Benedictine sisters welcome new postulant

The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde have welcomed Rosa Cruz as the Nodaway County monastery's newest postulant, or candidate for membership.

Cruz, 25, comes from San Luis, Ariz., and hold a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona.

Her formal entry into the congregation began with a ceremonial knock on the door requesting entrance into the monastery’s Adoration Chapel.

During the next year, Cruz will live in community at the monastery, participate in personal and communal prayer, take classes and "further discern her monastic vocation."

She will continue to wear street clothing, since habits are reserved for professed sisters.

"The first Sunday of Advent is a very fitting day to celebrate Rosa's entrance," said Sister Lynn Marie D'Souza, who serves as the convent's formation director. "Advent marks the beginning of the new church year, and the postulancy is a beginning in monastic life."