The Cistercian way of life is cenobitic.
Cistercian nuns seek God and follow Christ
under a rule and an abbess (Superior) in a stable community
that is a school of mutual love.
Since all the sisters are of one heart and one mind,
they have everything in common.
By bearing one another’s burdens they fulfil Christ’s law,
participating in his sufferings
in the hope of entering the kingdom of heaven
(OCSO CST 3)
We are now 10 sisters: 6 solemn professed, 3 simple professed and one sister oblate. With open hand and heart we are praying for local vocations so to be deeper rooted here in the Diocese of Macau as a presence of faith and of continual prayer in the city "of the Holy Name of God".
Faithful in following the centuries’ old Rule and monastic tradition of St. Benedict, the Trappistine community of Macao gather in their community chapel seven times a day to pray, the liturgy provides a structure and discipline to the day which usher them to maintain mindfulness of God throughout the day.
Trappistine nuns work daily for the glory of God and the good of community. The work of the Trappistine Nuns in Macao consists of caring and cleaning the historic house and church where they live, welcoming visitors visiting the community and their small shop selling their homemade cookies, rosaries and cards, etc.
Trappistine nuns are keeping their prayers as missionary as possible. Their witnessing assures us that in our triumphs and joys, there are prayers reaching up to God in grateful thanksgiving. In our weariness, their presence assures us that there are small voices murmuring before God, pleading for grace and strength. In our frailty and sinfulness, they strengthen us through their divine worship, that we may find our way back to the loving embrace of the Father’s forgiveness. We may never have the chance to meet them in person, but they keep us dearly in their hearts…in their hidden prayers and solitude. (O'Clarim, Catholic Weekly, Macau, 2018)
