By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
“As we take up battle against spiritual evils, may we be armed with weapons of self-restraint.” (Prayer for Ash Wednesday Mass)
We peacemakers dislike the image of war being used in the Lenten season. Yet, in reality we often face a mental battle with our inner self as we try to be faithful to our Lenten resolutions. Continue Reading
Benedictine Sisters process to Mass in their heavy serge habits.
By Sister Charlotte Sonneville, OSB
It was a hot August afternoon when Sisters Marilyn Hettinger, Sandra Mock and I arrived back at the Catechetical Center in Ladd, Illinois. We had been driving for 4 hours, returning from 2 months at the monastery in Nauvoo.
We had just changed out of our traditional wool habits and into our cotton work habits when the phone rang. Father William, OSB, told us that the local Presbyterian pastor’s wife had died. Could we please represent our Catholic community at her funeral?
Of course we said yes. We had enjoyed some great youth programs with our two Churches and knew that it was important to offer our prayerful support.
But changing back into our hot, heavy serge habits was quite a sacrifice. And the funeral was just an hour from then. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Yesterday at Mass, Father Duane Jack spoke about invitation in his homily. It’s worth thinking about!
Invitations come in many forms: formal and casual, professional and personal. On another level, invitations also come from Jesus. Continue Reading
By Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB
I live in Peoria, serving as a canon lawyer in the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese. But I love spending time at the monastery, my home.
Every time I go home, I look forward to praying Liturgy of the Hours with my Sisters. Continue Reading
From left, Benedictine Sisters Sandra, Stefanie, Sheila, Susan and Jackie study a spiritual text together in the library.
By Susan Hutchens, OSB
“Obedience” is a word that sometimes gets a bum rap. We’ve come to see it as a negative thing, requiring a response because of a directive – Do this! or Don’t do it! Or else!
But it has a very positive side too. I choose to ‘obey,’ to do what needs to be done, out of love for another, or belief in a principle. Continue Reading
By Sister Mary Core, OSB
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Jesus’ familiar words are a reminder that the power of our prayer is enhanced when we pray with others.
It happens when we share a blessing before a meal we are about to enjoy. Continue Reading
By Sister Mary Jane Wallace, OSB
One of my favorites quotes is by George Elliston, an accomplished poet born in 1883, but little known today. She wrote, How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it. Continue Reading
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