Chapter One continued

We were introduced to the Mother General (on our knees) who said some kind welcoming words. After we left that office we were ushered into the back of the most beautiful chapel I had ever seen. As the Eucharist shone down on us from its golden monstrance, I found myself echoing my father’s words, “God help me”.


Then we were outside in the garden on this lovely June afternoon. The parents and guests of the new postulants were trying to appreciate the sumptuous repast set out for their enjoyment. Many mothers were clinging to their daughters tearfully. I could really understand it. While I had graduated college and taught a year, most of “my crowd” (as we were designated) hadn’t even graduated high school. There were over 90 of us – planning to be accepted by the Order after the six months of the postulancy. . .I regarded it as a forever commitment, not just a try-it-out-and-see kind of venture. But that wasn’t the case for all. I heard many a parent (mostly the fathers) saying, “You just call me if you don’t like it here and I’ll come and get you right away.”

Well, we all start new ventures in our own way. As I had no parents or guests with me, I was passed and introduced from one group to another until there was a familiar face. A sweet girl whom I knew from Florida before she entered, rescued me and we had a pleasant time catching up. She was looking forward to December and getting the habit. It grew late and the nuns went off to prayer, the postulants on sort of a sightseeing trip were led up the grand staircase to the dorms on the third floor.