Community Profile

Cistercian Nuns, Valley of Our Lady Monastery Sr. Aleydis Johnson, O.Cist. Vocation Directress E11096 Yanke Dr Prairie du Sac, WI 53578-9737 vocations@nunocist.org www.nunocist.org

Community Information

International? 22 countries No. in community (professed members) 19 Year founded 1957 Generalate/ motherhouse Rome Province/federation Autonomous Represented in US (Arch)dioceses Madison, WI

About Us

Mission statement/description Founded in 1098, the Order of Citeaux is one of the Church's ancient monastic orders. The sources of Cistercian monasticism are the Sacred Scriptures, <em>the Rule</em> of St. Benedict, <em>the traditions</em> of the Desert Fathers, the spirituality</em> of our own 12th century Fathers, and <em>the treasury</em> of lived wisdom handed-on by each succeeding generation of monks and nuns. Our daily life is a balanced alternation between the Divine Office prayed in Latin with Gregorian Chant, lectio divina, and manual labor. Silence, solitude in community, ascetic practices, the cultivation of continual interior prayer, together with the monastic vows of obedience, stability and unceasing conversion, are the means by which we hope to attain to purity of heart, tranquility of mind and spiritual union with God. Monastic life is a radical participation in the self-emptying of Christ which transforms humanity and the cosmos into the New Creation. Qualifications for entry Preferably two years college or work experience. Good physical and psychological health. Emotional maturity and stability. Ability to relate well with others. Capacity for solitude and silence. Willingness to surrender one's self to God in all things. Formation program One year as a posulant and one year as a novice are followed by three years in temporary vows. In-house studies include Latin, Gregorian Chant, Scripture, Monastic History, the Rule of St. Benedict, Liturgical, Sacramental and Monastic Theology and Doctrine. Age range/limit 21-35 Consider belated vocations? No Belated/late vocations explanation Ordinarily no one is accepted over the age of 35.