A Call Within a Call
A ‘call within a call’ perhaps best describes the Extern vocation. Drawn to a life of prayer, self-sacrifice and the living of the monastic observances, the Extern Sister also experiences the call to find the Lord in the many visitors and guests who come to the monastery. She is the face – and the hands and the heart – of the Community with whom daily visitors come into contact. The Extern Sister shares with visitors and guests the fruits of her contemplation and opens to them the enclosure of the Heart of Christ.
The Face of Mercy
An Extern Sister is a member of the monastic fa
mily, but because of her particular role in the Community she makes Perpetual instead of Solemn Profession. An Extern Sister is the “Guardian of the Enclosure”. Her specific vocation is to help her Cloistered Sisters live their life of withdrawal and silence by caring for the needs of the Community outside of the Enclosure. By extending the charity of the Community, she is the face of mercy for all who visit the monastery. Therefore, she has a special and important ministry of hospitality.
The Extern Sister shares the graces and love of her Sisters with all whom she meets, and in turn, she shares the needs, hopes, and love of others with the Sisters. This beautiful exchange between the Cloister and the world outside the cloister is at the heart of the Extern Vocation. Moreover, this exchange is possible only through the union she has with her Sisters through prayer.
Sharing the Fruits of Contemplation
Hence, the Extern Sister has a vocation within a vocation. Like her Cloistered Sisters, she has the vocation to the Contemplative life of prayer and intimacy with the Lord, nevertheless, she also has the vocation to “share the fruits of her contemplation” with others outside of the Enclosure. 