Pro Orantibus Day

In 1994 Pope John Paul II designated November 21st, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple as Pro Orantibus Day (for those who pray). He wanted everyone to pray on that day for all contemplative cloistered religious. As we mentioned earlier today, we are all called to spiritual battle. Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict XVI call cloistered religious the "heart of the Church." Just as soldiers on the front lines depend on those behind the lines, so the rest of the Church is dependent upon cloistered contemplatives. St. Faustina said in her diary, "Woe to the world when there are few contemplative nuns." The last decades have seen the fulfillment of this prophecy. That is why Pope John Paul set apart this day of prayer. Many monasteries that struggled to remain faithful have not received any vocations in years. Their members are old and need prayers to help them in their sufferings. And that is just where you come in! Cloistered contemplatives have been praying for you for years! Now it is your turn to pray for them. Secondly, you can help them by praying they receive vocations. What is more, you can help young people find cloistered monasteries. By their nature, they are to be a hidden leaven. So many of us did not even know cloistered life existed. You can suggest such a vocation to young people. Many say they would never have even thought of a religious vocation if someone had not suggested it to them.

The Institute for Religious Life, founded by Fr. John Hardon, SJ at the direct request of Pope John Paul II, has a special web site for cloistered life. They also have all kinds of resources so that you can pray for this intention (prayer cards, novena, etc.) So we encourage you and your family to make the novena which begins tomorrow, November 12. Also maybe your prayer groups can take this up! And don't forget to pray for us too, your cloistered Nuns here in Marbury!

Novena: http://www.cloisteredlife.com/pdfs/orantibus_novena.pdf

resources: http://www.cloisteredlife.com/