By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
While Sunday’s gospel (John 20: 19-29) is often known as the “Doubting Thomas” gospel, John, it seems to me, places emphasis on the words, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. … He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit.” Continue Reading
From the beginning of recorded time, living as a religious Sister has been countercultural. We give up our possessions … our bank accounts … our cars. We take on a new set of priorities. We take on a new set of responsibilities.
In other words, it’s no longer about “me.” It’s about “we.”
What might make someone take such a radical, countercultural step? It’s sure not the salary. (There is none.) It’s not the easy lifestyle. (We begin our days before dawn in chapel for Lauds.) It’s not the nightlife. (Unless that’s what you call a rousing game of cards on Community Night!) Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
True vocation joins self and service, as Frederick Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as, “The place where your deep gladness meets the world’s needs.” Continue Reading
Waves
What strange moving splendor,
That comes without our call,
That plays a rushing symphony
With long white fingers on the sandy shore;
That comes and comes, always coming
And always more. Continue Reading
By Prioress Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB
This week we celebrated the feast of St. Benedict. Also this month we celebrated the feast of St. Joseph, and on March 25th we will celebrate the feast of the Annunciation. There is a common thread that runs through their stories that is also a part of our story. What do Mary, Joseph and Benedict have in common with us? Continue Reading
It was halfway through the summer of 1948. Marilyn Ring had graduated from high school and now was watching as her friends prepared to leave for secretarial school, marriage and the convent. Despite an active faith life that had included daily Mass and a fabulous Catholic youth group experience at Peoria’s Academy of Our Lady, nothing called to her.
Continue Reading
By Sister Ruth Ksycki, OSB
All lives have low points, even in the convent. I had a major low point about 10 years into my life as a Sister. I was cleaning the convent steps and thought, “What am I doing here?” Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Left to my own devices I would never have entered religious life. I thought it was dull, stilted, without fun, zest, relationships or community. I was interested in my friends, stylish clothes, a social life, my education. So how did it come about? Continue Reading
By Sister Charlotte Sonneville, OSB
Is religious life relevant today? I believe it is … and many are searching for such meaning in their lives. Are you? Do you share these 3 values?
1. Living in prayer-filled community, in love, respect, and anticipation of each others’ needs. Continue Reading
Sister Charlotte Sonneville, OSB, reflects on her younger life as a single woman, and later as a Benedictine Sister in this article. We hope it inspires you!
As a child, I attended the Benedictine Sisters’ St. Mary’s School in Moline. I loved to stay after school and help clean the blackboards, sort papers, or run errands. I liked being with the Sisters and was curious to learn what they were really like. Was it the habit that made them seem different? Or was it something deep inside that you had to get to know? Continue Reading
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