Watch

A Glimpse Into the Life of a Cloistered Nun

Creator:
Published:
January 22, 2024
November 4, 2019
Carmelite-Nun|Carmelite-Nun-Square

Sr. Clare Joseph is a Carmelite nun in Terre Haute, Indiana. She and her sisters live a life of silence and contemplation behind a 'grille' and rarely leave the convent.

"We come here and we have nothing, but it doesn't feel like we have nothing — it feels like we have everything."

Video Transcript

Meet Sister Clare: Carmelite Nun

Terre Haute, Indiana

Sister Clare Joseph: My hands are empty. My pockets are empty. I own nothing. But everything that I have is interior, and it is rich beyond richness.

The Sisters live a life of contemplation and silence. They live behind a grille and rarely leave the convent.

This is a grille, and it's more symbolic than anything. It's a reminder to us, a reminder to others, that our life, it is separated, consecrated to God.

Sister Clare worked with the sick, poor, and dying for over a decade, but then felt called to join the Carmelites.

I'm a doer, and I thought, "I'm going to be God's hands and His feet and His mouth and everything that I can, and just totally spend myself for love of God and love of His people." I saw the tremendous need, poverty, and rejected people in our society, and I would pray, "Lord, if I were to go to a convent, if I were to live contemplatively, well, who will do the work?"

I'm trusting and believing solely that God will do all of the things that is in my heart to do. He will move the mountains. I give my whole self to Him. He will hear our prayers. It's like God said, "Now I want to give to you."

When I discerned my vocation, I had all this... "So strong, I'm going to do all these things and give all this stuff to God," and then to just have that great reversal. We come here and we have nothing, but it doesn't feel like we have nothing. It feels like we have everything.

That's why we get up every single morning, go through the same routine day after day, because of the love and the graces and the beauty that God gives to us.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
January 22, 2024
November 4, 2019
On a related note...
The Commencement Address We Can’t Stop Thinking About

The Commencement Address We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Mike Jordan Laskey

“Who I Am” is More Important than “What I Do”

“Who I Am” is More Important than “What I Do”

Molly Cruitt

Sharing Love Through Her Pottery

Sharing Love Through Her Pottery

Grotto

Jesus' Favorite Podcast EP 8: Planning for the Future with Deborah Meyer

Jesus' Favorite Podcast EP 8: Planning for the Future with Deborah Meyer

Grotto, Ebony Moxey, Javi Zubizarreta

5 Reasons to Try Meditation (If You Haven't, Yet)

5 Reasons to Try Meditation (If You Haven't, Yet)

Julia Hogan-Werner

“Finding a Home in the Church”

“Finding a Home in the Church”

Sage Webb

“Our Reunion is Not of This World”

“Our Reunion is Not of This World”

Patricia Valderrama

St. Catherine of Siena’s Fierce Love | #GrottoMusic

St. Catherine of Siena’s Fierce Love | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

What If All Sins Gave You a Hangover?

What If All Sins Gave You a Hangover?

Isaac Huss

How a Discernment Process Empowers Boldness

How a Discernment Process Empowers Boldness

Dan Masterton

Why You Should Know the Work of Henri Nouwen

Why You Should Know the Work of Henri Nouwen

Patty Breen

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

St. Polycarp Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Polycarp Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Praying in a Deer Stand

Praying in a Deer Stand

Grotto Shares

4 Steps to Make the Most of the Advent Season

4 Steps to Make the Most of the Advent Season

Kelly Sankowski

What Training for a Triathlon Taught Me About Resilience

What Training for a Triathlon Taught Me About Resilience

Tim Pisacich

Meatless Friday Recipe: Tortellini Soup

Meatless Friday Recipe: Tortellini Soup

Grotto

The Saint Who Helped Me Regain My Trust in God

The Saint Who Helped Me Regain My Trust in God

Alessandra Harris

Christmas Music Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Christmas Music Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Seeking Answers When a Friend Dies

Seeking Answers When a Friend Dies

Mike Tenney

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.