Benedictine Abbey Of Regina Laudis (Bethlehem, Connecticut)

                                                                

The nuns of the Abbey of Regina Laudis are a contemplative community of about 37 members. Founded in 1947 the abbey is based on the rule of St Benedict and is located in Bethlehem, Connecticut.


                                                              

This is a contemplative community whose abbey rests on 400 lovely acres in west-central Connecticut. It is a lively and well organized community and functions somewhat like a little town (in a sense) with everything it needs to operate smoothly. It has it's own dairy and sheep herds which provides for the needs of the nuns, and to complete the 'little town' they also engage in the following:
Blacksmithing & metalworks
Sculpture
pottery
candle-making
gardening and composting
cheese-making
making jams, jellies, herbal teas, wooden objects, stained glass ornaments,
making CD's of Gregorian Chant
Leather goods, etc...

                                                                

                                  








This is the community of Dolores Hart- the former movie actress who was at the top of her profession when she shocked Hollywood by becoming a Benedictine nun at the age of 24. One of her first roles was opposite Elvis in the 1950's but, like she wrote in one of her published books- "God Is the Bigger Elvis". Yes she's still at the Abbey and is known as Mother Dolores.


                                                            
                

                                                               Mother Dolores Hart


Another interesting member of this community is Mother Noella Marcellino who was the subject of a PBS documentary and known- although she hated the name- as 'The Cheese Nun'. She is a cheese expert and has a PhD in Microbiology.

The members of this community:
Pray the Hours
Observe periods of silence
Are assigned work within the abbey or abbey grounds
Sing Gregorian Chant, etc...

One should contact the Abbey for more information which is provided below. Or go to their website online here: abbeyofreginalaudis.org

Bennedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis
273 Flanders Rd.
Bethlehem, Connecticut 06751                      Tel: 203-266-7727

Disciples Of the Lord Jesus Christ (Prayer Town, Texas)

                                                                        

The Disciples Of the Lord Jesus Christ is a Franciscan charismatic community of 30+ nuns from Prayer Town, Texas (about 45 miles NW of Amarillo). They are considered an active-contemplative community. A key word here is 'charismatic' which means they practice the gifts from the Holy Spirit. There are very few charismatic groups of nuns, so I had to include this one because in all respects they are a traditional community who wear full habits, pray the hours, and follow the 3rd Order Franciscan rule. Their daily schedule is as follows:
5:30am   Rise
6:00am   Morning Prayer (sung)
6:30am   Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
7:15am   One hour of Private Prayer
8:15am   Breakfast In Silence
9:00am   Morning Work Areas
12:00pm Angelus and Midday Prayer (sung)
12:15pm Lunch In Silence
1:00pm   Prayer (Exposition Of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel)
2:00pm  Afternoon Work Areas
4:30pm   Evening Prayer (sung) with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5:30pm   Dinner with Table Reading or Reflection
Free Time
8:15pm   Night Prayer (sung) Followed by Grand Silence
10:00pm  Lights Out

Requirements:

Ages 18 to 40
High School Diploma
Fidelity to the Holy Father and the Catholic Church
Openness to the Gifts Of the Holy Spirit
Sound physical, mental, and emotional health
etc...
For more information of the sisters activities and mission go to their website: dljc.org

                                                                              

                                                     Four of the novices in white veils



Sister Christine Marie DLJC
Vocation Directress

P O Box 64                                                              
Prayer Town, TX. 79010-0064                                                         Tel:  806-567-3048