By Cian Molloy - 05 March, 2018
The Poor Clare Sisters spread a bit of joy during the cold weather this weekend by posting pictures of the community having fun in the snow at their convent on Nun’s Island in Galway.
Although the sisters belong to an enclosed contemplative community founded in Galway in 1642, they are adept in using modern-day communications, the internet and social media to promote their vocation and their love of God.
And this weekend, their Twitter and Facebook feeds featured pictures of snowmen – or, more accurately, snowsisters – plus some images of the sisters having a light-hearted snowball fight. Some of the photos were tagged #BeastFromTheEast, #Snowmageddon and #sneachtageddon.
The images were very well received, with more than a thousand shares and some very positive comments including: “Way to go sisters!”, “Nuntastic!” and “God bless you and protect you always!”
Rising at 5.30am every day, the Poor Clare Sisters spend most of their day in prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, but each evening they also honour Our Lady by reciting the Rosary in their public chapel at 5pm, or at 5.30pm on Sundays.
After the 6pm Angelus and supper, there is some time for recreation and for enjoying one another’s company, and that is when the snowy fun took place this week.
One of the statues of snow built by the sisters was particularly good, and the caption on the photo posted on Facebook read: “Introducing the newest member of our community, Sr Frosty!”
There was a set of photographs showing sisters throwing snowballs at one another and the sense of joy is palpable. And there was also a photo bearing a simple but important message: Choose Life.
Earlier in the week, the sisters posted a prayer for all of us to help us deal with the bad weather:
God of heaven and earth,
God who carries our lives
and the lives of our whole community
in your hands,
be with us.
Send us your holy angels
to watch over and guard us.
May they spread their holy wings
to give us shelter against the storm.
We ask this through Christ,
Our Lord.
Amen.
