On August 14, Therese Marie Carson from Harbor Springs, Michigan, began her official affiliation with St. Scholastica Monastery, the first step for a woman who is seeking membership in the monastic Community. The Affiliate stage begins when a woman who feels God is calling her to religious life and who has discerned through prayer and guidance that St. Scholastica would be the best possible choice for her to fulfill her desire makes a formal request to continue her discernment with the Community.
The rite begins with the candidate’s knocking on the Monastery door where, after several persistent knocks, it is opened for her and she is met by the Prioress and gathered Community. Here she states her request and after a brief ceremony of acceptance and blessing is led into Midday Prayer.
For the next six months she will maintain contact with the Community as both she and they deepen their relationship with one another. At the end of the period, with the Community’s approval, she may request membership as a Postulant.