WHO AM I ?
I am Sister Marian who is a Priest in the Church in Wales and also l live the ‘Solitary Religious Life’ as an ‘Oblate Sister’ of ‘The Society of The Sacred Cross’ and Life Professed Sister of the Single Consecrated Life. On September 26th. 2020, I was ordained a priest and am now curate of the Parish of Sketty.
The Society of The Sacred Cross has its convent in Tymawr in Lydart in Monmouth.
This is an Anglican order of Nuns who have taken vows to live a life of prayer and remain most of the time within the convent.
An Oblate is a woman or a man who has made ‘an Oblation’ (a promise) to live a Rule of Life in accordance with the teachings of the Order. Oblates spend some time every year at the convent and have a ‘link sister’ to help them to keep their rules.
I could not enter the ‘Community’ as a ‘sister’ because in my early forties I began to develop an illness which means I am in constant pain and mostly housebound.
However, I felt called to deepen my commitment and so with the support of the Community, my Bishop and an excellent Spiritual Director, I was in 1998 permitted to make a one-
At the end of that year with the support of the Order, the Bishop and my Director, I deepened my commitment and made three-
Finally, it was agreed, that on Matthias’ Day June 14th. 2002, before the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon I could make my Life Vows of Chastity, Poverty of Spirit and Obedience to run along side my ‘Rule of Life’ and to live the full Solitary Religious Life in my own home
I have been ‘Life Professed’ for 17 years making a total of 21 years in vows. I have often said that I had to become ill in order for God to get a word in edge-
THE SOCIETY PRAYER
Dear Lord, in your love for us,
You called our society into being.
and have sustained it through the years,
may we Seek your Kingdom in purity of heart,
Listen deeply to your word
and Follow Your crucified and Risen Son with joy.
May Tymawr continue to be blessed
as a house of prayer,
where the Spirit flows through all our encounters
and bears fruit I n thankful lives.
We ask it in the name of the Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
AMEN
THE CHAPEL
AT TYMAWR