Right to Be Merry by Mary Francis

Right to Be Merry Reviews

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  7jane

  This book is a about a Colettine branch Poor Clare community in Roswell, New Mexico, starting from its beginning in November 1948 (including the train ride experience and settling in the recently-bought building). It's a story of nuns, cloistered but not detached, showing their challenges, cares and joys, and informing us of what their life is really like. The book starts with the prefaces from 1973 (post-Vatican changes) and 2000 (the author's return to a new Chicago monastery with other 5 nuns), which can be read as an epilogue. And at the end is a glossary on some terms and names for some work positions.
  
  The book is quite easy to read as the author is quite good at using some humorous scenes to lighten up the story, and she's also good at bringing out the facts and the spirituality of all that goes on in the monastery. There's quite a lot packed into this book.
  
  We start with a short history of St Clare and the forming of her order, then move to reasons for enclosure and what nun needs to thrive in this environment, mentally. There's talk about their poverty, not as gloomy as one might think though they eat simply, sleep in their clothes and the feet will feel the cold in winter in their sandals. We get to know all the embarrassments and joys of the postulants and the novices, the moods gone through doing the daily office, what they eat, how the bells are rang, how the clothes keep getting mended and dyed (again and again). Talk about the consecrated virginity, the postiviness of obedience, and the usefulness of their contemplativeness (just like active orders', but different ways). Friendship and patience, living the life following the way of Christ in the Gospels.
  
  (And what do they do all day - besides praying, the daily office, the Mass? Well - things like cooking, gardening, typewriting, mending & sewing, reading aloud to others, washing clothes & dishes, writing plays and poems, cleaning the house, practicing music or a play for a certain time of year or a visit, work in the library, handle the incoming letters, etc etc etc.)
  
  I found the use of 'doors' in the last chapter very fitting: they open, they close, they lead to certain rooms with certain memories, they are in different stage of condition, of different decorations and materials. They show to the author different stages in monastery life, as she passes by them at the end of the book, to celebrate the day before Christmas Eve. So the book ends in a happy, glorious way, happy like the life in this monastery is.
• 
  Ann-Marie

  I was assigned this book by my Book Boss. It's the story of the Poor Clare sisters who set up a convent in New Mexico. It follows their daily life, their prayer, what living in community means, and is a lovely glimpse into the life of the sisters. This is the first book I've read about cloistered sisters, and it answered a lot of things I wondered about. Mother Mary Francis is a great writer, she's funny and witty, warm and touching, and not afraid to speak the truth bluntly, but with love.
  
  I've never particularly been drawn to St. Francis or St. Clare - they were a little too hippy or nature-y for me. Well, I had them pegged all wrong. I was glad to have my misconceptions shattered.
• 
  Natalie Cesare

  Sister’s book about helping to start a new Poor Clare monastery in Roswell, New Mexico in the 1940’s is utterly charming and exudes a sincere joy and unwavering love for her vocation, fellow sisters and a desire to share it with the whole world. She so attractively describes the hidden life of cloistered religious sisters that you can’t help but consider turning your back on your own! But nothing about it is romanticized or exaggerated. One of my biggest takeaways was her conviction that those who find their way into a life of enclosure are not running from the world but are there precisely because they do love the world (flowers, sleep, children, music, dance, painting, study, romance, all of it!) and love only God more. Sister is so practical but so sensitive and so smart and this book is like sitting down with a best friend or older sister after a first date and saying “Now dish the details!” You will laugh and also likely be moved to tears. For Catholics and non-Catholics alike or anyone who has ever happened to wonder what would cause any sane, smart or beautiful young woman to give herself over to this kind of life.
• 
  Maximilian Nightingale

  Excellent book, from the little stories about the beginnings of a poor monastery to the theological reflections on the counsels and charisms. This book had me both laughing out loud (in a very quiet monastery) and also moved me from the depths. This was recommended to me 10 years ago and I wish I had accepted the recommendation sooner!
• 
  Emily

  A beautifully written look into the life and philosophy of the Poor Clares, but also greatly beneficial for anyone who wishes to grow in holiness and become closer to God. Mother Mary Francis has a true gift with words.
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  Lenny Husen

  My copy was printed in 1961 and cost 50 cents. This book has sat on my mother's bookshelves for the past 60 years and I have seen its little pink cover a thousand times, winking at me. Finally I decided to read it, and it has been sitting on my bookshelf for the past 6 months or so. Just finished it yesterday.
  This book is authentic, unique and very valuable--written by a Contemplative Nun of the Poor Clares, an Order founded by St. Francis of Assissi and St. Clare in the 13th Century.
  Sister Mary Francis (1921-2006) was one of 9 nuns to go to Roswell, New Mexico to start a new Monastery there. They needed a new roof, and as she wrote poetry and was college-educated, they asked her to write a book in order to win a contest to raise money for the roof. This book was the result.
  With a wry sense of humor and absolute sincerity, she describes the life of a Nun, and why they are happy living in a small community, never leaving the grounds, never seeing their family except through a veil and a grille, never having sex, never talking to anyone other than their family of fellow nuns, getting up at 12:30 am to chant, having to ask permission to do anything other than the strict prescribed daily work.
  I won't say it is an easy read, but definitely a very worthwhile one, that became more interesting halfway through.
  I ordered a book of Poetry by the author. She was an amazing person--a Playwright and Poet, a Mother Abbess, a true Leader.
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  Megan

  A dear friend pressed me to read this, and I am so glad she did. This glimpse inside the cloister is a great grace to lay people; it strips away the rumors and fuzzy ideas about "what they do all day" and takes you to the very heart of the Church. It's like a retreat, but without having to leave your living room! Truly, if you've ever wondered what contemplative life is all about, you need to read this book.
• 
  Alanna Carlson

  Mother Mary Francis' love for writing poetry is evident in her beautiful prose. She made me laugh multiple times while reading this book, but she also taught me so much about the cloister and about love of one's neighbor and humility. Wonderful read, beautiful book. Something to consider especially if you are discerning God's call in your life.
• 
  Jane

  still timeless. i have read this book at least 3 times. Mother's writing is thoughtful and thought proking. She gives a insightful and intimate view of life in her Poor Clare Monastery. Colettine Poor Clares are the strictest of the Poor Clares so not all Monasteries when today are like this. These Poor Clares are not the same as Mother Angelica's Sisters either.
• 
  Ailsa

  I don't know if it's just me, but I love to read books about/by cloistered nuns. As a wife and mother, my life is so different from that of Mother Mary Francis and her sisters, but I saw many parallels and found solace and inspiration in reading her accounts of their life together. I enjoyed learning a bit more about St Francis and St Clare too.
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  CelesteCreates

  Beautiful is an understatement!! What a precious look into the cloistered life of these Poor Clare nuns we have conversed with for many years. How joyful, how simple. Sweet humor makes you smile and wish to escape to their monastery. Such a read!
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  Cathy

  Joyful and inspiring. Pull up a chair and be ready to be able and sit and read until you finish it. Sister Mary Francis' faith and love for Christ, her sisters in the monastery, and all of humanity provides a beautiful picture of the life of Poor Clare sisters.
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  Eliina Pajunen

  An excellent book with applications to all lives. Very helpful for those discerning religious life. Have read it again and again and always come away with new wisdom.
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  Clare Martha Thérèse

  This book greatly altered my view of life in the cloister. From a worldly point of view, the enclosure might seem somewhat oppressive, strict, or even ridiculous. On the contrary, Mother Mary Francis presents life as a cloistered religious as it truly is: a great joy. It is hard not to be drawn towards the attractive style of life she so vividly describes, and to not be challenged towards a higher way of life, whatever God may be calling you to. A Right to Be Merry is a joy to read and a real treasure to be cherished.
• 
  Christine

  Ever wanted to know what it means to be a cloistered nun? This book will give you the skinny. It's the classic "nun" book and people have been reading it steadily since it's original publication in back in the 50's. Ignatius Press recently reprinted it saving us all from haunting eBay and hoping to get a copy for under $50 so what are you waiting for?
  
  It followes the daily lives of the Poor Clare nuns as they found their Roswell convent. The Poor Clares Colettine are one of the strictest cloistered orders in the Church and while the books dates from the 50s their lives have not changed much despite the many reforms that have come to other order. This may have a great deal to do with the fact that they are one of the few orders that has been steadily growing and founding new convents in the United States.
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  Suzanne

  This book shatters many of the myths and preconceived ideas of what life is like as a cloistered nun, specifically The Poor Clares. I found this book to be fascinating as it gives us a peek into life in the monastary and into the everyday lives of the nuns who live a life of enclosure. I am privileged to live just a few blocks from this monastary in Roswell and have been there many times to pray in their chapel (sometimes I get to hear the nuns singing). I am not Catholic but I learned much from reading this book. I am impressed by their love and devotion to God and their constant worship. I can hear the bells of the monastary from my house and they remind me to slow down from my busyness and to worship my Savior.
• 
  Kathryn

  Summary: The life of cloistered nuns. Hilarity and thoughtfulness ensues!
  
  Why I Read This: A bunch of the other Sisters were like, "you would love this book!" And I was like, "book, where?" [Imagine the dog from "Up" when he sees a squirrel.]
  
  Review: Ok, this book is the best. I'm not in a cloistered order (we leave the house and stuff), but I think that this book perfectly encapsulates the life of women religious everywhere. It's at times hilarious (oh, postulants and your foibles), sentimental, spiritual, and generally awesome. Recommended to all people everywhere as it is a frank and enjoyable look at religious life.
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  Katharine Bond

  I thought this book was a great spiritually uplifting read. Sr. Mary Francis is good at radiating purity and warmth without becoming preachy. Every young Catholic woman should read it at least once, because it is a very intimate, honest look at what the life of a cloistered nun is like. No benefit or sacrifice is allowed to go undisclosed, and the reader is left with an inner peace that comes with a better understanding of the spiritual life. After all, the lessons found in this story can be applied to life in the world in most cases.
  
  Excellent book.
• 
  Christine

  Back in print after many years, another must read vocation story. The Poor Clares Colettines are one of the few orders that has continued to grow by leaps and bounds over the last 50 years, founding new communities all over the country and when you read this book you'll see why. It is the story of the founding of their Roswell community in the 30s ( I believe).
  
  
  
  If you have ever wondered what the life of a cloistered nun is like and what it means this is the book to read.
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  Willa Guadalupe Grant

  I truly loved this book- the author is certainly of her time but brings across her absolute joy in serving as one of Gods brides. The life of a Poor Clare nun is tough but from this author's viewpoint it is rich & wonderful beyond anything ordinary life can offer. I felt happy & spiritually strengthened after reading this book.
• 
  Debbie

  I enjoyed reading this book, which emanates the joy the author has in her religious vocation as a Poor Clare.
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  Laura

  It's wonderful to know how hard and devote a sister must be
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  Rosalba

  It is a beautiful, charming book to open our eyes to the beauty of Catholicism and being the bride of Christ, which some people believe is torture, but which is really a life of heaven on earth.
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  Hk

  I'm not religious, but this book creates such a peaceful image I considered becoming a cloistered nun at times. It's not a particularly exciting book, but her joy leaks through every page.