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So, what is a St. Gemma or a St. B. J. Labre House?
Well, it doesn't have to be a house, per se.
Two or more cloister discerners sharing an apartment together can constitute a St. Gemma or St. B.J. Labre House.
And what else is there to it?
Everyone keeps their jobs to support themselves and, of course, share the expenses. A schedule of Mass, prayer,
study, recreation, and meals is kept, as much as possible, by as many roommates as possible. The study times
are for studying those charisms being discerned.
Any suggestions?
YES. I have suggestions of things to do, and things not to do.
Things to do: Pray together and take meals in common. Bear with one anothers' faults. Discuss vocations.
Read the lives of the saints.
Things NOT to do: wearing of habits indoors (even in the privacy of your own home) and the taking of a religious
name.
We're not trying to run a mini-monastery, or to look like mini-monks and nuns.
The wearing of a "babushka" by females (hair handkerchief) is permitted. Such is worn by laywomen to keep their
hair out of their eyes when doing housework. Such will help the discerner get used to having something on her
head.
Hooded sweatshirts are suggested for prayer times to avoid chilling while sitting still. The hood also acts as
a cowl for focusing the attention on God.
The main concept to remember here is the mutual support of each others' vocations.
Cloister Outreach cannot financially assist any St. Gemma/St. B.J. Labre Houses. We are simply putting forth the
concept in an attempt at preserving cloistered vocations in the world until they can persevere to their "True Home" on Earth.
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