By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
The annual Monastic Institute at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn., provides a wonderful opportunity to study and reflect deeply on Benedictine spirituality for a few days every summer. Several of us usually go. I did last summer, and I’m still thinking about it. Continue Reading
How Christianity Spread by Sister Mary Core, OSB
For the next several weeks, I’ll be leading a discussion group on the Acts of the Apostles at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Coal Valley, Ill.
It seems easy enough to recap what we discuss here for you, too. Hope you enjoy it. Chime in if you wish!!! Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Brian Doyle calls humility “the final frontier” in a recent edition of Give Us This Day. Of course, I thought of Star Trek!
Other people might have had bleaker thoughts. Humility isn’t much revered by our culture. But it may be the final frontier! Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
“If we take it for granted that storms will come and that at various junctures in our lives we will experience real hardship, then we can prepare ourselves to endure what comes and be ready to bounce back at the first opportunity … Storms do not last forever and even in the worst storms there are interludes of respite that enable us to catch our breath and continue the struggle.” Michael Casey, The Road to Eternal Life Continue Reading
You may recognize Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB (far right) from past stories and photos. She entered in 2007 and has kept a blog for the past few years about her adorable preschoolers.
Beginning this August, she has agreed to take over vocation ministry, so she will be your Benedictine guide.
You’ll love her openness, humor, gentleness and willingness to be there for you. Here’s your first chance to get to know her a bit! Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
I have looked away, and kept silence, I have said nothing, holding myself in … (Isaiah 42:14)
We prayed this verse at Lauds recently, and it’s been on my mind ever since.
It’s funny at how you can say a phrase in prayer over and over for 7 years without thinking twice about it … until one day it stands out.
Definitely a God moment. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
As Benedictine Sisters, we come together 3 times a day (4 on Sunday) to pray in chapel. This wonderful rhythm of prayer dates back to St. Benedict’s time. Called Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office, or Opus Dei, we pray the psalms and other Scriptures morning, noon and evening. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
He was sent not to die but to share the life and love that is the very essence of the Holy One-in-Three. – Sister Barbara Reid, OP
I read this recently, and it has stuck with me for a couple of reasons.
First, Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB invited us to consider something similar during our summer retreat. He said we can over-focus on the cross and the suffering and pain Jesus went through. That yes, Jesus’ pain is part of the story, but only part. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
At one of the conferences I went to this summer, I experienced a particularly graced prayer time. It happened nearly spontaneously, when the Benedictines – there were 4 of us from around the country – came together at the end of a busy day of meetings to pray Vespers.
Believe it or not, we prayed from our iPads! Continue Reading
By Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
“Prayer … is a practice of attention, of attentiveness, an attitude of receptiveness to God’s sustaining presences.” Martin Poulsom, SDB
Reading a paper by Poulsom yesterday made me ask myself how I am coming to prayer. Am I paying attention? Am I coming to pray with an open heart, mind and soul?
I admit sometimes I’m off track. My own worries and distractions can undermine my attentiveness and receptiveness. Continue Reading
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