A Letter on Monasticism by Mother Petra, Christ the Bridegroom Monastery

Nothing offends worldly sensibilities like a young, educated woman who leaves all her worldly potential—a career, a home of her own, marriage and family, travel and other pleasures—to enter a monastery. Who would do such a thing?! Even within the Church, many people who think that religious life is well and good for others recoil at the prospect of their daughter or sister or friend leaving them to follow Christ in such a radical way. They cannot comprehend why a woman would make such a choice. Love alone can compel the soul to renounce self and surrender to the asceticism of a communal life centered on prayer and hospitality, at the expense of her personal preferences, satisfactions, and control….Read more