Dispatch #6 from Sr. Bobbi
Besides tramping through the historical sites and ruins, the 29 Benedictine Sisters participating in the Benedictine Rome Renewal Program are enjoying lively conferences. We began with a conference on Monastic Instincts. Sr. Karen Joseph, OSB, spoke of instincts like listening, humility, helpfulness, holding ones tongue, bearing with, reverence, and consistency. Continue Reading
Yesterday was a special day at the Monastery. Sr. Estelle turned 102 years old! She is still pretty sharp and fun loving. In fact, two of our nursing staff are taking Sister on a boat cruise on the Mississippi today. What a hoot..she has never done that! Continue Reading
In Christianity’s earliest community, if someone received money from their work or selling something they owned, then the money went into the community collection to be used for the needs of the whole. Special care was given to the widowed and orphans because they had no means to get money. Likewise, the community cared for the elderly and sick. Each person had what they needed. We live similarly today. Continue Reading
This weekend we had a 42-year-old woman visit the monastery as part of her discernment. ‘V’ perfectly fits the profile that our community considers a solid vocation possibility. In addition, she fits the profile of the culture for women her age. For instance, V is very pleased with and fulfilled in her professional life. Continue Reading
Another key Benedictine value – and charism – is hospitality. (A charism is a gift from God to be shared with the world). We seek to offer warmth, tolerance and joy when welcoming others. We seek to welcome others as they are. We believe, as St. Benedict says, that All guests … are to be welcomed as Christ. RB: 53 For more reflections on Benedictine values, read our vocation newsletter, Steps, and visit our Benedictine Oblates blog!
Stefanie posted two great prayers this week regarding discernment (in “A Time to Plant,” below). What struck me was each prayer referred to knowing your gifts and how best to use them in service of God and God’s People. That is the crux of discernment!
Here’s what I mean: While our Benedictine community has the gift of leading a rhythmic life of prayer and work, other communities are quite different. Many emphasize work more than living in community and sharing prayer. Some are cloistered and emphasize prayer over work. Our community values living together at the monastery, following a balanced life of prayer and work. Other communities allow Sisters to live wherever their jobs take them, often living alone or in small groups.
Do your gifts emphasize prayer, community and ministry? If so, visit our Benedictine community! If your gift is to do ministry without such an emphasis on life and prayer in community, an Apostolic community may be your match.
Know yourself, your gifts and how you are called to use them in your life. Try using Stefanie’s prayers as a guide to your reflection.
A key Benedictine value is Community Living. We become who we are through our relationships with others. As Benedictine Sisters, we promise stability, which is crucial to community life. It means “to cultivate rootedness and a shared sense of mission.” Benedict said, “Stand firm in your promises.” He also said, “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else. … Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.”
A key Benedictine value is Awareness of God. We seek God in the ordinary events of everyday life. As St. Benedict says in the Rule, “We believe that the divine presence is everywhere.” This means in our household chores, in our jobs, in conversations with one another.
Deep, attentive listening is key to Benedictine monastic life, and one of our most important values. St. Benedict said, “Listen with the ear of your heart” in his Rule. We seek to attend keenly and sensitively to the voices of all God’s creation.
Jesus set the tone and rhythm for life in the monastery, as we see in the Gospels again and again. First, he would preach to the crowd and then perform a healing. Once the healing was complete, Jesus would go to “a place of quiet to pray.” One recent morning during Eucharist when Fr. Dick read this Gospel from St. Luke, the song “The Beat Goes On” played in my head.
Jesus created a rhythm of work and prayer. Throughout the Gospels, he heals, forgives, works miracles and then retreats to a quiet place to pray. In our Benedicitine lives we embrace Benedict’s teaching about balancing work and prayer. The Rule clearly outlines a structure and rhythm in monastic life. Like Jesus we work and we pray. This daily rhythm sets us apart from apostolic, or active, communities. It is our Benedictine focus and foundation. Like Jesus we need our quiet and like Benedict, we need our communal prayer time.
Our monastic life has a great ‘beat’ and a wonderful rhythm that is essential to Benedictine community. Come see for yourself!
monasterywisdomvocationblog.smmsisters.org 