"It's generally quiet in the Altar Bread Department at the Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Westfield as Benedictine nuns in their full habits covered with smocks produce thousands of hosts to be consecrated and distributed to Catholics at the Eucharist.
"In keeping with the contemplative lifestyle of their order, the Congregation of Solesmes, there is little talking.
"When Sister Marie Anges Martel does her work at the cutting machine by the window, the dominant sound is the hiss and clunk of the machine cutting through layers of whole wheat wafers, which resemble thin pizza crusts.
"It is important work, for as Sister Claire-Joseph Desmarais, the altar bread official, said: 'We help Jesus bring himself to souls by making altar bread hosts. Through the priest, Jesus brings himself to the people.'
"She and the two other sisters who work in the department -- Sister Marie Anges and Sister Theresa Margaret Hagen -- enjoy their work 'helping bring Jesus to souls, the real, true bread of life.'
A recent Catholic News Service report reprinted a Vermont Catholic magazine profile of the monastery' altar bread ministry.
To access the Catholic News Service report, please visit:
Catholic News Service: Nuns say by making altar bread, they're 'helping bring Jesus to souls' (4 NOV 15)
To access the original article, please visit (it begins on page 10):
Vermont Catholic (November 2015)
Background information:
Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Congregation of Solesmes
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