1947 Chronicles (4): Sleepless Nights & Saving Graces

“Sister Mary Constance had the privilege of gilding the three wooden crosses which were placed on the top of the three gables, proclaiming to all that our home was no longer a farm house, but God’s House...”

The first nights in the new monastery were sleepless and the first days of work were difficult, but God never ceased to provide countless blessings upon the little community. Amidst all the trials and tribulations, the intercession of the saints and God’s providence guided the sisters in their efforts to make the old homestead into “God’s House.”

At Work Behind the Farmhouse Monastery

            “That night we really knew what it meant to be tired. Before going to bed, the small community completed their hours of the Divine Office, recited the Rosary in common, made their General Examen and recited the De Profundis for the Poor Souls. Then, off to their army cots and a sleepless night for most because of the extreme cold of the New England mid-winter weather. On the succeeding nights, we fared better.

“Sister Elisabeth, who had been a camp girl, taught us how to prepare a cot for below zero weather; the secret was to have as many blankets underneath as on top of the person! Those first nights were similar to little chapters from “Lives of the Brethren” [a written account of the early days of the Dominican Order]. After our first experience with the cold, Mother was determined to see that each of her daughters had enough warm blankets for the night. So, like Holy Father Dominic, she went around each night to see that each Sister was well tucked-in and warm.

            “On the third floor, the postulants were kept awake by tiny animals who played marbles with their winter store of nuts most of the night. In desperation, Sister Irene searched in her boxes for her favorite picture of Blessed Martin. The picture was kept reverently near her bed and he was asked to take care of all future night noises caused by little animals. [According to tradition, Blessed Martin is known to have solved his priory’s rat problem by kindly asking the rats not to bother the Prior anymore.]

A rare view of the original monastery buildings from the nuns’ interior court

“Similarly, on one of those first nights, the Community was awakened at about two o’clock in the morning by a loud hammering noise that seemed to come from Reverend Mother’s cell. With much concern, all rushed sleepily to Mother’s cell. A brave Sister opened the door and all peeked in; there sat Reverend Mother on her narrow cot, holding a long pole, which she was vigorously poking into a wall beside her. Another Sister stood nearby, pole in hand, also banging the ceiling. This was our first encounter with the other little creatures with which the house was infested. Blessed Martin soon became a close friend of the Community, as the Postulants asked him to keep their squirrels quiet and the Professed asked him to help with the rats.

            “On our first Sunday, everyone went for a walk during recreation. We explored the grounds around the house, marveling at the silence and the freshness of the many pine and hemlock trees. We were convinced that few places were as peaceful and lovely as this country to which God had led us. Some of the Sisters climbed to the top of the large rocky mound across the street. This was to be our last long walk for some time, for we were soon to be cloistered.

Sisters walk together

“The days flew happily and busily by. The old Chittendon farm house was gradually assuming the appearance of a monastery. Carpenters replaced the faded, green shingles with dark maroon ones, making a pleasant contrast with the green of the surrounding pine trees. Sister Mary Constance had the privilege of gilding the three wooden crosses which were placed on the top of the three gables, proclaiming to all that our home was no longer a farm house, but God’s House.”

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