When Sister Christiana entered the Poor Clare Colettine monastery in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1993, her parents were concerned. The Poor Clares have not worn shoes since 1406, the year their 1212 order was reformed, not even socks. They wake every day at half past midnight to pray matins, and then again at 5:00 a.m. for lauds. In addition to chastity, obedience, and poverty, they vow to stay enclosed within the monastery walls for the rest of their lives.
“Does this mean she will not be able to come to me on my deathbed?” her father had asked the Mother Abbess, after learning the strict rules of enclosure. She would not. Poor Clares never leave the monastery once they’ve taken their perpetual vows, not even for funerals. The Abbess was reassuring. When you are on your deathbed, every nun here will be praying for you.
The words of the Mother Abbess brought comfort.
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