Grace and Compassion Benedictines

Grace and Compassion Benedictines

SPIRIT AND ORIGINS

The Sisters follow the Rule of St. Benedict who lived in the 5th century. His Rule is Christ-centred, aiming at a balance, serenity and wholeness. It provides for a family in which each Sister is able to serve God with the maximum of love.

Grace and Compassion branch of the Benedictine Family was founded by Miss Mary Garson in 1954. It is monastic, centred on daily Mass, prayer and the Scriptures. The work is that of hospitality, particularly the care of the old, the sick, the poor and the disadvantaged in England and the Third World. It is developing, multinational, with lay participation.

PRAYER LIFE

We must consider how we behave in the sight of the Divine Majesty and the Angels and as we sing our Psalms let us see to it that our minds are in harmony with our voices.
(Rule of St. Benedict 19)

The Benedictine emphasis on the Divine Office and its dignified and orderly recitation make it clear that if God is worshipped and served as he is entitled to be, everything else will fall in to its rightful place.

Five times a day the Sisters come together to worship God - at Mass, at the Office of Readings combined with Morning Office, at the Day Hours, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer.

The Spirit of Prayer which penetrates the life is nourished by the Liturgy and by the half hour in the morning and half hour in the evening set aside for personal prayer, by Lectio Divina, by quietness, times of silence and by scriptural and other studies.

A special prayer is said each morning for God's blessing on priests. Lay participation in our liturgical life is an enrichment and one we encourage.

WORK

Special care is to be shown in the reception of the poor and of pilgrims, for in them especially is Christ received.
(Rule of St Benedict 53)

The work was started in Brighton in 1954 in response to the need of the aged, often badly housed and denied dignity. Now in England there are numerous Houses, some run by our dedicated lay helpers. These homes provide sheltered accommodation for the active elderly - care of the frail - the sick and the dying. Some receive visitors for holidays, and for retreats. All who come are part of our family and there is mutual sharing and enrichment.

The work in Sri Lanka is similar. We have two houses for elders there, one north of Colombo (Ja-Ela) and one south of Colombo (Melville, Moratuwa), where there is also a small farm, which helps to make it self-supporting. In India, as well as hospitality to the destitute and sick of all ages, we operate self development schemes, such as training of young people in crafts, supplying food, running farms, and health centres for training in basic medicine, hygiene and nutrition. Our hospital provides for outpatients and inpatients. It caters for everyone, from pregnant mothers, malnourished and sick babies, burns, all hinds of diseases, to care of the dying. In Africa we care for destitute old people in a recently built home, near our Convent. Visits are paid to the sick, to the lonely and to the old living in their own huts, and necessary help given. We run a small farm, a clinic, and there is also a purpose built guest house.

Everyone is received and welcomed to the family and we endeavour to see, and receive in them, Christ.

OUR FAMILY

Our life is a family one of concern for and love of one another. It is a life in common, yet with consideration for individual needs. Sisters are given opportunity to develop their talents, bearing in mind the needs of the Congregation.

As well as working and praying together, there are relaxation, hobby and recreation times.

Communication, mutual interests and growth are provided for by means of visits, Sisters' Newsletters, meetings and reunions of Juniors, Finally Professed Sisters and Superiors, and interchange of Sisters from one country to another for short or longer periods.

LAY HELPERS

Aggregated to us are the Oblates who whilst remaining in their own occupation and state of life contribute to and share in our Benedictine spirituality.

Attached to our family is the Lay Community (Shalom), who spend a year or more sharing in our work and prayers.

Then there are our Associates and friends who help by their prayers, participation in our work, fundraising etc. Our lay helpers are interdenominational.

VOWS

We take as one of our Vows that of 'Stability'. In this we promise a deep and lasting belonging to our monastic family, loving it with all its faults and strengths.

We promise 'Conversion of Life', a constant turning away from anything that will take us from our search for God. We are stewards of the goods given to us from God and everything is held in common. Loving God with singleness of purpose, we are filled with his love to give to others.

Obeying the lawful commands of our Superiors who hold the place of Christ in each Community, we unite ourselves with God.

Characteristic of our Benedictine Family is a spirit of generosity and simplicity

ENTRY AND FORMATION

We look for women who are sincerely seeking God, who have a love for the Liturgy, who are generous, caring, with sound common sense, and reasonable health. A sense of humour is an asset.

There is a 6 month to 2 years postulancy. Postulants are living the life, and they and the Community are finding out whether it is God's will for them.

The Novitiate is for 1 or 2 years. It is a time of spiritual training, a time for the Novices to know themselves and God.

In the Juniorate, temporary vows are normally taken for 2 years, and then for a further period of 3 years, when there is life commitment. However, some may take Final Vows after 3 years or even 9 years - dependent on maturity and courses undertaken. The Juniorate provides a further period for spiritual and theological studies and also for secular training.

Finally Professed Sisters have the opportunity to continue spiritual and secular formation, which is essentially a life-long process.

We invite you to come and stay for a few days and see for yourself. Would you like to contact your nearest Convent of Grace and Compassion Benedictines?

Or you can email us on generalate@graceandcompassion.co.uk

Grace and Compassion Benedictines
©, Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, 1997
Created: 12/5/97, Last Updated: 24/7/97
Please E-Mail comments to Tony Milner