How do you know?

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Women discerning religious life always ask, “How did you know you found the right community? How did you know you were being called to this life choice?”

Well, goodness. It’s hard to explain in words, because it’s about feelings. That is, feelings are God’s grace working inside us, to guide us along the right path. They feel so subjective … but when they don’t go away, it means something. Continue Reading

Easter Sunday!

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

Easter Sunday at our home always meant we celebrated Eucharist together (or, as we said back then, “We went to Mass”).

What was special to us was that each of the 10 of us had something new to wear. Continue Reading

Our Benedictine 'Habit' of Seeking God Together

When the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery hung up their traditional habits and adopted the dress of the day nearly 40 years ago, they joined thousands of Catholic Sisters across the country who were doing the same thing.

Their decision was in response to the 2nd Vatican Council’s call to women religious to renew their congregations in the spirit of their founders … and St. Benedict had counseled that his followers wear the clothing of the day. Continue Reading

Rising Up Daily: 5th Sunday of Lent

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

“Dying daily” with the Lord has been in our lexicon and spiritual life always, and is an important theme of Lent. But, how about the corollary of “rising daily” with the Lord?

Daily rising up takes practice and a living faith. This is what we have been doing from Ash Wednesday up to now!

It means transforming our daily death-bearing situations into life-giving situations. Continue Reading