You are loved.

One of the first people I met when we got to Austin was Ricky. I met him at a seminary-sponsored dinner at the dean's home. We began our conversation over an Austin microbrew. I learned that Ricky was a former Roman-Catholic priest. I felt an instant connection. He could understand my issues with the RC church. He was hilarious. We are "formers." We talked about Austin, moving, and were able to find some comfort in an unfamiliar place.

As our friendship developed I learned about Ricky's somewhat alter-ego, Sister Amor. Ricky is a novice of the Sister's of Perpetual Indulgence. He and other sisters dress up as nuns and do various forms of ministry and philanthropic events. Honestly, he had me at glitter and lashes. Eventually I got to see Sister Amor through a few events. Sister Amor and Ricky, are to me, the same person. They manifest from the same place. That place is love. Sister Amor often hands out cards that say, "You are beautiful. You are loved." I keep one on my desk at work.

Ricky will be leaving in just over 2 months. He will find out where his next call is soon. Selfishly I hope it's close because the thought of continuing this seminary journey without him, there are too many feelings. Before writing this blog post I asked Ricky's permission, he was generous and agreed. Rick knows that our home, wherever that may be, is always open to him. But only if he brings glitter...

You are beautiful. You are loved. -Sister Amor