The test of an authentic prayer-life is not whether we are rapt in ecstasy or having visions but whether we love our neighbour. Also, there’s not much point in praying for the cancellation of third world debt if we’re bearing grudges against the nun in the next cell. So we do try to love each other. It’s natural that we find some personalities more sympathetic than others; it’s also natural that we rub each other up the wrong way at times; but we try to go beyond natural affinity or irritation to find and love Christ in each sister. Individual nuns will have strong opinions on every conceivable subject and by no means do we all see eye to eye on everything, but if we’re putting love before everything else then we’ll know when to enjoy a lively discussion and when to swallow our views. Learning to love is the work of a life-time. --Benedictine Sisters of St Cecilia's Abbey

My friend Elizabeth sent me this amazing website. It's inspiring and reassuring to know that these nuns are praying and praising on our behalf, night and day. Moreover, their example, not only of prayer but also of charity, should give salt to our own daily lives. Their explanation here (in answer to the question, "Do you get on with each other or do you ever argue?") seems so practical, so simple, and so livable. I especially need this encouragement in my own life, as I learn to love my nearest sisters in Christ, my housemates.