In Nairobi, cloistered Carmelites give themselves to God in prayer

Sr. Bernadette, a Carmelite Sister

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- For several of the cloistered Carmelite Sisters at Mount Carmel Convent, their life of prayer began in their families, when they were children. "My dad taught me to pray for others," said Sister Bernadette, one of the younger sisters. She said her father told her he knew sisters who prayed for everyone, and she asked if they could pray for her, too. She said she began corresponding with the sisters and was drawn to their life of prayer. Sister Constanza, who professed her final vows in January, said she attended Mass each morning because she did not live far from the local church.

Each evening, her family gathered to pray the rosary and other evening prayers. "I decided to give myself to the Lord for myself and for the salvation of souls," and the best way seemed to be contemplative life, she said. In an interview with Catholic News Service Feb. 16, several of the sisters talked about the path that led them to nearly continuous prayer each day. "I never dreamed of becoming a nun," said Sister Monica, who now serves as novice mistress for the order. In college, she met some Catholic students who began praying the rosary together, then attending daily Mass. One of the students wanted to become a Franciscan priest, and as he talked more about the saints, her interest grew. She said she was filled with "a desire to belong to Christ."