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glinNC Forum Pro
Joined: May 09 2007
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Posted: Feb 12 2011 at 8:44pm | IP Logged
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My dear friend's daughter has been accepted to a cloistered monastery and will be leaving later this year to join them. I am so excited for her and her family! However, this is a first for me ... what do you give a young lady as a "congratulations" gift who is going to live a life away from material things? Naturally, she has our prayers; but what can we do to send her off?
What do PARENTS usually do to send off their daughter to a cloistered monastery, knowing they will rarely see her (so I'm told)?
If anybody has experienced this, either as parent or as a friend, and can give suggestions, my friend and I would appreciate it! Thanks!
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LucyP Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2007
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Posted: Feb 14 2011 at 2:38am | IP Logged
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Maybe the gift of a party to say goodbye? Or ask the Mother Superior of her convent because I think taking a gift to the convent is often customary. I think, I would lean towards giving a gift in her name to a cause close to her heart.
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Feb 14 2011 at 3:32am | IP Logged
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I have no clue what might be allowed.. but one of my first thoughts was stationary and stamps so that she could write to people to stay in touch. Maybe a phone card.. but again it would need to be something allowed by the order.
But I would think that you could contact the order and ask them? That would give you the best information.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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stellamaris Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Feb 14 2011 at 4:16am | IP Logged
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I would think she would appreciate knowing you were praying for her. Maybe an "ongoing" spiritual bouquet? Some kind of commitment to pray annually or monthly the Rosary or a Novena for her on a day that is special to her (First Friday, her patron saint's feast, or her birthday)?
I think one thing that might be hard about being cloistered is to think that everyone you knew before entering the order has gone on and forgotten all about you. With the gift of your prayer, she can be comforted to know you are holding her in your heart before the Lord.
__________________ In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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JamieCarin Forum Rookie
Joined: Nov 14 2008 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Feb 14 2011 at 6:24am | IP Logged
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Generally the girl will be sent a list of the things she must bring with her to the convent. So sometimes they will set it up like a registry and you can purchase her something she needs off that list.
I have seen parents or parish give a going away party/wedding shower type party.
__________________ Wife to Claudio for 9yrs, Mom to Ben (4), and Annabella (almost 3), and Beatrice (born 1/17/12)
Ad Silvam Ibimus
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Feb 14 2011 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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JamieCarin wrote:
Generally the girl will be sent a list of the things she must bring with her to the convent. So sometimes they will set it up like a registry and you can purchase her something she needs off that list.
I have seen parents or parish give a going away party/wedding shower type party.
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My sister and I entered the convent when we were much younger, and this is exactly what happens. They give a trousseau and perhaps a list of books to bring, and other allowed items.
We had a going away party, which everyone brought gifts and allowed to give goodbyes.
Obviously, I didn't stay.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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ALmom Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
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Posted: Feb 17 2011 at 4:29pm | IP Logged
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We had a young lady in our home school group enter the convent and one of the mom's gave her a shower. It really was lovely. We presented her with spiritual bouguets but also with items that any group of women would need - soap, toothpaste, shampoo,stationary and such items like that. Take lots of pictures for the family - especially mom.
Janet
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