And Then There Were Nuns (35 page)

WITHOUT THE GENEROSITY
of the nuns and monks (former and current) whom I encountered on my journey and who shared their stories, this book would have been very difficult to write. I cannot express enough my gratitude for their gentle wisdom and love during my prolonged discernment period. They continue to provide me with an abundance of spiritual nourishment.

My thanks extend to the communities of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine (Toronto, Canada), the Order of Solesmes at Quarr Abbey (Isle of Wight, U.K.), the Order of Solesmes at St. Cecilia's Abbey (Isle of Wight, U.K.), and the Order of the Holy Paraclete (Whitby, U.K.). With one or two exceptions, names have not been changed.

I also wish to acknowledge a few of my fellow discerners in the Women at a Crossroads program at
SSJD
—Rev. Laurie Omstead, Lorraine Street, and Sonya Dykstra—who reviewed early drafts and urged me to move forward.

My agent, Samantha Haywood of Transatlantic Literary Agency, has been a tireless cheerleader, and Nancy Flight, my superb editor at Greystone Books, has once again blessed me with her extraordinary guidance and skill.

Last but not least, thanks to my children and friends for their support while I walked an uneven path, and especially to Colin for his endless patience, love, and countless cups of tea.

A word about biblical references and terminology: I used the King James Version and the New International Version when quoting from the Bible. Some of the prayers reprinted are from
The Book of Common Prayer
.

Although the terms “convent” and “monastery” can (with somewhat subtle differences) refer to the homes of both female and male religious communities, I have opted, for consistency and ease of explanation, to use “convent” when referring to the home of female religious and “monastery” when referring to the home of male religious.

There was once a distinction between nuns (those in solemn vows) and sisters (those in simple vows); nowadays the terms are largely interchangeable, as I have used them, though many female religious prefer the term “sister” to “nun.”

 

JANE CHRISTMAS

2013

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