Living in the Presence of God

For the religious Sister, especially those in semi-contemplative and contemplative orders, bells play a significant role. The bells represent the voice of God calling the Sisters to prayer and work (“ora et labora”) throughout the day. This practice helps to sanctify time and keep the Sisters focused on the constant presence of their Divine Spouse. The monastic bells also serve as a reminder of the Sisters’ vows, particularly the vow of obedience. They are meant to prompt a cessation of all activity and a remembrance of God’s presence. The Angelus bell, rung at specific times (morning, noon, and evening), calls the Sisters to pray the Angelus prayers, which commemorate the Incarnation. In essence, the ringing of bells in a traditional Catholic monastery acts as a constant, tangible reminder of the Sisters’ vocation – their call to live a consecrated life completely dedicated to God. It punctuates their day, drawing them back to the heart of their religious life and inviting them to listen to the voice of the Beloved.

Dear families, we encourage you to teach your children the value of time and of making acts of the presence of God throughout the day. Each moment that passes is one we can never have back, and all must be accounted for. The soul that lives in the presence of God will learn to hate all sin, to love virtue, and to consider all things in the light of eternity.