It goes without saying that by living a cloistered life, we have made the choice to forego going outside our monastery walls, even for good causes, such as a liturgical or devotional event within the local Church. Because of the graces and blessings of this life, we are usually not too troubled by this fact. But our community is especially blessed to have a local Church that is mindful of our cloister and “goes the extra mile.”

Last week, the heart of Saint John Marie Vianney was in the Bay Area and was to visit various parishes for veneration by the faithful. Naturally, we could not go to Saint John Vianney, but we were asked if we wanted him to come to us! So on Thursday, our community was blessed with the privilege of a private audience. Shortly after our midday meal, instead of recreation, we met in the choir to await the arrival of Saint John Marie Vianney’s heart. When the heart arrived, the community intoned the Te Deum, then each sister had a quiet moment of veneration. To end our hour of prayer, we prayed three litanies - a litany of Saint John Vianney, a litany for priests and a litany for vocations.

We are so grateful the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Knights of Columbus who arranged this special visit, and for all our priests in our Archdiocese. Please join us in praying for all our bishops and priests, and those preparing to be ordained. May God bless them and keep them and grant them many years!