By Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB
Recently I celebrated the Silver Jubilee of my monastic profession – an occasion to reflect about time.
25 years – where have they gone? How did I get through them – the good, the bad and the indifferent?
How do we get through the rough places in our lives? Continue Reading
Sister Stefanie MacDonald signs her monastic promises during a simple but beautiful ceremony in our chapel during her first monastic profession.
One of the differences between apostolic communities (like the Franciscans and Dominicans) and Benedictine monastic communities is our vows. In fact, we don’t actually make “vows.” We make promises. It’s more than a word difference!
Our promises underscore our commitment to each other, as Sisters of St. Benedict. They underscore our commitment to seeking God together. They underscore our commitment to be faithful for life. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
When I was visiting my aunt in Naperville, Ill., she asked me how the Benedictine Sisters recruit. Was it like the military?
I was happy to say no. We don’t stay at the door until someone signs. We don’t give the hard sell with out telling the truth that there will be difficult times. We don’t offer uniforms. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Wow! My Final Profession was wonderful and beautiful. I think I am still trying to decide if it was all real!
For the past 2 weeks, Sister Stefanie has been posting reflections about the Benedictine values, as well as her adventure with other Sisters in Beech Grove, Ind. Don’t miss them … they are a wonderful window into Benedictine monastic life. 🙂
Jackie Walsh, recently of Bloomington, Ill., became Sister Jackie at the age of 53 on June 11. She had worked, lived and studied at St. Mary Monastery for three years before receiving her Benedictine pin (given by Prioress Sr. Phyllis McMurray, right). It had been a leap of faith and a labor of love. Continue Reading
Sister Jackie’s Monastic Profession Here’s our home movie of Sister Jackie’s First Monastic Profession. What a blessing it is to welcome her fully into the community. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the chapel!!
In her 40’s, Jackie Walsh (far right) was happy. She had a great job as a business systems analyst, a comfortable home in Bloomington, Ill., and a new Ford Focus. She had lots of friends. And she belonged to an active and wonderful parish.
So why did she chuck it all to jump half-blind into the counter-cultural, misunderstood and little-known world of a Benedictine monastery? Because God called. Continue Reading
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