Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Tonapah, AZ.)

UPDATE: The construction of the new monastery building has begun as of January 2020
The Poor Clares of Tonapah, Arizona are a group of contemplative nuns dedicated to perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. These cloistered nuns journeyed from Alabama to the desert of Arizona in 2005 to start a new foundation of the Poor Clares called Our Lady of Solitude. They were  originally part of the community of Our Lady of the Angels in Alabama (Mother Angelica's community) before heading out West, and are fondly known as the 'Desert Nuns"

Update: The monastery building is completed and the nuns have moved in. There is room for 16 nuns so there is 8 to 10 cells still empty. Did I say 'cells' ? 😊

The Poor Clares are Franciscan nuns, and are followers of St. Clare (a spiritual companion of St Francis of Assisi). In 2005 these 'Desert Nuns' literally started from scratch. Today a large chapel has been built as well as retreat houses. A large monastery is in the works that will house 16 nuns and then later expanded to house an additional 12- that is the plan. My understanding is that the nuns occupy the retreat house until the monastery is built. Interested parties should go directly to the Poor Clares site online at  http://desertnuns.com/  

Some of the vocational guidelines include the following:

Have a high school diploma.
Be between the ages of 18 and 35.
Strong devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament.
Good physical, emotional, and psychological health.

For more information one should contact the nuns directly by clicking on the link provided above where you can email them. Or write to the abbess by post at:

Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration
Mother Marie Andre PCPA Superior
Our Lady of Solitude Monastery
PO Box 639
Tonapah, AZ. 85354

Tonapah is about an hour west of Phoenix, Arizona. To get precise directions one should contact the nuns directly.

                                                                    

                                                                              
                                                                                      
                                                                            
                                                                              

Children Of Mary (Newark, Ohio)

Children of Mary is a traditional community- situated on a large tract of wooded land in central Ohio. They are considered semi-contemplative. This is a rather new community (under 20 years old) in Newark, Ohio, and is under the guidance of Bishop Campbell in the Diocese of Columbus.
This is a young and very traditional group of sisters, whose spirituality is centered on the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

At the head of this community is Mother Margaret Mary (photo above), who lived for years as a solitary hermit before forming the Children of Mary (order and rule approved in 2002). Chosen as patron saints of this order are Saint John Paul II, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (the Little Flower), Saint John Vianny, and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The daily schedule includes daily mass at 9am, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and chanting morning, evening and night prayers. You rise at 6:00 am, and lights out at 10:00 pm. For the full schedule and much more information on this fast growing community please go to their website located here: www.childrenofmary.net    

                                                                              

            

        
Contact information:

Children Of Mary Sisters
8353 Pleasant Chapel Rd.
Newark, Ohio 43056               Telephone: 740-323-1977

e-mail: childrenofmary@juno.com