Community Profile

Poor Clare Nuns - Federation of Mary Immaculate Mother M. Clare of Jesus P.C.C. Abbess 215 E. Los Olivos Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3605 805-682-7670 www.poorclaressantabarbara.org

Community Information

International? In 40 countries No. in community (professed members) 13 Year founded 1928 Generalate/ motherhouse Santa Barbara Monastery is autonomous. Protomonastery: Assisi, Italy Province/federation Federation of Mary Immaculate in U.S.A. Represented in US (Arch)dioceses Los Angeles, CA

About Us

Mission statement/description The Order of Poor Clare Colettines is an institute of the enclosed contemplative life ordained in a special way for the praise and worhip of God. This is fulfilled principally through daily Mass, celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours seven times a day (this includes midnight rising), and Eucharistic adoration. It is a Gospel form of life striving to give witness to Christ praying on the mountain, to uphold by prayer and sacrifice the work of pastors in the Church, and to share in the most universal way the hardships, miseries, and hopes of all mankind. Qualifications for entry Single, practicing Catholic woman, good physical and mental health, sufficient psychological and emotional maturity. Minimum of a high school education (or the equivalent). Free of financial and/or family obligations. No dowry is required. Formation program The period of formation comprises three stages: postulancy (one full year), noviceship (one to two and a half years), and temporary vows (three years). These years of formation all take place within the monastery. Age range/limit 18-35 Consider belated vocations? Yes Belated/late vocations explanation Occasional exceptions are made for older vocations. Religious in active communities discerning a contemplative vocation are also given consideration.