With joy, the monastic community received Margaret Siffert into the Novitiate, the second step in the several-year process of Initial Formation into the monastic way of life. The Reception ritual was held on Saturday evening, August 14, during First Vespers of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the ceremony, Sister Lynn Elisabeth Meadows, Prioress, offered a brief instruction, followed by a ritual dialogue between Margaret, Sister Elisabeth, Sister Magdalena (Novice Director), and the Community in which Margaret expressed her intention and the community promised their support and prayers.
As signs of her Reception into the Novitiate, Margaret was presented with copies of the Rule of Benedict and the Constitution of the Federation of St. Scholastica. Margaret was then clothed in a white cuculla, the traditional monastic choir garment. Finally, Margaret received from Sister Elisabeth the name by which she will be known as a monastic – Sister Margaret. After Vespers, the community gathered in Ottilia Hall for our traditional greeting of the newly-received Novice.
With safety measures in place for Covid-19, members of Sister Margaret’s family were able to join the community for the ceremony and for the supper which followed. We rejoice that Sister Margaret has found a monastic home with us and is continuing on in her Benedictine journey.
