By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Retreat is a time for deepening our relationship with God. We read … we observe … we listen. During yesterday’s retreat conference, we listened to Sr. Antoinette reflect on the love of God.
As Jesus says, “Father, they are your gift to me” (John 17:24). In other words, we are gift! God made us and gave us to Jesus as a precious gift. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
When I was a postulant, I struggled to adopt the monastic daily schedule. They get up before the sun, for heaven’s sake. Aaargh!
If you can’t tell, I am not a morning person. I walk around in a daze, barely aware of my surroundings. Coffee helps, but still.
So every day, I’d somehow end up in chapel for Lauds at 6:30 a.m., dressed and ready for school (I had to leave right after prayers). On the way to the chapel each day, I’d set my backpack on the bench outside the vocation office, often passing a Sister who was heading for her own office to drop off her purse. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Living obediently was a topic of yesterday’s retreat conference. Obedience is one of our monastic promises. But what does it mean today?
To obey comes from the Latin, obedire, to listen. In practice, what that means is to listen to – obey – God. We do so by reading Scripture, walking in nature and listening to one another, among other things.
But it’s not easy. Why? Because when we listen – really listen – we learn what God’s creation needs. We learn what our peers need of us. We learn what God needs of us. And when we understand, we are called to act. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Sunday’s retreat conferences struck me right where I live. They called us to live in the presence of God. Now you might think, Of course, that’s what nuns do … and you’re right! But for me, as I prepare to make my final monastic profession this summer, this theme challenges me to review. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
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