Chapter 137 Nun
Our Lady of the Church is generally only opened near the lower-level neighborhoods.
This is the case with this Our Lady’s Monastery.
It looks far less solemn and solemn than the Dawn Church of Hope Church, let alone its grandeur, it is just a simple gray stone building. There are no reliefs or patterns visible on the two stone pillars on the left and right of the door, they are completely bare.
Enter through the gate and step onto the winding path paved with cobblestones, with cemeteries surrounded by pointed iron fences on both sides.
There are lawns, trees, shrubs, hedges and flower beds in the cemetery, and the low walls are covered with vine-like plants. A few crows were sitting on the pine and cypress branches in the cemetery, tilting their heads and croaking wildly.
Miss Sparrow knows that most of the people buried here are homeless disabled people or lonely elderly people. In view of the small size of the cemetery, those who can rest here can often be regarded as "lucky".
The two walked through the cemetery and saw a huge square church in the distance. There is no excessive decoration, and the overall style is simple and unpretentious.
Besides the top of the porch, there is a relief sculpture of the Virgin.
It is also the only relief sculpture that can be seen in the monastery.
To Gillan's surprise, the image of the Virgin was that of a young woman. He wears a simple and plain robe, with a hood covering his head. His eyes are invisible, leaving only a high bridge of his nose and slightly raised corners of his mouth.
His hair falls down on his chest, his hands are folded and placed gently on his lower abdomen, in a holy posture with his head slightly bowed, as if he is looking down and showing mercy to all living beings.
‘In August, the Virgin Mary mourns. ’
Jilan raised his eyes and stared at the relief.
‘He is also the god of torture and sacrifice in this other world. ’
Since the last time he signed a contract with Weiwei, he was glanced at by the "Twin Kite" of May Sichen, and he knew that although these Sichen did not appear in reality, they were mostly active.
It’s uncertain, Our Lady is always watching the world.
Perhaps at this moment, I silently watched him and Miss Sparrow walking into the monastery.
Miss Sparrow suddenly stopped, her face solemn.
She put her left hand under the veil of the little top hat, covering her forehead, put the index and middle fingers of her right hand together, stacked them on the back of her left hand, and saluted the relief from a distance.
"Feel the same, understand the torture. Face the suffering, and be willing to sacrifice."
She chanted the motto of Our Lady and prayed for a while.
Then he turned to Jilan and said:
"Mr. Snow Owl, let's go in."
"Yes."
Gillan nodded.
After entering the church, the interior seemed very dark. Not even a window could be seen. There were only a few scattered candles burning with weak firelight.
Miss Sparrow told him in a low voice that this was because the Virgin was in darkness, so the attendants tried to empathize with Him and have some kind of connection.
There are wooden benches and seats in the church, with an aisle in the middle leading directly to the announcement table at the end.
At this time, there were seven or eight disabled people sitting on the benches with their heads bowed in prayer, without any reaction to the two people who came in.
Creak.
The small arc wooden door on one side opened, and an old nun slowly walked out.
She was dressed in black robes and a white nun's hat, with a pattern embroidered on the strip of cloth in front of her forehead. It looks like a cross superimposed on a circle, but the circle is missing a corner.
This is the "cross with missing circle" symbolizing the Virgin Mary.
“Excuse me, are you two here to worship?”
The old nun had a kind face and smiled.
Although the monastery assists the disabled and homeless, wealthy people occasionally visit to worship or make donations.
"Yes." Miss Sparrow said politely.
But then she carefully added:
"But there is another thing... I want to apply to the monastery to become a nun here." "Huh?" "The old nun was shocked when she heard this.
She looked at their clothes carefully, looking a little uncertain.
Generally speaking, those who are willing to join the monastery are often girls from poor families, or girls whose lives are unsatisfactory and desperate.
But the girl in front of her was obviously not dressed like a low-class person. The old nun didn't quite understand why the other party did this.
“I escaped from the city of Brak in the Great Forest District. The war destroyed everything for me.”
Miss Sparrow saw the confusion on the old nun's face and explained in a low voice.
“I want to serve the Holy Mother, help the suffering people, and at the same time bathe in the radiance of the Holy Mother and be comforted...”
As she said this, she took off her little top hat.
Without the cover of the veil, Miss Sparrow's terrifying face suddenly came into view of the old nun, which shocked her.
But soon, the old nun showed sympathy and mercy and stepped forward to give her a hug. Then he comforted in a low voice:
"May the Holy Mother have mercy on you, child."
Soon, the old nun turned sideways and pointed at the small wooden door.
"Come, you wait in the quiet room for a while, and I will ask the dean for instructions. She will ask you some questions in person later, and you just need to answer them truthfully."
"Yes." Miss Sparrow nodded and put on her little hat again.
Then he turned to look at Gilan, took the suitcase from him with a smile, and walked into the wooden door with three steps.
Ji Lan took a deep breath and sat on the wooden chair beside him.
Being bored, he simply closed his eyes and rested.
Not long after, the old nun who had just left came with another older nun. This man had pale hair and was wearing a wide, white robe. The pattern of "missing circle and cross" fell on a square scarf on the collar.
When passing by Jilan, the white-haired dean smiled at Jilan.
The two walked into the wooden door and gently closed the door.
About ten minutes later, Miss Sparrow walked out and came directly to Ji Lan. She seemed very happy and whispered:
"Mr. Snow Owl, Dean Padmell agreed to my request."
Miss Sparrow sat next to Gillan.
"It's just that I can only serve as a novice nun for the time being. I need to be baptized in the monastery for six years before I can become a formal nun."
The "baptism" she mentioned is unique to the Holy Mother Church. Sprinkling ceremony. At eight o'clock in the morning and eight o'clock in the evening every day, you need to dip your food, middle and ring fingers into holy water and sprinkle it on your body to complete the baptism.
Eight o'clock is also the symbol of the "Mourning Virgin" in August. It lasts for six years before it can be converted to orthodoxy. After that, you will be named in the church directory, participate in important church affairs, and be protected by the church.
"Congratulations." Gillan said. "I believe Miss Sparrow that you will become a regular employee soon."
"Yes." Miss Sparrow smiled.
But soon, she fell silent again.
After hesitating for a while, he stretched out his little hand and took Jilan's hand.
"If you have time, remember to come over and see me," she said.
"Yes, yes." Gilan nodded.
"Wait for me for a moment." Miss Sparrow stood up and ran back to the quiet room.
She took off her high-end clothes, folded them neatly, and put them in her suitcase. This set of clothes was specially selected for her by Mr. Snow Owl. Miss Sparrow cherishes it very much and looks forward to wearing it again one day in the future with her original appearance.
After changing into a plain red novice nun's robe, Miss Sparrow awkwardly put on a nun's hat and walked out of the quiet room again.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
(End of this chapter)