Hallelujahs and Hellos: A Teenage Volunteer’s Impression of Convent Life

Annalena Kluge is a high school student who began volunteering at the Tertiary Sisters’ convent in Brixen, Italy this summer.

Although it was not the first time that l came in contact with the Tertiary Sisters of St Francis (TSSF), it was the first time that l became actively involved in their everyday convent life. For about four weeks now, I have been helping out in the infirmary and nursing care section of the TSSF motherhouse, taking walks with the elderly sisters in the garden, reading to them, serving food and keeping them company.

Before this experience of working with the sisters, I could never have imagined how lively life in a convent could be, how much laughter there is in the convent and occasional differences in opinion. Being able to experience how actively faith is lived here and realizing that faith is what connects the sisters is very enriching. What a great opportunity and pleasure it is to see sisters from my secondary school days again!

I was warmly welcomed by everyone and the sisters in the infirmary showered me with kind words. No two days in the convent are the same. Yet in my memory they blur into a feeling of coziness. Usually, I arrive at the convent gate at 8:30 am and then make my way to the infirmary. The morning is spent either walking in the beautiful garden or indoors watching TV, reading to the elderly sisters or drinking tea. Lunch is served in the sick bay at 11 am, so the morning flies by. During lunch, I assist the nurses in serving food at noon after which l take my own lunch break.

Four times a week I also serve in the infirmary in the afternoons from 2:00 to 6:00. The afternoon activities are usually the same as in the morning. At the end of the day, l go back home full of new impressions. This will be my routine until the middle of August, and I am very happy to be able to spend my summer in a community like this.

So far, I have overcome a lot of my fears and have gained an immense respect for caregivers. I have also grown a little beyond myself.

Although I will still be there for a while, I would like to thank everyone who made my time in the convent such a wonderful experience.

My special gratitude to Sr Raphaela, Sr Heinrika, Sr Bernadette, Sr Theresina, Sr Maria Candida, Sr Eduarda, Sr. Assunta, and Sr. Philomena. I am indebted to the caregivers for the great job they do. I will forever remain grateful to all the sisters and my fellow intern Max who always responded to my “hellos” in a friendly manner.