For the past several months, we have been asking our Most High God to grant us listening and obedient hearts to hear His will for our future. Today, we stepped through that doorway into the future in a very real way.

We gathered in a room in the portion of the building that will be deconstructed and taken down, with Abbot Gregory from Conception Abbey presiding. Prayerfully, we gave thanks to all that took place in there and for all the people who walked the halls or worked or lived in the rooms (*please see prayer below).

Then, taking two bricks, we chanted a litany of our history as we walked through the halls to our main chapel.

Entering this beautiful and life-giving space, we placed the bricks in the sanctuary. We knew this would be our last Mass in this chapel until the renovations are finished.

Abbot Gregory said, “Sisters, today we take leave of the chapel during the time the monastery will be renovated. We are God’s pilgrim people, never fully at home in this world until we reach our lasting home in heaven.”

At the end of the Eucharist, the prioress took the flame from the sanctuary lamp and led us from the chapel, the doors closing one last time on our community’s procession.

This is not the end but the beginning. This is the doorway leading to our future. This is the doorway leading to life. May God be praised.

* Prayer of Thanksgiving

For all who taught, learned, ate and prayed in the Academy Classrooms, Dining Room and Chapel.

For all who served and all who were cared for in the Infirmary and Tuberculosis Rooms.

For all who prepared meals in the Infirmary Kitchen and ate in the Infirmary Dining Room.

For all who spent time in prayer and adoration in the Infirmary Chapel.

For all who meditated and prayed in the Oratory.

For all who found knowledge and inspiration in the first floor Community Library.

For all who shared and together discerned God’s will for our community in the Chapter Room.

For all who went to night adoration from the Postulants’, Novices’ and Sisters’ Dormitories.

For all who rested and prayed in our Bedrooms.

For all who recreated, ate and worked in the Postsulant’s Recreation Room, Refectory and Dishhall.

For all who slept in boxes and enjoyed fresh air on the Courtyard Porch.

For all who prayed, learned and laughed in the Novitiate Rooms.

For all who served and were served in the Guests’ Dining Room.

For all who shared their creative gifts in our veil room, embroidery department and sewing rooms.

For all who peeled, prepared popcorn or baked in Room 108 and the Bakery.

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