Discerning God’s call often includes being open to becoming a Franciscan Sister or becoming a Nun. One of the gifts of this discernment process is that helpful relationships among the various religious orders happens. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity can testify to having Nun friends. Sister Mary Ann Spanjers and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan recently visited the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, Belleville, Illinois. Our Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have stopped here in the past. For those who have yet to visit this monastery, it was founded in June 1986 from the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico. It is also under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe who confided to St. Juan Diego when she appeared to him in 1531: “I am a merciful Mother to all who love and trust me and call upon me.
What was unique about this special travel stop is the fact that Sister Mary Ann’s first grade teacher is happily living her vocation here. During our conversation with Sister, it was wonderful to hear childhood memories of life at St. Edward Parish, Mackville, Wisconsin. However, it was also dear to respond to the many questions about various Sisters from our own Community who were part of Sister’s life from the past.
If you haven’t been to this particular Poor Clare Monastery, the structure of the building is unique. “The round chapel crowned with the cross-form monastery living quarters, serves the cloistered lifestyle and also bears eloquent material witness to the Poor Clares’ contemplative vocation, a life of prayer and penance offered for all the world in union with the saving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.” (website description)
Being a daughter house of the Roswell foundation, the layout of the main altar is built like that in New Mexico’s monastery. The tabernacle lowers into the altar for Mass and actually is elevated for Adoration at other times like in the picture above. The Nuns who came to Belleville were chosen by God under the leadership of Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. (1921-2006). Mother Mary Francis’ words continue to be treasured and studied by religious men and women today. One such book, Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting is perfect spiritual reading for this time of Advent.
To learn more about the Poor Clares in Belleview, Illinois, a website study is a must.
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