Recently we celebrated the Feast of St. Clare. She’s important to me … even though she is a Franciscan – not a Benedictine – saint. My love for her has something to do with my own journey and I will get back to that later.
St. Clare was born in Assisi, and when she was 18 years old she heard St. Francis preach. That night, she ran away to join St. Francis even though her father wanted her to marry. Continue Reading
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. Read more!
Even today, a generation after the (Second Vatican) Council’s affirmation of the universal call to holiness, there is still evidence that some young people do not consider joining the priesthood or religious life because they do not feel that they are “holy enough.” – Sr. Patricia Wittberg, S.C., Pathways to Re-creating Religious Communities
I can tell you that this was a fear of mine when I first started to look at religious life. How could I possibly be holy enough? Continue Reading
Hi everyone! I’m back from BSWR and on to a family get-away with my parents and sister, MacKenzie. Here’s a pic of us clowning at the Milwaukee County Zoo! MacKenzie will come back to the monastery with me for a few days next week, and we are both looking forward to it. She loves the Sisters and they love her. She’ll be very busy! Continue Reading
Think it sounds romantic to gather in the chapel at 6:30 every morning to pray? Let me tell you, some days 6:30 comes way too early. But this, my friends, is one of the realities of life in community: you will be at prayers every morning, or you will be missed.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. Continue Reading
“I discovered, you see, that real Benedictinism requires us to pour ourselves out for the other, to give ourselves away, to provide the staples of life, both material and spiritual, for another. The question is not whether what we have is sufficient for the situation or not. The question is simply whether or not we have anything to give. That’s what hospitality is all about. Not abundance and not totality. Just sharing. Real sharing.” – Joan Chittister, Wisdom Distilled From the Daily Continue Reading
This may sound weird, but one of the biggest adjustments I had to make when I became a Benedictine Sister was to learn to be quiet. Now, don’t get me wrong. I was never loud and boisterous (well, not really). In fact, I was drawn to peaceful venues in nature and church. But for me, white noise was the TV and radio. Continue Reading
Many religious orders take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but Benedictine Sisters do not. When we become Sisters, we make monastic profession of 3 promises: obedience, stability and fidelity to the monastic way of life. It is within the promise of stability that we commit ourselves to chastity and monastic poverty, or simplicity. Continue Reading
I look more like I'm grimacing than smiling, but, hey. The sun was in my eyes!! Seriously, though, this town is beautiful.
Yesterday we loaded up and went into town – Indianapolis – for some sightseeing and recreation. We had a blast!!
Continue Reading
Sisters Jackie and Sheila pray Lauds with the Benedictine Sisters.
Everyone talks about needing balance. Whether it’s work-life balance or emotional balance, people long for it. I know. I was one of those people. Continue Reading
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