saxton photographic

Sister Mary Teresa takes linens off of the line during a rainy afternoon at the convent. The sacred linens used to dress the altar are usually washed every week.

A pile of clothespins is scattered across the table, ready to hang linens on the line outside. The sacred linens used to dress the altar are usually washed every week.

Mother Margaret Mary reads exerts of a text with the writings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a French Catholic nun who lived in the 19th century, at Carriage Court, an assisted living facility, in Grove City, Ohio. The sisters visit the elderly who live there once a week to pray and read with the residents.

Mother Margaret Mary hugs Gloria Turek, left, after reading and praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with other residents of Carriage Court, an assisted living facility in Grove City, Ohio. The sisters from Children of Mary visit the residents at Carriage Court once a week.

Sister Agnes Immaculae graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and worked as a professional dancer before hearing the call to join religious life with the Children of Mary, she said.

Sisters who belong to the Children of Mary vow to pray for priests. “Without them, there would be no holy mass or holy eucharist,” Mother Margaret Mary said. The sisters spend every Friday fasting and praying for seminarians and priests in the diocese.

Sister Agnes Immaculae reaches to save a birdie during an afternoon of recreation at the convent. Between prayer and working on the farm the sisters will spend a few hours each week relaxing with board games, badminton and leisure reading.

Mother Margaret Mary welcomes a few dozen high school and elementary-aged girls to a 4-day retreat at the convent in early August. The girls, most of whom are home schooled, spent time in prayer and growing in the Catholic faith, Mother Margaret Mary said.

(from left) Sister Mary Teresa, Sister Agnes Immaculae and Sister Philomena Maria wash dishes following their silent lunch period. The sisters will dine while listening to a religious text or reading from spiritual books.

Sister Marianne, a novice who aspires to become a sister, prepares the chapel for daytime prayer with incense and lighting candles. The sisters pray communally about five times a day either in the chapel on the grounds or at mass at a local church.

Sister Marianne prays in the chapel during daytime prayer. The sisters pray communally about five times a day either in the chapel on the grounds or at mass at a local church.