As someone who has rather a lot of experience with the Poor Clares, I want to clarify that the PCPAs (Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration) are not representative of most PC communities. Not that their lifestyle is incorrect, just that it is difficult to compare their life to the typical charism of their order.
The vow of enclosure that Poor Clares take is perhaps the most serious of the vows - simply because it is so drastic. Though exceptions are obviously made for things like medical care and home repairs, the sisters do not leave Enclosure nor does anyone else enter it. Due to the calling of the PCPAs and their work with EWTN, they are far more in touch with the world around them, including allowing camera crews into Enclosure, having computers/internet/etc.
However, as with marriages or careers, the spirit of each monastery runs the gamut. Here in TX, we have an order who runs a Shetland pony farm and gives tours and family days. (Shameless plug - their fall festival is October 10th)
Mostly this is just a PSA to clarify that this is not "normal" life of a Poor Clare any more than a discussion with one homeschooling family or one computer tech or one doctor or one Frenchman or one rock band would be the "normal" life for all persons in that category.
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As someone who has rather a lot of experience with the Poor Clares, I want to clarify that the PCPAs (Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration) are not representative of most PC communities. Not that their lifestyle is incorrect, just that it is difficult to compare their life to the typical charism of their order.
The vow of enclosure that Poor Clares take is perhaps the most serious of the vows - simply because it is so drastic. Though exceptions are obviously made for things like medical care and home repairs, the sisters do not leave Enclosure nor does anyone else enter it. Due to the calling of the PCPAs and their work with EWTN, they are far more in touch with the world around them, including allowing camera crews into Enclosure, having computers/internet/etc.
However, as with marriages or careers, the spirit of each monastery runs the gamut. Here in TX, we have an order who runs a Shetland pony farm and gives tours and family days. (Shameless plug - their fall festival is October 10th)
Mostly this is just a PSA to clarify that this is not "normal" life of a Poor Clare any more than a discussion with one homeschooling family or one computer tech or one doctor or one Frenchman or one rock band would be the "normal" life for all persons in that category.
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