Having experienced a CLOISTER DAY or having COME FOR A CUPPA a young woman may decide that she would like to seriously pursue the possibility that she has a vocation to the Poor Clare way of life. This time of more intensive discernment is called ASPIRANCY and the Church requires that this must last at least a year. Depending on the circumstances of the individual it may consist of a series of visits to the monastery and conversations with the formation director. In our monastery, this period of time includes firstly, a twelve day LIVE-IN experience. This is always an enriching experience, both for the Community and the aspirant, and leads to further clarity on the question about whether or not God is calling her to this particular way of life. After the LIVE-IN, if the aspirant and the sister accompanying her discern together that she should continue with the aspirancy a further longer stay with the community of at least three months, will be arranged and regular contact will be kept up. If after this time it becomes clearer that a genuine call to the Poor Clare way of life is present, the aspirant may apply to become a postulant. Postulancy is the first formal STAGE OF FORMATION.
O God,
I pray that I may know You and love You
So as eternally to rejoice in You.
And if, in the present life, I cannot do so fully,
Grant that my love and knowledge may at least grow on earth
That my joy may be fully in Heaven:
A joy expected here and there fulfilled.
O Lord our Father,
You counselled or rather commanded through Your Son,
That we ask for this fullness of joy, and You promised to grant it.
I ask of You, O Lord, that which, through Your Wonder-Counsellor,
You encouraged us to ask and promised to grant:
That our joy may be full!
Let my mind meditate on this joy, my tongue speak of it,
My heart desire it, my words extol it,
My soul hunger for it, my flesh thirst for it,
My whole substance yearn for it,
Until I enter into the joy of my God
Who is Triune and One,
Blessed forever.
Amen.
