CHAPTER 3 - PENNSYLVANIA
Sister Jane de Chantal, named after foundress of her order, was prioress of the little Salesian monastery in Brodheadsville Pennsylvania. Approximately sixty years of age, but with a youthful face and slightly spreading midriff, the nun performs her duties competently, but was always glad to have Brother Francis return from his trips to Asia and other places. Not only was their small monastic community complete again upon his return, but Brother Francis resumed leadership as the community’s abbot, to her relief. Even though all members wear grey tunics with a navy blue scapular or cloth panel down the front and back, each member of the monastic community is unique. The nuns wear a blue veil and the monks have a cowl or hood attached to their scapular at the back of the neck.
Sister Scholastica is a woman gently approaching fifty years of age. Her bristly salt and pepper hair is often in need of being pushed back under her veil. She had recently taken her solemn or life vows. Prior to her solemn profession, the nun’s mysterious past was finally, and almost completely, revealed by a series of strange events. She is a good woman of few words.
Brother Matthew is as simple and direct as Sister Scholastica is quiet and serious. Not yet thirty years of age, the young monk had given up a girlfriend in order to follow what he believed was his true calling. The situation took a tragic turn for the young girl, but he and the girl's parents still continue to correspond from time to time. Brother Benedict is dead. His younger brother in monastic life, Brother Matthew, had taken care of him during his last days. The community is still adjusting to this loss of approximately a year ago.
Clare Watson is now a postulant, a woman taking a live-in look at monastic life. Though almost completely unable to hear, she reads lips and hand gestures to the point that most people barely notice her hearing challenge. More fascinatingly, Clare is gifted with tremendous insight and intuition. She is able to sense the feelings and moods of others in a language more profound than words can convey. Perhaps her next step is to become a novice--to receive the monastic habit and to live as if she had already taken vows while studying the rule and way of life of the community—then again perhaps not.
Speaking of intuition, Madam Wu had been called to a life of ministry in that field many years before. She believes her ability to read the hearts and minds of others is a gift of the Holy Spirit and, therefore, it comes from God. She never takes a fee for her consultations, only accepting donations when appearing in a group setting. Before Brother Benedict became a monk Madam Wu was an important part of his life, but we will leave it up to her to share some of that with you if she is so inclined. The Christian clairvoyant is spending a month of retreat at the Salesian Monastery while her husband, Tian Wu, is visiting family in China.
People from the neighborhood come to pray with the community from time to time. Others from far and near come to spend a few days or longer in silence and contemplation. At the moment there are no other retreatants than the ever-fascinating Madam Wu living with the community.