Following a fruitful fraternal visitation during the second week of February, the Camaldolese nuns of Poppi, Italy, voted to let the three of us transfer our vows to their community. We are very grateful for their welcome and we look forward to developing a closer relationship with them. The photo above shows Sister Graziana, Prioress of Poppi, Father Alessandro, Father General of the Camaldolese and immediate superior of the nuns, together with our community in the refectory. Absent from the photo is Father Cyprian, Prior of the Camaldolese community in Big Sur, CA, who came as interpreter and took the picture.
In the wee hours of last Monday morning, our beloved Monk went to meet his Maker. He showered all and sundry with his unconditional love, whether they wanted it or not, although as he got older, he became more sensitive to those who wanted him to keep his distance. His pure, impartial affection was a constant role model for us humans who keep forgetting how to love one another. During the past few months, his hind legs had become progressively weaker, apparently a common ailment in elderly labs. As his left hind leg lost all muscle tone and feeling, he continued to enjoy life on three legs. Our vet said there was a tumor on his spine, but didn’t know how fast it would progress. On Friday the 13th, Monk was his usual ebullient self and had a great day. He was able to hop into the car for a ride and came to Compline after supper. Early Saturday morning, he collapsed on the grass. The tumor had affected the right hind leg, and he needed help to walk the few steps back inside, where he lay down, began shaking violently and then didn’t move for 24 hours. On Sunday, he was more alert and even walked a few steps, but then rapidly became weaker and died during the night, sparing us the heart-rending decision to “put him to sleep”. May his joyful, loving nature continue to inspire us. Rest in peace, sweet sweet boy.
He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Like everyone else in New York State, we are being asked to self-isolate, which is allowing us to enjoy an unplanned retreat: nothing to do, nowhere to go, just be here and be present to the Presence that is all around us, especially in our beautiful natural surroundings. The scheduled guests, groups and retreats have all cancelled, so we have time to read, regroup, go for long walks, catch up on this and that and reconnect with family and friends via phone and the Internet.
The monastery, like the rest of the Church, is subject to the ban on public Masses. We sisters could have continued to have Mass with Fr. Dwyer, our chaplain, but since he is allowed to say only a private Mass, excluding the few people from the outside who might show up, we didn’t think it was fair for us to have Mass while everyone else was deprived. We would have been setting ourselves apart as a kind of elite, based on the fact that we are nuns, and that didn’t seem right. Many of our friends are feeling that the Church has abandoned them at a time when they most need spiritual sustenance. In solidarity with them, we have decided not to attend Mass until such time as the ban on public Masses has been lifted. Fr. Dwyer has continued to say daily Mass alone, in our chapel. Yesterday, he brought up the fact that he could have one acolyte, a role usually filled by one of the sisters, but because we feel strongly about our position, he has asked a local Knight of Columbus who often serves at Mass during the week to join him. We continue to offer our prayer and our lives for the healing of the human race and of our planet.
Srs. Donald, Sheila, Miriam, congratulation for a successful transfer of your vows to the Camaldolese Benedictine Community. I learned about the Camaldolese during and after the last regional retreat of Oblates in Holy Cross Monastery West Park, NY. Our regional Oblate retreat was a great opportunity for me to meet Fr. Cyprian . The retreat left a positive spiritual impact on me. By the way when is the next regional Oblate retreat? Please let us know so that Bola and I can plan ahead.
After our last regional Oblate retreat I had read about the Camaldolese spirituality within the larger context of the Benedictine spirituality. I missed Fr. Cyprian. I learned a lot from him during the regional Oblate retreat in West park, NY. If I knew he was around, I would have come over to the Transfiguration Monastery to say hello. Perhaps, I would have helped with the photographs so that he could be in the picture too! Anyway, God’s will is the best! I will also miss our beloved Monk, who had gone to jojn his Maker. May the Monk rest in profound peace. God bless you Srs. Donald, Sheila, and Miriam. Bola and I love you for your work and service to Christ in our area. God loves you! God bless.
Wonderful news, Sisters, on the transfer of your vows to the Camaldolese in Poppi Italy. And sad but touching news regarding your dog Monk. We will miss him. Love to you all. Pray for us in communion during these challenging days!
Dear Sheila and Sisters, So saddened to hear about Monk. Was hoping Pip and I would be making another road trip to themonastery this Spring. Now Monk is Free to run and romp and fetch to his heart’s content withPain Free. I believe he is at the Rainbow Bridge with all my faithful canine companions that have crossedover in year’s past. I know Your prayers have kept me safe and –in God’s hands– since last we gathered for prayer in 2017, the year of my diagnosis. I have listed a recent link to an article about my Cancer Road Trip to Transfiguration Monastery.https://cancerroadtrip.com/a-benedictine-retreat/ Let me know that you can open.
Blessings To You All During This Difficult Time – especially with the added loss of your/our ever FaithfulCompanion, Monk. He stays forever in my heart! Virtual Hugs All-Around – Stay Safe – Stay Well – and Please Keep Praying for us All! Bev & Pip
Dear Bev, Thank you so much for your comment. I loved your article! I hope you and Pip will be able to visit again when this is all over. Stay well. Love & prayers & hugs, Sister Sheila
The Eucharistic Fast is indeed difficult. May it increase our love and yearning for the sacred mysteries. Monk was a blessing..Love always is. Great news about Poppi..God is faithful.
Thank you for this note today..I am very happy to see Sister Donald looking well and you all look well in this surreal time.
I have wanted to come to the convent or at least have FaceTime or a Zoom conversation..If you can let me know about that Sister Donald, ..I would really appreciate it.
Blessings to all
Bettina Del Sesto
thank you for all these happy posts. Congratulations upon your affiliation with the Camaldolese. Will you also retain some official connection with the Benedictines?
A loving description on Monk’s life and last days–it moved me.
And regarding your decision to deny yourselves Mass in solidarity with the lay world, all I can think of are the words generous, courageous, and creative!
Best hopes for us all,
Joan (Binzen)
May be of interest to you, if you’ve not already learned, that the government of Italy put out a call in the last few days, for volunteer doctors to help out where there is local need. There were 700+ responses from doctors of all ages and from all over the country. 300 will be chosen to form a cohort which will be sent north in the most stressed areas.
On Sun, Mar 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM Transfiguration Monastery News wrote:
> frohdog posted: ” Following a fruitful fraternal visitation during the > second week of February, the Camaldolese nuns of Poppi, Italy, voted to let > the three of us transfer our vows to their community. We are very grateful > for their welcome and we look forward to developin” >
Praise God for His wondrous ways!
I’m so terribly sorry to hear about Monk. His was a lovely soul, a happy innocent in just the right place. Sr. Donald told me he had passed on.
Are you moving to Italy?
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
No, staying right here. But since there are so few of us, we have to be under a larger community, and they very generously offered to take us on as a dependent priory. Are you okay? Hoe about your family?
Dear Sisters Sheila, Miriam and Donald, Thank you so much for your post. The news about the new affiliation with the Camaldolese made me very happy. I know you will bring much to one another.
Of course, I was saddened by the news of Monk’s death. I wasn’t surprised; when I was with you in January, it was clear that he was having a great deal of trouble walking. I’m glad, though, that he died at home, and that you weren’t faced with the wrenching decision about ending his life. What a gift he was, not only to you, but to all who had the joy to meet him!
The virus has changed all of our lives radically. Mine has become busier in some ways, since there are new needs in the parish and neighborhood community. Those of us involved are trying to find new ways to meet some of those needs. Our interfaith group — the Interfaith Coalition of Brooklyn — is contacting as many people as possible, inviting them to join each Wednesday at 12:30 for 15 minutes of prayer, wherever we are. Each of us will join in prayer to the God all of us worship, remembering not only our immediate families and communities, but all of our sisters and brothers impacted by the virus. Then, on Sunday, we are going to have a Zoom program — part of our ongoing Abraham’s Table series — on healing. There will be 3 brief talks, by Muslim, Christian and Jewish speakers.
I’m so glad the “lockdown” has brought you an opportunity for more quiet, reading, silence. I ask our gracious God to give you joy in this, and to keep you well.
With much love,
Celia
I miss my time at the Monastery and pray for you daily!
We miss you too!!!