Franciscans of Halifax Language selection: Contemplative Life Home Spirituality Links Pictures Where to find us Who we are Our History Contemplative Life Active Life Franciscan Life Contact  "A soldier on the front line cannot hold out long without support from the rear forces that do not actually take part in the fighting, but provide for all his needs: and that such is the role of prayer" In Saint Faustina's Diary. p.230 This quote is the reason a little group of three sisters have joined together in this house known as SAN DAMIANO  as " contemplatives." Their goal is to become a "Spiritual Nuclear Plant" to supply "energy", through their profound prayer life, for their Franciscan brothers and sisters and priests working on the battle field known as the Lord's vineyard. "Contemplatives,” says Father Roberto, “need to see the invisible, need a reason to pray."  These sisters feel they have found this reason. The contemplatives of San Damiano Community under the guidance of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare have started their journey in 2007. They endeavour to travel daily inwards of their being, adoring, praising, and loving God with their whole heart and soul while their brothers and sisters are dedicating themselves to those in need of support, of understanding, of love etc. Their deepest daily prayer is a perpetual surrender to their God. In this prayer of silence, simplicity, contemplation and adoration, the sisters will prepare the way for the Holy Spirit to develop and flow as graces to the " soldiers" on the front line. These sisters known as "contemplatives" are well aware that contemplation is a sheer gift from God. No exercises of their own can make it happen. These contemplatives, like the rest of us, can only desire it with all their hearts and wish that the Holy Spirit, the greatest engineer of all time, will make this "Nuclear Plant" function adequately for His greater glory and praise for ever and ever. Amen.  ...the contemplative "nuns relive and perpetuate in the Church the presence and the work of Mary.  Welcoming the Word in faith and adoring silence, they put themselves at the service of the mystery of the Incarnation, and united to Christ Jesus in his offering of himself to the Father, they become co-workers in the mystery of the Redemption." Verbi Sponsa "Unless one says good-bye to what one loves, and unless one travels to completely new territories, one can expect merely a long wearing away of oneself and eventual extinction"   sculpter Jean Dubuffet ( 1901-1985) in Sun and Moon by G.Staub p.35 The Pope tells you  "Yes, your life is more important than ever, your complete consecration is fully relevant today.  In a world that is losing the sense of the divine, in the light of the over-estimation of material things, you beloved Sisters, committed from your cloisters to be witnesses of certain values for which you live, be witnesses to the Lord for the world today, and instill with your prayer a new breath of life into the Church and into modern man."