Using the Sun to Adore the Son!
The Bridgittine Sisters in downtown Columbus are nearing the completion of a two year project to use solar power to facilitate their primary task of Adoring Jesus who is the Son of the Heavenly Father. They hope to literally use the Sun to adore the Son!
Running on over 650 years of religious fidelity and spiritual fruitfulness beginning with St Bridget of Sweden; the Bridgittine sisters have adoration of the Eucharistic Jesus at the center of their lives. Given the establishment of their newest convent in the United States in Columbus, the sisters have begun the incredible task of renovating a former school into a convent, building a new adoration chapel as well as a guest house all with the primary aim of bringing people closer and closer to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
While the goal is lofty, given the present economic situation in the country, the Lord has given them peace of mind to continue to work towards bringing His peace to every person who visits the convent.
When the Mother Abbess of the Bridgittine Order, Mother Fabia, was visiting the Columbus convent several years ago she asked about utilizing solar panels to reduce the ever growing costs of utilities. Mother Fabia lives in Rome at the Motherhouse of the Bridgittine Order, in Europe the practice is common and even widespread to employ solar panels to help reduce energy costs. After some initial research and communication with several companies the Columbus convent began the process of switching to solar generated power.
The Columbus convent won’t totally be off the grid but rather contribute towards the energy the overall grid needs. Ideally, the energy generated during the warmer and sunny months will allow the sisters to reduce if not even nearly totally eliminate their monthly electric bill for the whole year.
While the sisters’ acknowledge there is an undeniable element of being good stewards of creation the primary aim is to be good and responsible servants of the Lord and the gifts He bestows upon them through the generosity of their benefactors. Their timeless prayers and perpetual focus on Jesus doesn’t prevent them from being open to using modern means of generating power.
Given the recent entrance of a young woman into their venerable Order the Bridgittine sisters hope for a bright future for their Columbus Convent.the sisters are looking to a future wherein many people will come to Adore the Lord Jesus in their adoration chapel and experience His peace all while the power needed to run the convent and chapel is coming from the sun.
