Sr. Susanna, Author at Poor Clares of Travelers Rest SC

About Sr. Susanna

My journey to this community of Poor Clares was as winding – and wondrous – as the journeys of other sisters. I grew up in the Northeast as an Episcopalian; I ended up in the Southeast as a Catholic nun. At different times and from different places and conditions of life, God called each of us to live as contemplatives, here, with these sisters. Together, we follow the Poor Christ, striving to “preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3), in communion with all of God’s creation, as we pray for the needs of the world. It is a challenging life, certainly, but it is also beautiful and joy-filled!

Advent

Advent

By Sr. Susanna|2023-12-05T19:41:09+00:00December 5th, 2023|

What are your earliest memories of Advent? Perhaps the hymns, the liturgical colors, or the readings from Scripture made an impression on you. For many of us, Advent candles feature [...]

For Sale

By Sr. Susanna|2023-08-03T15:54:16+00:00August 3rd, 2023|

You wouldn't believe the number of "For Sale" signs that appear in the monastery over the course of a year. They pop up at odd times and often in unusual [...]

Dishes

Dishes

By Sr. Susanna|2023-03-29T15:20:57+00:00March 29th, 2023|

When Poor Clares talk about “Dishes,” they usually aren’t referring just to plates, cups, and bowls. In our monastery, as in many other monasteries, the word “Dishes” refers to a [...]

Heb

By Sr. Susanna|2023-01-23T21:47:29+00:00January 23rd, 2023|

"Who is Heb?" Last week, I was Heb. No, I didn't get a new nickname, nor is "Heb" slang for a cool nun (we wish!). "Heb" is short for "hebdomadary," [...]

New Year’s message from Ladybug

New Year’s message from Ladybug

By Sr. Susanna|2023-01-17T15:19:52+00:00January 12th, 2023|

A number of people have asked how Ladybug is doing; they noticed that she hadn't posted anything for some time. I caught up with her as she was walking down [...]

Repurposing (feline version)

Repurposing (feline version)

By Sr. Susanna|2021-12-16T16:05:32+00:00December 16th, 2021|

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us (St. Francis, Canticle of the Creatures, 9 ) Ladybug, our lovable Feline-in-Residence, has been meditating [...]

A Poor Clare Little Library

A Poor Clare Little Library

By Sr. Susanna|2021-07-02T14:54:57+00:00July 1st, 2021|

Now open: our little library! Some monasteries are known for having substantial libraries with many valuable tomes. In contrast, Poor Clare monasteries tend to have small “working” libraries, [...]

Stay

Stay

By Sr. Susanna|2020-07-25T18:22:40+00:00July 25th, 2020|

Those of you of a certain age may remember the live recording of Jackson Browne singing “The Load Out/Stay” ("Stay" begins at 6:09). An adaptation of Maurice Williams’s 1960 doo-wop [...]

How is Ladybug?

How is Ladybug?

By Sr. Susanna|2020-06-01T10:10:27+00:00May 31st, 2020|

Many of you have asked after Ladybug, our newest community member and official Feline-in-Residence. She’s really appreciated your interest in her welfare and recently expressed the desire to reach out [...]

Here and there

Here and there

By Sr. Susanna|2020-05-15T20:35:30+00:00May 15th, 2020|

This past week, I discovered two unexpected objects that have brought me great joy, transporting me to a much-loved place and to memories of time spent with much-loved family members. [...]

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