| Q. |
Who
founded this Congregation? |
| A. |
Saint
Arnold Janssen, a German priest, who previously founded two
active missionary Congregations:
the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) for Priests and
Brothers and the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS).
The contemplative Congregation of the Holy Spirit
Adoration Sisters was his third foundation in 1896.
|
| Q. |
How
is the Congregation of Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters governed? |
| A. |
Unlike
most other cloistered-contemplative communities, the convents
are not independent. Ours
is an international Congregation under a superior general and
her council. With
this type of leadership the convents are enabled to help each
other with personnel and finances.
|
| Q. |
What
is the duration of an adoration period? |
| A. |
There
is always one or two Sisters in adoration before the exposed
Blessed Sacrament. During
the day these periods are usually about 45 minutes; during the
night they last an hour.
|
| Q. |
What
is the purpose of the grille in the chapel and convent parlors? |
| A. |
The
grille is sign and symbol of the secluded life the Sisters have
chosen to live in order to find God more completely.
The conscious renunciation of certain social advantages,
known and esteemed at their true value, frees the Sisters to
devote themselves more thoroughly to the quest for God to attend
to him more perfectly, and share to a more universal degree the
suffering and hopes of all mankind.
|
| Q. |
Do
the Sisters ever leave the enclosure? |
| A. |
Yes,
for legitimate reasons, such as medical treatment.
|
| Q. |
How
often are the Sisters permitted visits from family members and
close friends? |
| A. |
Three
times a year. Special considerations is given in cases when
visitors come from out of town.
|
| Q. |
Do
the Sisters vote in civil election? |
| A. |
Yes.
The Sisters may leave the enclosure to vote or, more
commonly, they vote by Absentee Ballot.
|
| Q. |
Do
the Sisters wear the rose-colored habit when they leave the
enclosure? |
| A. |
The
Sisters wear a gray habit when they leave the enclosure.
The rose-colored habit is worn only within the cloister.
|
| Q. |
What
are the regulations regarding fasting? |
| A. |
The
community fasts together several times a year.
However, personal fasting is left to the discretion of
each Sister.
|
| Q. |
Do
the Sisters watch television? |
| A. |
The
use of television is limited to circumstances of a religious
nature, in keeping with the Church’s norms for
cloistered-contemplative religious.
|
| Q. |
How
are the Sisters informed about current events? |
| A. |
The
Sisters get the daily newspaper.
The daily newscast from the radio may also be taped and
played when the community is assembled together.
|
| Q. |
What
kind of work do the Sisters do?
How do they support themselves? |
| A. |
Besides
ordinary household chores, the Sisters have a correspondence
apostolate by which they acknowledge the many letters received
every day from people requesting their prayerful support.
People can also be enrolled in Masses and the prayers of
the Sisters, and a certificate inscribed and issued upon
request. These
enrollment cards besides the good-will offerings, which many
people include with their prayer requests, are the main support
of the Sisters.
|
| Q. |
Do
the Sisters take a vow of silence? |
| A. |
The
Sisters do not take a vow of silence, but have a rule of
silence. However,
it is always permitted to say what is necessary for the sake of
charity and work performance.
There are two recreation periods a day.
|
| Q. |
What
do the Sisters do during the recreation periods? |
| A. |
A
variety of things: some prefer to work on crafts and hobbies as
they share conversation with each other.
Others like to play games indoors or, weather permitting,
to take part in more active games outdoors.
|
| Q. |
What
is the Sisters’ Schedule? |
| A. |
5:15
a.m. |
Arising |
|
5:45
a.m. |
Morning
Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) |
|
|
Meditation
Period |
|
7:00
a.m.
|
Eucharistic
Celebration |
|
|
Breakfast |
|
|
Office
of Readings and Midmorning Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) |
|
|
Assigned
Duties |
|
11:45
a.m.
|
Midday
Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours)
|
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
Midafternoon
Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) |
|
|
Free
Hour |
|
|
Assigned
Duties |
|
3:15
p.m.
|
Coffee
Break |
|
|
Assigned
Duties |
|
4:00
p.m.
|
Evening
Prayer (Vespers) & Benediction (Sundays)
|
|
5:00
p.m.
|
Evening
Prayer (Vespers) & Benediction (weekdays)
|
|
|
Assigned
Duties |
|
6:30
p.m.
|
Supper |
|
|
Community
Recreation |
|
|
Night
Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) |
|
Daily
each Sister has a 45 minute period before the Blessed Sacrament,
and one hour for personal prayer and spiritual reading.
|
| Q. |
What
are the requirements for entrance into the Congregation? |
| A. |
-
Sound physical and mental health |
|
-
Adequate maturity of character |
|
-
At least a high school diploma |
|
-
Basic understanding of the Catholic Faith and desire to follow
Christ in chastity, poverty,
and obedience |
|
-
Aptitude
for community living |
|
-
An appreciation and desire for the cloistered contemplative life |
