I should be implored by God to wear my girlhood like a sword so edged with mercy men would freeze in fear. 

      So I’m off to the convent, folks! After receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Dallas, my Masters of Fine Art in oil painting from the New York Academy of Art, I set out for Florence to do post-graduate work at the Florence Academy of Art. It was in Florence that I became familiar with the Religious of the Sacred Heart. 

      This semi-cloistered order, rooted in St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s Society of the Sacred Heart, houses a community of 15 nuns, the only community in the only house of this 'reform' order. As every Roman Catholic religious, these nuns take the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Their special fourth vow is one of education of the youth. 

      Many of the rooms of the convent building are used as classrooms. The school is co-ed with kids from 2 to 19 years old. Some of the nuns teach others busy themselves with the boarding students, while others deal with the business aspect of things. Whether it’s with the house, the school, the infirmary, or of course with prayer, you can imagine these nuns keep busy! 

      The convent stands as a large, white pillar amidst two-hundred olive trees, fruit trees, small vineyards and honey-beehives. While simple on the inside, it is bedecked with every sort of flower and greenery throughout the year on the outside! And of course, there is the view! As the building is just far enough outside the city-center, it lends itself to a breath-taking view of Brunelleschi’s Duomo and really all of Florence. And how amazing it is! 

      Of course one does not give up mother, father, sisters, and brothers for a view. Hidden in the Tabernacle of our little chapel is the Bridegroom of these brides of Christ – it is Jesus, fully present in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament. This is our greatest treasure, our Life, and our Love. It is for love of Him that I will leave my native land and everything I hold so dear to me. 
      
      And yet, you say to me, is He not truly present in every Tabernacle in every Catholic Church in the world? I tell you, yes, this is true; He is there as well – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity this little Babe lies in His golden crib abandoned in so many other diocese which are in such desperate need of help. So why is it that I do not stay at least closer to my family and make Him known in those areas? 

      How mysterious indeed are His works! As our understanding of things is so limited, we do not have the eyes of God which are uninhibited by time and space, we are sometimes baffled by what He asks of us. And so I tell you that this is what He is asking of me – somehow my being in Florence as a semi-cloistered nun will bring more souls closer to Him, closer to their true happiness, than any other life I could think to lead. 

      Often we think we are doing so much good – telling so many people about His Love, His Mercy, helping them physically as saints like Mother Teresa did. I can touch so many people in any one day, even in the grocery store, bringing some light on what is a world of confusion and suffering for people. Shouldn’t I use these gifts, this capacity God has given me to help so many others in need of the knowledge and talents which have been bestowed on me? 

      While the life of physical service to others is crucial and thank God there are those who are called to that sort of life -How dangerous it is when we can physically see the fruits of our labor. Pride can blind us and trick us into thinking that we are the Savior! As someone I love very much has made clear to me – I tell you, if you think you are the Savior you will be damned! 

      Now look, there’s no need for fire and brimstone here, just a complete reversal of perspective. We have to know that unless God blesses the house, in vain do the builders labor; essentially, if we’re doing it because we think we are helping people then we’re screwed. But, if we are truly trying to become vessels, instruments doing His Will for love of Him then happiness for all eternity! 

      I know I’ve already gone on too long, but I guess I’m just trying to answer a lot of questions I’ve been asked. Essentially, I’m going to Florence to enter a convent where it doesn’t even matter whether or not I can paint or sing or bake. I’ve been called in a special way (just like any bride to her groom) to love and serve Him as a nun in Florence – not Texas, not New York, but Florence, Italy. Somehow (and this is where we must not underestimate the power of prayer/offering up our little everything through Him, with Him and in Him!) He will use me in this new life to set the whole world ablaze with the fire of His love! 

      How His Heart is consumed with love of each human being on the face of the earth! And how desperately does He want to let each one know how loved he/she is and how Merciful He is! He wants especially those who think that it’s too late, those who think they can never return to or start a deeply profound relationship with Him because they’re “just not that type of person [anymore]” – He wants those especially to know that He loves them to death! and even now He would have you back – even if you were to fail to love Him a million more times. Just as long as you always returned – as long as you always trusted in His infinite Love and Mercy. Just don’t compromise by living a life of lukewarmness. How deep is the Deep! 

      Pray for me please. Pray that I always do His Will. Pray that if it be His pleasure, I remain a faithful servant of the Society of the Sacred Heart. And if it is not His pleasure, pray that He will grant me the peace of mind and the courage of heart to follow Him in some other way – in whatever other way He desires. Know that He is loved! and that He Loves! 

                    If all is lost, thanks be to God 
                    I must see it go, watch it go 
                      Watch it fade away, die 
              Thanks be to God that He is all I have 
              And if I have Him not, I have nothing at all 
               Nothing at all, only a farewell to the wind 
                       Goodbye, God be with you 
                           Evening October sky 
                If everything is lost, thanks be to God 
                                For He is HE 
                             And I, I am only I. 

              (poetry from Vanauken’s A Severe Mercy)

Last answers to a few more questions:
Are you stuck once you enter in September?
It’s not for a really long time until I make final vows.  I'm sorry, I never quite get this right, but I know that there is a least 6 months as a postulant, then two years as a novice. Then there are simple vows.  My understanding is that these vows are renewed every year - aka, if it’s not my call, no problem, I can leave at the end of the year (of course this decision being the fruit of much prayer and discernment).  Then, I believe it's 6 years until final vows are made.  So, that makes at least eight and a half years!  Remember, God’s not trying to trick anyone into a life of misery, into a life she’s not called to live.
What is semi-cloistered?
Semi-cloistered essentially means that I will never be leaving convent grounds, but that others come in and out even seeing us without any type of screen or grill. As I wrote in the above – we have a school, so there is a lot of interaction so far as school things are concerned even just on a daily basis. Within the building there are areas marked clausura, don’t go in those – those are cloistered areas – consecrated only.
What’s communication like?
Limited.  Do check out the convent's website, though www.sacrocuore.com And one letter a month to family (except during Advent and Lent – as these are times of deeper reflection and prayer). But of course, obedient charity is the rule. If we feel the need to write more than one letter a month, permission just needs to be granted (as will most likely happen out of charity) from the Mother Superior.
So far as what I can receive:
write as many letters as you want! (Just keep in mind I won’t be able to write back in a proportionate manner).
What’s the habit?
All black with a long black veil. There is a long dress which is then layered by a ‘pazienza’ which is essentially just a scapular connected at the waste.
Can I come visit?
Short answer, yes.  (Respecting the reflective times of Advent and Lent).  There is university and guest housing. (A little tricky with curfew and dinner time when the gates close, but still very doable). Whether or not I can spend every hour with a guest – that’s highly improbable, but an hour here, an hour or two there – that’s certainly likely especially when they’re guests from overseas. Guys, you’re a bit trickier because even with guest housing, unless you’re with your family you really probably won’t be able to stay at the convent – visit, certainly, but not stay.
Why semi-cloistered, won’t you feel suffocated?
Without going into detail, all I can tell you is that it was a very concrete moment when I was given the premonition that it was within a cloistered life that I was to find perfect freedom. When talking with my Mother-Superior-to-be, she reflected on this, saying that yes, it is only in the confines of His Infinite Heart that we will know perfect freedom, happiness, and peace.

http://www.sacrocuore.com/  (the covent school's website - notice the snail mail address on the entrance page)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02283a.htm
(on the foundress)

history and info about the order as it was originally established http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14111b.htm)

Ok, that’s all. Stay close to His Heart through His Mother and I’ll see you in Heaven! (and it won’t be my fault if I don’t see you there ;) …you’ll be in my prayers

In His Sacro Cuore, Annie Heyne