Chapter 12...To the Nunnery

 TO THE NUNNERY

     Our Lady of the Holy Cross high school was a Catholic boarding school for girls and also for those aspiring to become nuns of their order.

     The building itself housed their convent on the 2nd floor.  Our girls' dormitory was on the 3rd floor while the 4th floor was the kitchen, private

nuns' dining hall and the larger students' dining hall.  The first floor was the central desk, office rooms and the chapel built in the back, next to the "bell tower".

Sister Mary Thomas was the "prefect" of the boarding students and lived on the 3rd floor with us.  (She was also one of the three sisters who had come to St. Anthony's in Park Falls to recruit students for OLHC.)  While I was in school there I never wondered about her age.  She just seemed capable, self-disciplined, caring and loving with a degree of detachment.  She was probably in her mid-thirties.  She was my mentor, counselor, role model and mother figure those 4 years.  I felt safe and loved with her.   

     It must have been sometime in my sophomore year that I heard "the calling".  I decided I was destined to be a nun. I wanted to be closer to God and to become "a saint", Catholic style.  I don't remember the specifics of the revelation or  the process of applying.  I was accepted into the training. 

We "preps" wore a black jumper with a long sleeve white blouse and a small black veil.  The other students wore a medium blue jumper, tan blouse with "peter pan" collar and a medium blue beanie.  We attended all the same classes and activities as the other students as well as sharing their dorm rooms.   I think we had to be at church for "vespers", the official evening prayers.  We had extra chores to help pay for our lodging and training.  These were usually done on Saturdays so we weren't as free to go home on weekends.

I had 2 friends who were also aspiring to be nuns, Mary and Marylin. Mary was from a farm family near to Park Falls,  Marylin was from Minneapolis.  I still remained friends with Judy, 

Sundays, for those boarding students who didn't go home for the weekend, was a strict day of no physical work.  This included not ironing a blouse if it happened to be needed.  There were occasions when a girl would sneak into the coatroom and quickly iron while another student stood  guard.   

The school held a yearly senior prom.  That year I was urged to attend to make sure I really had a calling to the religious life.  I would have preferred to attend in a serving capacity at the refreshment table.  Since I didn't have a boy friend someone arranged for a blind date from the local town.  I don't remember anything about the occasion, except it didn't sway my resolve to become a nun.  

When graduation ceremony arrived I was surprised to receive the outstanding student award.  It was equivalent to the valedictorian status.  We all expected a very intelligent girl name Peggy to receive it.  Evidently the school staff judged more on who worked the hardest.  Understanding that

there were 18 graduates, its not too prestigious that it was awarded to me.  The award was a silver bookmark with a dove.  I still have it tucked away with my life treasures.  

Regarding graduation ceremony, I don't think Aunt Emma was there. I remember my disappointment that my dad didn't come.  I had asked him several times to let him know how much it meant to me. He kept responding about how much money he would lose by not working those days.  It was the one time in my life that I wished I meant more to him than money.  Betsy was the only family there to share with me.

Before leaving the campus for the summer, I was given a large portion of black cloth to have my postulant habit made.  Also a long list of items to obtain before returning in the fall to start more serious training.

My sister, Betsy, and I soon left by train for Indianapolis for the summer.  I think she had intentions of returning to Merrill with me for her junior year. 

My most vivid memory of early summer is a shopping trip Betsy and I made shortly after arriving home.  I showed my dad the list of items I needed to purchase and he gave me a credit card for a particular department store to shop.  It was my first experience with credit and having a free range.  Betsy and I had a great time picking out

needed things for her as well.  The largest item was a trunk to store and ship my belongings.  

I don't remember how much the grand total was, but I do recall my dad's shocked look when he received the bill.  I'm sure at that point he was glad he stayed home to earn money instead of coming to my graduation.  But he was proud to have a daughter who was to become a nun. He bore the debt with great dignity.  

The other significant memory is obtaining a job as receptionist at Catholic Charities in a rough downtown neighborhood.   It was a small facility.  I sat across from and close to the entry.  The social worker had a room to the left between the door and me.  There was a button on the desk for me to ring if there was trouble.  Most days were quiet but one occasion a man came in wielding a baseball bat.  He was quite angry about something and started yelling and threatening with the bat.  I  rang the hidden bell and the social worker hurried out.  She interacted with the man who eventually left.  It was a rather startling experience.  The worker talked with me to ensure that I was alright. 

I think it was that day she advised me to leave early to go home.  Since it was off schedule I took a different bus route and got off at the wrong stop.  I must have known where I was but it was a few miles walk to get home.  Fortunately the weather was mild.  

I recall also that my brother, Eugene, in his mid-thirties, was living at home at the time.  He was suffering from mental and emotional problems.  We didn't talk much but he would pace the floors like a caged animal. He would buy boxes of donuts for his meals.  It was disturbing to me but I felt no danger.   Mom was also at home, in her own fantasy, detached world.  I was rather overwhelmed, but emotionally strong.  

This was June, but July was coming and with it a surprise bringing a sudden shift in my life.