Sr Sofia Millicam received the Cistercian novice habit today and entered Wrentham's novitiate.

Today's feast, the Friends of the Lord from Bethany, Mary, Martha & Lazarus, is one that the early Cistercians preached on frequently seeing in each person one aspect of our life.  Fr. Aquinas, our Chaplain, reminded us that with Mary we are called to seek the face of Christ, in Martha we are called to the practical needs of community life and Christian life, and in Lazarus we are reminded of the second change each of us received in Baptism. Earlier at Vigils the reading from Saint Aelred, a 12th century English Cistercian abbot, brought home similar points about the three friends of the Lord.

We welcomed Sr. Sofia as a novice with the traditional prayer that asks blessings for her and reminds the community of its obligation to support her in the monastic life.

More photos may be seen here.