Read Online Changing Habits by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

habits or that she’d soon be wearing one herself.
    A few moments later Sister Mary Louise appeared in the refectory doorway and signaled them to follow her. They paraded through the convent, through a series of corridors and passageways, arriving at a heavy wooden door.
    â€œThis is the entrance to your dormitory,” Sister explained.Angelina had been a visitor earlier in the year during her high school retreat, but it had all felt so different then.
    With the others, Angie slowly entered her new living quarters. The soon-to-be postulants clustered together, their shoes clattering against the stone floor. No one seemed willing to walk all the way inside.
    â€œCome in, come in,” Sister Mary Louise encouraged. Then one by one, she led them down the hallway and assigned them rooms.
    â€œThis will be your cell,” the Postulant Mistress told Angie. “I put you next to Karen.”
    Angie’s eyes linked with the other girl’s and they shared a smile. It would be good to have a friend, especially one who understood how difficult it had been to go against her father’s wishes. As soon as Sister Mary Louise pointed out her room, Angie moved inside, curious about the place where she’d be spending so many hours. It was stark, with only a bed, table and lamp, similar to the one she’d slept in just a few months earlier. She couldn’t help wondering how many other young women had prayed and slept and struggled with doubt and fear in this very room. How many other women had come to St. Bridget’s Sisters as she had, with a heart longing to serve? How many had stayed and how many had left? These were things she might never know.
    Sister Mary Louise hurried into Angie’s cell. “Here are your new clothes.” She set a stack of folded garments on the end of the bed.
    Angie waited until the nun had left before examining the unfamiliar garb. She could hear nervous giggles coming from the other cells. She discovered black woolen stockings, which she put on after the plain cotton underwear. Next was a dark tunic with long sleeves; they fell past her fingertips and she had to fold them back over her wrists. Then came the black vestlike shirt and pleated ankle-length black skirt, followed bya short cape. Last were the shoes—what she’d always thought of as “nun shoes”—one-inch-thick heels that laced up.
    When Angie had finished changing out of her street clothes and into her new ones, she stood in the cell doorway. Sister Mary Louise nodded approvingly when she saw her. “Does everything fit?”
    Everything hung loosely on her, but Angie suspected that was exactly how it was supposed to be. “I believe so, Sister.”
    â€œVery good. Now we’ll give you a veil.” She set Angie down on a stool in the hallway and retrieved a hairbrush from her pocket. With swift strokes, she pulled Angie’s hair severely from her face and fastened it in the back with hair clips, then secured a veil to her head. Only a few wisps from her bangs were visible.
    Soon all twenty of them were dressed and veiled. “This is your introduction to St. Bridget’s Sisters of the Assumption,” Sister Mary Louise explained. “During the induction ceremony a few minutes from now, Mother Superior will read a special prayer. I want you to bow your heads and listen carefully. Absorb as many of the words as you can and hold on to their meaning. This prayer is asking God to grant you whatever you need to be a good nun.” Sister Mary Louise paused briefly, glancing around at the assembled postulants.
    â€œLet me add,” she said, her expression serious, “that this time as a postulant is a period of testing. You are asking for the privilege and honor of becoming a novice. You are studying us and we’ll be studying you to ensure that you genuinely belong with us.”
    The Mistress of Postulants paused for a moment, meeting several