This is my just a portion of my photographic journal of my visit to St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas in July 2014. This visit became apart of my apprenticeship work with Holy Family Church in Nazareth, Texas.
After visiting this place I came to realize the nuns who serve at St. Scholastica are indeed true gems. The essence of this place is genuine peace and solitude, along with beauties of nature I encountered during my visit.
The nuns who touched my heart most:
Sister Cecelia Brickell who is the current archivist. I brought tears to her eyes after I presented her with restored nun photographs that served Nazareth. Plus – she was more than willing to walk down to the cemetery with me on a misty, drizzly morning at the monastery.
Sister Adrian Wewer who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Her gentle soul was continually apologetic for not remembering her life at Nazareth. Yet – her hugs were infectious, warm and loving.
Novice Michaela had an infectious laughter and gorgeous smile that will always be remembered.
I was ever blessed being apart of this community of nuns for such a short time. Beauty and grace abounds in even in the smallest of measures. The blessing and prayer on my safe trip back to Texas left tears in my eyes.
Photographs: Christena Stephens
