Galway Advertiser 1980/1980_07_03/GA_03071980_E1_012.pdf 

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B E H I N D C L O S E D D O O R S
Secluded amongst trees on Nuns Island in the middle of Galway City lies the Convent of the Poor Clares. These are an enclosed order, a strange path to thread in this busy world when one would imagine that outward, extrovert and wordly-wise were the qualities of leadership the Catholic Church needed today. Believing she would never get further than the main gate our reporter Mary O'Connor approached the convent to try and find out what was the place of the Poor Clares at the close of the twentiety century. She returned deeply impressed by her welcome from the sisters, their enthusiasm for their life, and the sacrifice and dedication required by them on our behalf. This week we publish the first of two parts of Mary O'Connor's report: In a world where speed, activity and constant change are the orders of the day, one often hears people say that they would love to get away to somewhere where peace and quiet rules supreme. For many, this is but a momentary longing. For others however, it is a l i f e l o n g decision to concentrate on real life values in the seclusion of a contemplative order. The Poor Clares in Nun's Island are one such order, i They take their name from their mother and foundress St. Clare, the first spiritual daughter the Franciscians. Nearly 800 years ago a young girl of eighteen named Clare, left her father's house to follow the new and u n t r o d d e n way of St. Francis. She was clothed by him in the rough Franciscan garb and she with her followers lived the Franciscan contemplative life at San Damiano, Italy. With no capital or dowry the community depended for support on the alms of the people and on their own labour. Eight centuries later the Order of the Poor Clare's has spread worldwide and numbers 16,000 nuns. In 1642 the Poor Clares first arrived in Galway, from the Convent of Bet he lam, Afhlone. Seven years later they obtained a free grant from the Corporation of five acres of land for their monastery, only four years after this they were expelled by Cromwell. In 1672 they were back in their convent, but nineteen years later they were again dispersed and this time their convent was burned. From 1691 until 1825 they lived in Market Street. In 1825 four years prior to the granting of Catholic Emancipation the sisters left the house in Market Street for their new convent in Nun's Island. In all their centuries in Galway, the daily lives of the Poor Clare's of Nun's Island have not changed very much, despite the vissitudes of time. The way of the Poor Clare's is still one of simplicity, prayer, reading, manual work and recreation. They are called "Poor Clare's" because poverty is the special characteristic of the Order. Renouncing completely earthly riches and the desire for possessions they are set free from all earthly riches and attachments in order to give themselves wholly to the service of God. In this light also the vows of obedience and chastity are seen, freeing oneself in mind and earth in order to channel all the forces of one's being towards the will of the Lord. In addition, to these vows of religion Poor Clare's add the fourth vow: enclosure which means that they never leave the Monastery precincts except for special reasons. The grill through which the nuns speak with visitors is a symbol of this vow. Entirely dependent on Divine Providence by their solemn vow of poverty, Poor Clare's support themselves by the work of their hands as well as depending on the voluntary alms they receive from the community. Each sister shares in the work and the upkeep of the convent. Sewing, cooking, house cleaning, gardening are some of the d ovn to earth chores that fill their days. Other works include the making of altar breads for the diocese. AURA OF RESTFULLNESS The Poor Clares Convent once lay in the shadow of the great grey wall of Galway jail. Today it rests in the shade of the stone cathedral. Walking in the driveway I was instantly aware of the peace and tranquility which shrouds the convent. It is difficult to believe that a convent which is situated in the heart of the city could retain such an aura of rest fullness and serenity while a few hundred yards up the road, streets choke with panting traffic and pedestrians weave their way through the crowded streets. Arriving at the main convent door, I was greeted by an extern sister. These "externs" are the sisters who greet callers to the convent. They are the living links between the strictly enclosed sisters and the people who call to consult them, or ask for their prayers or leave alms. She led me through highly polished corridors before asking me to wait in the parlour while she went to inform Mother Abbess of my arrival. Meanwhile I busied myself admiring the gleaming furnishings and smoothly polished floor which demanded a lot of elbow grease. Not to m e n t i o n Mr. Sheen! Everything in the room was neat and functional and by no means austere. The convent's Mother Abbess greeted me warmly. She spoke to me through a grille which did nothing to prevent her warmth and g o o d h u m o u r seeping through. She explained that she had an appointment and would be unable to see me right then, but would leave me in the able hands of Sr. Anthony. Sr. Anthony told me that there are 19 nuns in the convent, three of whom are novices. The three novices are 21 years of age and came to the convent from a variety of careers. One of the girls worked hi the bank and social security before she decided to enter. Of the other two, one held down a variety of jobs while the other was a pre-med.

Seated for breakfast at 7.45 a. m. the sisters patiently await the arrival of cereal followed by tea, brown bread, cheese and butter. A far cry from the day when 2 ounces of dry bread was the order of the day for breakfast! Poor Clares follow a vegetarian diet. making hosts. They make over 20,000 hosts daily for the diocese and often have to fulfill orders for outside the diocese as well. 11.45 sext. 12 noon angelus followed by dinner. 1 -- 2.30 is spent gardening and doing odd jobs about the convent. 2.30 none -- the small hours of the divine office are recited. 3 p.m. tea 3 -- 4.30 p.m. study or free time. 4.30 the sisters meditiate and have time for private prayer. 5 p.m. is recreation time when the nuns play table tennis or listen to tapes or music. Angelus and evening prayer commences at 6 p.m. which includes the office of the sick or may act as porter.

student. Two of the novices entered at 19 and the other girl at 18. "We live by donations" said Sr. Anthony. "The Galway people have been very good to us and have never failed us in the past". Everyone here has their duties which are allotted to them by Mother Abbess. Every three years we elect a n e w Abbess and she designates our duties. Two sisters are assigned to the kitchen and are responsible for the variety of vegetarian dishes which are served daily. I am in charge of the novitiates while another sister may be in charge of

his visit meant a lot to them and he has been part of their lives ever since. We usually say the whole office for him when he is travelling abroad to ensure that he will return home safely, said Sr. Anthony. One of the trees blessed by the Holy Father during his visit to Ballybrit has been planted in the Poor Clare g r o u n d s . A tree was allocated to each diocese following the Papal visit and the Bishop decided to plant the Galway diocesan tree in the convent grounds. The sisters see the tree as a living reminder of the Holy Father's trip to Ireland.

15 Poor Clare sisters bowed in prayer as they prepare for the Divine Office which is chanted seven times daily. A DAY IN THE LIFE A typical day in the life of a Poor Clare starts at 5.15 a.m. when the nuns are called. They come down to the choir at 5.45 and then spend 3 0 minutes in meditation. A 20 minute break ensues which is followed by morning prayer. 7 a.m. Mass and thanksgiving. 7.45 It is time for breakfast and then the sisters are free until 8.30 when they have individual spiritual reading. From 9 ajn. - 11.45 the novices attend lectures while the 16 sisters busy themselves with the housework, gardening, caring for the sick, and the dead. 6.30 supper followed by rosary and night prayer at 7 p.m. 7.30 the nuns retire for the night to get rested for rising again at 11,45 when they do their offices and engage in mental prayer. They are in bed again by 1 a.m. PAPAL VISIT Of course the great pride and joy of the sisters was the visit of Pope lohn Paul to Ballybrit. None of the sisters went to see him but every single one of them watched it earnestly on T.V. They say him right through until his departure by helicopter. Sr. Anthony pointed out that

Next week: "Ordinary girls, with good health, commonsense and humour", and the myths believed by townspeople that the nuns sleep in their graves - and ring the church bell when they have no food...

With God's spirit in their hearts five Poor Clare sisters set about cutting some of the 20,000 altar breads baked daily in the convent. Pictured on the far right is a Poor Clare postulant (1 year with the convent). Dressed in white and seated at the table behind her is a Poor Clare novice (3 years with the convent). On the far left is a simply professed sister (3 years with the convent). In the background stands the vivacious Sr. Anthony and Mother Abbess.

PLANNING NOTICE I wish to apply to Galway Corporation for planning permission to erect a porch at my dwelling. Mr. Frank McPhilbin, 41 Emmett Ave., Mervue, Galway.