An ancient order of enclosed Irish nuns have embraced social media in efforts to attract young women into their vocation.
The Poor Clares based in Colettine Monastery in Co. Cork launched their website on Sunday to mark the 800th anniversary of its foundation. The nuns take vows of poverty, chastity, prayer and obedience. Upon entering the monastery, they never leave and only see their families three-times a year.
Eight nuns live a life of solitude in the Poor Clare Colettine Monastery on College Rd in Cork.
"It was a community decision. We’re dipping our toes in," the mother abbess, Sr Colette Marie told the Irish Examiner.
"If a girl feels like she has a vocation, the first place she’s likely to look these days is on the Internet or Google.
"We don’t want the website to draw attention to us. We want it to draw attention to the Lord."
Sister Francis, who celebrated her silver jubilee in 2009 agreed with the sentiment.
"We are slow to take new steps. It is not the essence of our lives to be involved in social media. But it is the herald of today,” she said.
Bishop John Buckley, who attended the 800th anniversary celebrations in Cork on Sunday described the monastery as a "haven of prayerfulness".
"Poor Clares are loved by generations of Cork people," he said.
A video crew filmed their Sunday rosary and benediction for the first time recently, see the videos below.
Evening Prayer - Part 1: The Holy Rosary:
Evening Prayer - Part 2: Benediction:
3 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Collette2 | Mar 21, 2012, 02:25 AM EDT
They maybe a haven of prayer but they're a hive of activity have a great sense of humour, are wily and love a game of cards, and good at it to! Thought I should mention it just in case a potential candidate comes across this site. Go for it girls!
ciaradexy | Mar 20, 2012, 01:47 PM EDT
Irishcoffeekid, so where are all these people who are praying? Around 20% of the Irish population attend church, the vast majority of which are elderly. Dya reckon these elderly ladies are gonna sign up?
irishcoffeekid | Mar 20, 2012, 12:06 PM EDT
I wonder is there any research that shows the number of vocations rise when the job market is down. Seems to me that people are doing so much praying right now to get a job, some of them might find their prayers answered through vocations! Remains to be seen how many people will genuinely consider it because of a "calling" - question is who's calling now - escaping to an enclosed order might be a great way to get away from listening to the fodder the government are chucking out right now!