Page 2 WHO AM I

WHO AM I ?

I am Sister Marian who is a Reader 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..

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-year vow of ‘Chastity’ to live the ‘Single Consecrated Life’ in my own home.

At the end of that year with the support of the Order, the Bishop and my Director, I deepened my commitment and made three- year vows of Chastity and Obedience.

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 16 years making a total of 20 years in vows. I have often said that I had to become ill in order for God to get a word in edge-ways! However, I have learnt that it is true that God can bring ‘Goodness and Blessings even out of suffering’!