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As regular readers of the hallowed text ‘19’ magazine will be aware, an interview with our beloved assistant Catholic chaplain appeared under the imaginative title “I’ve given up girls for God!” If you thought that was just an opportunity to have photos of what (I am told!) is a good looking male, then what appears on the front cover of this week’s Big Issue but a photo of a nun, and inside an article about young women entering convents, and how the number is increasing, (yes that did say increasing).
On the face of it, this does seem rather an odd thing to do, to cut off ties, leave behind a world where you have opportunities, choices, members of the opposite sex with whom you can be erm … friendly. But having spent most of the last week stressed about various pressing matters, and then this last weekend in retreat with the chaplaincy, I think I can guess why this ‘alternative’ lifestyle could be appealing. The first thing is the change of pace. No longer have you two hours work, and only an hour in which to do it. Secondly, there is the silence. Instead of being limiting, it is a liberating experience. You regain the chance to hear God as you are walking from A to B, and you also have the time to listen to Him properly. But lastly, and perhaps most importantly, your only time-tabled commitments are the offices, where through plainsong and the reading of psalms, you can praise and glorify God with no concerns of other things you should be doing/have to do straight after. For what can be so bad about praising and praying to Him who is most worthy of praise, with frequency and regularity every day of your life?
Includes archaeologists and historians of art too! We meet in Alcuin, room B124 on a Monday at 2:15 for about an hour to natter (share fellowship,) and pray together. The group is very friendly and always happy to welcome new people along. I find it really encouraging to be able to talk to other Christians from my own dept. about things we have in common. If you’re interested / want more details feel free to email me at hjd101@york.ac.uk.
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Last modified: 25th November 2005
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