Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Francis, Clare, Colette,
Pray for us!
Welcome to the unofficial website for the community of the Poor Clare
Colettines in Ellesmere, England (UK).
The Colettines of Ellesmere are a contemplative, Roman Catholic community
of nuns who follow the Rule of the Order of St Clare and the reform of St Colette (PCC).
The nuns wear the full habit and observe the Poor Clare Colettine way
of life: Daily Mass; the Divine Office seven times a day; Adoration; rosary; meditation; work; spiritual reading; penance;
holy silence; and happy recreation are faithfully and joyfully observed, in their life of prayer and service to the Lord.
They also still offer the two traditional ways of living the Poor Clare
Colettine life.
A woman entering this monastery can choose to live as an Enclosed Colettine (not leaving the enclosure,
except for health reasons) or as an Extern Colettine (who may go outside of the enclosure, on necessary duties for the community).
All the nuns take the three vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience.
Enclosed nuns take an extra vow of Enclosure.
The Monastery of Our Lady and St Joseph is attached to the Catholic Parish
Church of St Michael. It is built on a quiet hill, across from the beautiful lake Mere on the edge of the small, historic,
market town of Ellesmere. This is in the countryside of the county of Shropshire, close to the Welsh border.
The
Colettines of Ellesmere pray for the church, for the whole world, and for you.
Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever, Amen!
