“I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36)
Are you feeling a persistent tug at your heart to live for something greater? Do you seek a life of profound silence, deep prayer, and radical service to God? The Discalced Nuns of Mercy (Mercedarian Contemplatives) in Mwatate invite you to discern a journey of total consecration within the scenic serenity of the Taita Hills.
While most religious communities take vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, the Nuns of Mercy (Mercedarian Nuns) take a special Fourth Vow of Redemption of Captives. We pledge to give our lives in prayers—and if necessary, our very freedom—for the protection and ransom of those whose faith is in danger and those who are unjustly condemned and physically imprisoned.
In the silence of our Mwatate Monastery, we are the spiritual "hidden force" that intercedes for the suffering, the oppressed, and the lost.
Our life is a beautiful rhythm of Prayer and Work. A vocation with us is not a retreat from the world, but a deeper way of embracing it through Christ.
The Divine Office: We gather seven times a day to chant the praises of God through the Psalms and Lection Divina and other selected prayers.
Contemplative Silence: We cultivate an atmosphere of interior peace to better hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit.
Manual Labor: We sustain our community through farming, sewing liturgical vestments, and sale of farm products.
Community Life: We live as a family, supporting one another in our common goal of holiness.
Becoming a Nun is a gradual process of falling in love with God and testing the strength of that call:
A "Come and See" period is when a willing young lady before the age of 30yrs, visits the monastery and share in our life without formal commitment. She lives the already community members and do most of the things with. This period does not take long, not more than one month. Once they experinced. they are released to return home, and will return upon their request and subsequent acceptance by the Mother Nun in charge.
Upon the return of the young lady after the “Come and See” Program, she begins the Aspirancy Period which lasts not more than one year. In this period, the Aspirant continues to experience the daily life of the nuns and other young memebrs in different stages of formation, being guided by the Aspirancy Mistress Nun. She is tuned to learn the main pillar of Contemplative live that involves prayer and work. She will as learn other available courses set fit for their all- round-growth.
Upon successful completion of the Aspirancy Stage, the Aspirant is admitted into the Postuancy Stage, where there is an even deeper transition into the Community Life, focusing on human and spiritual growth, together with other courses set fit for their growth.
Upon successful completion of the Postulancy Stage, the Postulant is admitted into the Novitiate Stage. This is the most intensive stage of spiritual training. You receive the habit and study the Rule of our Order and the Life History of the Oder and our Founder St. Peter Nolasco (S. Pedro Nolasco) who was born and brought up in Spain. The First Novitiate year is called Canonical Year, where the Novice is required to deepen herself the more by engaging in intense spiritual life. She is exempted from much responsibilities here to have enough time to ground herself in the life. In the second year, the Novice begins to prepare and take some little responsibilities and planned my the Mother Nun.
Upon successful completion of the Novitiate Stage, the Novice is admitted into the Juniorate Stage. She will apply for her first vows, at least two months before she is allowed to to profess them When the request is accepted, the Novice proceeds to take the Vows in a public celebration witnessed by her family and Christians around. She will receive a full habit, for during the Novitiate she did not have other parts that constitute a full habit, as a sign of her being still in the journey. She will take temporary vows,-that shall be renewed every year at a date similar to the date of first profession or anticipated but not postponed.
Upon successful completion of the Juniorate Stage, the Junior Nun, having renewed her vows as per the number required, makes the final application requesting for the Solemn Vows, when she is judged worthy by those who are finally professed of the entire Order, she is allowed to proceed and take her Solemn Vows Publicly in the presence of the Bishop or anyone assigned by him as the take their final, lifelong "Yes" to God.
You might have a vocation to our community if:
-You have a deep desire for a life of prayer rather than active outward ministry.
-You feel a special compassion for those who are spiritually or physically "imprisoned."
-You seek joy in simplicity, humility, and silence.
-You are a single Catholic woman (usually between ages 18 and 30) with a sound mind and body.
The mountains of Mwatate are waiting to echo your "Yes." If you feel God calling you to the Mercedarian Nuns' Life, reach out to us for a visit or a conversation.
Discalced Nuns of Mercy P.O. Box 113-80305,
Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County
"Free to set others free."
or Call: +254 707 302 813
“Do not be afraid of what God asks of you! It is worth saying 'Yes' to God. In Him is our joy.”