by Sr. Jamie Caporizo Adrian Dominicans
In February, the ICCN made a pilgrimage to Kentucky. It was my first time in the Bluegrass State and there was much to see and experience.
Since January, our directors invited us to learn a little each day of Thomas Merton’s writings. Merton was a Trappist monk in the Gethsemani Abbey located in Kentucky and we made a stop there during our trip from Feb 14-18. It was a joy to go on a road trip as a community and to meet some of the other communities from which our sisters come. We stayed with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Sr. Nancy’s community. Their hospitality and warmth were a welcome gift despite the weather! I swear, we experienced three seasons within two days- ice, snow, and rain!
Staying on the SCN Motherhouse campus and being able to visit the sisters gave us a chance to share who we were and connect with experience women religious with knowledge to share. I really enjoyed dinner at Sr. Brenda’s house and listening to her stories from her various ministries. Her best advice to us as novices was to “stay open and honest” with ourselves about this journey we’re on in formation.
Another highlight of the trip was visiting Gethsemani Abbey! We toured places many lay people are not privileged to go- the cloister walks and the Chapter room. Our host, Br. Luke, answered all our questions about life at the Abbey and the structure of monastic life. He also allowed me to play the organ in the Abbey church, which was so cool! I loved the feeling of serenity I experienced at the Abbey - the simplicity of the architecture encouraged me to look inward and find stillness. I look forward to a chance to return there someday.
Our pilgrimage also took us to Loretto, Kentucky, to visit the motherhouse of the Sisters of Loretto, Saima and Shaista’s home community. I was so happy they had time with their sisters. We spent time in the chapel, a beautiful Shaker style, to learn about the Loretto community and their ministries. Saima and Shaista also had a turn talking about who the ICCN is and how our days are scheduled. I was so proud of the way they stood in front of their sisters and shared stories. Their increased ease in speaking English and their confidence was remarkable, and I was filled with pride, knowing how diligent they have been in their studies! Once again, it was a beautiful experience of connection with the wider community of Religious Life in the US and Kentucky.
Lest you think this was all prayer and no play, the ICCN took a special tour of the Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto! Apparently, Loretto is most famous for this bourbon and the Sisters 😊 We had wonderful tour guides and it was pretty cool to experience this secular Kentucky landmark.
May these waning days of winter encourage all of us to venture outside and seek connection with our wider communities!
Just to let you know Sr. Rene Richie's brother was a member of the Monastery in Kentucky for over 60 years. He passed a few years ago . Rene and her brother Rene were very close and visited each other whenever possible. Sr. Dusty