Wisdom Story#4: Listen to Your Elders

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Sister Marilyn Ring enjoys spending time with her young pen pal.

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 4th story in our Wisdom Series.

Sister Marilyn Ring credits her elders with teaching her hospitality, compassion, a spirituality of life and love.

“The elders taught me that it wasn’t all about me. For example, the work wasn’t done until everyone was finished. If there were dishes to be washed, they were our responsibility. I learned to focus on the ‘we,’ not the ‘me.’” Continue Reading

Peace and Joy in Community

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Living in community is the best counterweight against individualism in our society today.

And individualism – the Me-First attitude – exacts a high toll on those who pursue it relentlessly. Continue Reading

Work: Making Something Beautiful for God

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Monks “live by the labor of their hands” (RB 72).

In many ways, everyone does.

Whether you plow a farm field or fold towels at home, work contributes to your well being as well as the well being of your community. Continue Reading

The Grace and Mercy of Reconciliation

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Mary Core, OSB

Yesterday afternoon, we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we do during our annual retreat.

Of course, I – like many Catholics – still tend to think of Reconciliation more as “confession.” Continue Reading

Hospitality: A Sacramental Grace

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Monasteries are known for their hospitality … but the word “hospitality” doesn’t adequately describe what it means. Continue Reading

Celibacy: Our Radical Choice

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

The most counter-cultural thing we do – according to many in the wider community – is practice celibacy. It’s always been a part of monastic life. It speaks to our need for solitude as we seek God. Continue Reading

Need the Latest iPhone? Maybe Not.

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

The vow of monastic poverty calls us to simplicity of life through a lack of personal possessions. Continue Reading

The Ultimate Reality Check

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

The key to understanding Benedict is understanding the virtue of humility, the third leg of the triad that also includes obedience and silence. Continue Reading

Why Practice Obedience, Silence, Humility?

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Our annual summer silent retreat is underway, and we are going to share it with you.

You can make this retreat at home, if you wish, by reading each reflection and taking time to reflect, journal, sit in silence or walk quietly through a beautiful place.

By Sisters Mary Core and Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

The triad of Benedictine virtues includes obedience, silence and humility. Let’s start with obedience.

Benedict writes: Continue Reading