Hidden talents of monastic women on show

Exquisite gold embroidery and hardanger needlework done by Christchurch’s Carmelite nuns will go on show during Beca Heritage Week, giving a rare glimpse into the lives of monastic women.

The exhibition, Embroidery Treasures from Hidden Monastic Women, opens the door into the world of women who have dedicated their lives to contemplative prayer and a deep relationship with God.

Speaking from behind an iron grille at Christchurch’s Carmel of Christ the King Monastery, Sister Teresa said the nuns decided to open a room at the Monastery to display their embroidery as a 'thank you' to the people of Christchurch.

“We want this to be our gift to the people of Christchurch. A sign of our appreciation. When we had our Golden Jubilee a few years ago it made us realise how much the people of Christchurch, even those who aren’t religious, appreciate us being here. One man said “every community needs a place like this”, so this is our chance to give back."

The exhibition is onsite at the Monastery on October 21 and 22 and will feature hardanger needlework altar cloths, gold thread investitures, candles, cards and a series of stunningly realistic clay flowers, made by two Vietnamese Carmelite sisters.

Sister Dorothea said the exhibition was an opportunity to display work that many of the sisters had invested months in.

Dressed in the traditional habit of Carmel: brown and white, with a black veil, Sister Dorothea said some of the pieces going on display were 30 or 40 years old.

“A lot of what we have done over the years has gone out as gifts, it hasn’t all stayed here, but what we do have left we want to show.”

Sister Dorothea said the works were produced by the sisters during their two hours of recreation each day. The Sisters dedicate six hours each day to prayer and religious readings, five hours to work, and two hours to recreation.

“We don’t do as much of the handwork as we did do in the past. It’s always been a feature of our lives and the skills have been passed on. Needlework and embroidery skills are present in many of the religious orders but yes the skills are dying as new technology presents itself.

“We get two hours of recreation each day and that is when we do our handwork or painting or making flowers. We come together as a group and chat and laugh and do our hobbies. It’s a wonderful time, but that is our only time for this, so these works can take many weeks or months to complete."

Alongside the embroidery will be a series of incredibly detailed clay flower displays by two Vietnamese sisters  - Sister Marie Angeline and Sister Maria Immaculata - who have been at the Monastery for two and half years.

The sisters were taught the art of flower making by a couple who came to their Monastery in Saigon seeking prayers for an event in their life.

“We both got something out of the experience,” Sister Maria Immaculata says. “We learned to do this and our prayers resulted in a good solution for them too.”

The exhibition will also feature works from the Sisters of the Sacred Name, and embroidery held by Father Chris Friel of the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.

Find out more on Beca Heritage Week.