Brother Hawkins Choi

First of all, I want to thank you all for your prayers and keeping us in mind. It has been half a year since we came to Ireland, and everything goes well here in Killarney Friary. By now we are all settled into our daily routine of prayer, classes, and service to the fraternity living in the Friary. This last month was really a special time: We had the opportunity to go on a hermitage experience for the last two weeks of March.

All of us four novices, plus novice master Brother Anthony, went to Valentia Island where we lived according to St. Francis’s Rule for Hermitages. Two of us were the mothers to keep the life of Martha, and two were the sons to keep the life of Mary. I was Mary in the first week and Martha in the second week. Aldin was the opposite.

It was a very good experience! I love especially being in Mary’s role. I was able to let go of everything (including the Internet) and only focus on prayer. I read and contemplated important texts about the life of St. Francis: The Legend of the Three Companions, and The Life of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano. Valentia is a very beautiful Island and God gave us two whole weeks of good and sunny days, which is almost like a miracle in Ireland at this time of year. That allows me to walk around and marvel at God’s creation everyday there. Praise the Lord!

Thank you all very much for all your prayers for us. Please be assured of ours for you all as well. May the Lord bless and keep you all and give you his peace.

Yours in Christ,

Brother Hawkins