Benedictine Wisdom

July 6, 2016

Wisdom Story #7: Open to God in Silence

centering

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 7th story in our Wisdom Series.

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

(Centering Prayer) is a way of tuning in to a fuller level of realty that is always present and in which we are invited to participate. The fundamental disposition in Centering Prayer is opening to God. – Thomas Keating

One of the wisest decisions I ever made was to commit myself to daily Centering Prayer. Continue Reading

June 29, 2016

Wisdom Story #6: Listening for Wisdom

sitting-in-hermitage

A retreatant reads on the Benet House hermitage patio at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois.

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 6th story in our Wisdom Series.

Making decisions about major life changes can be tough. What’s best? How can we recognize the wisest path?

“Well, if you are asking the question you are a seeker, so you already have some wisdom,” Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB muses. Continue Reading

June 20, 2016

Wisdom Story #5: Claim Your Miracles

mary-jean,-margaret-and-rita-on-mj-birthday

Sisters Mary Jean Feeney, Margaret Murphy and Rita Cain enjoy coffee in the monastery dining room.

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 5th story in our Wisdom Series.

On her first visit home after joining the community, Sister Rita Cain, OSB remembers being full of religious fervor.

She had brought a Benedictine medal to pin to the sleeper of her sister’s new baby. He had been quite ill and Sr. Rita wanted to help him get better. Continue Reading

May 30, 2016

Wisdom Story #3: Forgive Yourself

mary-jane-and-child-and-mom

Sister Mary Jane Wallace hosts a reception for her piano students following their 2016 recital.

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 3rd story in our Wisdom Series.

Sister Mary Jane Wallace is in-between piano lessons.

She’s been thinking a lot lately about what we expect from kids in the classroom and at the keyboard.

She’s decided we need to spend more time praising and less time criticizing. Continue Reading

May 20, 2016

Wisdom Story #1: Honoring the Last Wish of a Young Boy

david's-picture-apple-tree

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 1st story in our Wisdom Series.

Sister Catherine Maloney says she gained more wisdom from a 7-year-old boy than she did from anyone else during her service as a hospital chaplain. She met David as he was losing his battle with cancer.

“David had the heart of all children,” Sr. Catherine says. Continue Reading

May 20, 2016

Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders

mary-in-garden

Webster’s defines wisdom as “discernment and judgment; discretion; sagacity.”

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her thoughts, though, and she’ll tell you it’s not about a definition. Instead, she says wisdom is about how we listen, learn and give our gifts away.

Monastic Benedictine women should know. They steep themselves in scriptural wisdom, contemplative wisdom and the wisdom of their founder, St. Benedict.

By the time Sisters retire from active ministry, they have accumulated the wisdom of the ages. Here, then, are the wisdom stories, reflections and observations from some of our elders.

Come back every week for a new post!

Wisdom Story #7: Open to God in Silence

Wisdom Story #6: Listen for Wisdom

Wisdom Story #5: Claim Your Miracles

Wisdom Story #4: Listen to Your Elders

Wisdom Story #3: Forgive Yourself

Wisdom Story #2: The Gift of Change

Wisdom Story #1: Honoring the Last Wish of a Young Boy