Postulancy
I'd been thinking for some months about whether I should be committing to another year here at the monastery. A part of me definitely had the sense that I would be here for a number of years more. But I also wanted to know what God is calling me to do with my life.

One Sunday in early April, during unprogrammed worship, I felt a sense of contentment and joy in my life here in a way I hadn't before. I was happy to sit in contemplation and prayer, and grateful for a place where it is safe -- and encouraged -- to face the challenges of life and the spiritual journey. I also realized that I am eager to see things continue to develop at the monastery (garden production as well as the addition of sisters) and be a part of the communal discernment and planning.

So the idea came to me to ask Beth about becoming a postulant -- one who is considering that the monastic life might be for her and wants to continue her spiritual formation and discernment of God's call.

The next day, before I managed to get up the courage to ask Beth, she brought up the subject with me! She had been doing her own discernment about my call, and invited me to consider the postulancy. I was surprised and joyful.

So we talked some about it, and decided to have a clearness committee. After two meetings considering questions of what it means to me to be a postulant, and possible reasons not to do it, I felt clear that this is the next step for me. So, in our April Monthly (Business) Meeting, Beth and I confirmed our clarity, and made plans for an official ceremony.

In worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 11, we used the liturgy from the United Methodist Baptismal Covenant for me to reaffirm my faith and commit to spend the next year here at Amigas del Señor as a postulant. We read the Pentecost story from Acts, sang hymns about the Holy Spirit, read a couple of reflections on postulancy, and Beth invited me to "remember by baptism" with a sprinkling of water (particularly refreshing on that hot day!). It was a joyous celebration.

For me, becoming a postulant is a recognition and affirmation of God's call in my life, which seems to be leading me to the monastic life more permanently. Postulancy lasts at least a year, at the end of which I can consider becoming a novice. Sometimes monastic vows have been paralleled to getting married. Thus, the novitiate is like being engaged, and postulancy could be seen as serious dating, considering if this might be "the one," the path for my life. I hope you will celebrate with me, and keep me in your prayers as I continue to try to discern and follow God's will for my life, every day and moment, in humility and love.

Blessings from Amigas del Señor

beth