the mystery of the Passion of Christ and the outward sign of their consecration.
As faithful followers of St. Francis, St. Clare and St. Colette, who promised obedience to the pope and the Roman Church, the Poor Clare Nuns of Corpus Christi Monastery are loyal to the Holy Father and the eager to implement instructions and guidelines issued by the Holy See.
Their monastic community is composed of both cloistered nuns and extern sisters united in ideals and a simple family spirit. |
Qualifications for entry
A wholehearted desire to follow the Poor Christ unreservedly according to the demands of the Gospel in a hidden life of prayer and penance; a teachable heart and readiness to learn; a high school diploma; normal health of mind and body and good emotional and psychological stability; a willingness to leave all to respond to God's call. |
Formation program
The period of formation preceding the final commitment by solemn vows is comprised of three stages: postulancy, noviceship and temporary vows. During this time care is taken to form the whole person in faith and the contemplative life in the cloister according to the Poor Clare charism. Special attention is given to foster a healthy and balanced human development and growth in holiness.
Each member is assisted during initial formation to understand the tenor of our life and to assimilate it at her own pace in order to make a free, total, and radical offering of herslf in solemn vows.
On-going formation continues during the whole time of each sister’s life as she strives daily to renew her self-offering to the Lord. |
Age range/limit
18-40 |
Consider belated vocations?
No |
Belated/late vocations explanation
Belated vocations are rarely considered. |
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Institute on Religious Life, P.O. Box 7500, Libertyville, IL 60048-7500
Tel: (847) 573-8975 - Fax: (847) 573-8960 |
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