This week I am in Beech Grove, Indiana at Our Lady of Grace Monastery and Retreat Center, attending the American Benedictine Formation Conference Symposium. There are Vocation and Formation SIsters from all across the country. Our theme “Telling the Stories, Embracing the Challenge’ is very fine. Continue Reading
A young woman visited the Monastery over the weekend. She is a college junior and keeps returning to the idea of religious life. ‘S’ contacted us after looking at our website. In fact, we were the 4th religious community she has visited. She has been looking for a balanced community. Continue Reading
Honour the wisdom of dormancy. Know that when you aren’t doing something that is productive, you are giving your soul the time and space it needs to quietly take in the nutrients it requires to remain productive. Buy a rocking chair and sit in it regularly, not thinking, not praying, not talking to a friend, just sitting, your soul a fallow field that is quietly waiting. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
This week my soul has been caught up in the whirlwind of “busyness,” with no time for the kind of quiet that is needed to seek God. Can you relate? Events have been out of my control. Projects have been piling up, while my calendar fills to overflowing. Even as a Monastic woman committed to a balanced life of prayer, community and ministry, I can find myself in a whirl with my priorities mixed up. Continue Reading
I loved the closing talk at the Vocation Conference. It was about joy, laughter and humor: a somewhat odd but wholly welcome concept when talking about the serious task of discernment and vocation ministry.
I loved the talk because it validated my serious belief that we have to be light-hearted. I was seriously ill about 3 years ago and ever since my recovery I insist on humor and fun – as much as possible! – every day. (That’s me on the left, beating Sr. Claudia in a little one-on-one!) Life is way too short to be entirely serious. Read Ecclesiastes and remember life is a cycle with time for all emotions.
Discernment is a time for all emotions, too. Continue Reading
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.
“To be a real contemplative we must every day take others into the narrow confines of our lives – and listen to their call to us to be about something greater than ourselves.” – Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB
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.
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