Archive: by Julian Cleary, OSB
Breaking Protocols for Love ...by Sr. Julian
After the conclusion of his Inaugural Mass for the public on May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV broke papal protocol in order to hug his brother Louis. Breaking protocols for love may well be one of the themes for this new pontiff. Pope Leo XIV and brother Louis embrace At this Mass Pope Leo exclaimed: “Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love!” Pope Leo is setting aside some of the ornamentation of the papacy.
Read the full post: Breaking Protocols for Love ...by Sr. Julian
Being Baobab ...by Sr. Julian
The Baobab tree is often referred to as the ‘Tree of Life. ’ This tree has an amazing ability to store rain water. The tree’s tall trunk (some can reach even 100 feet) can hold thousands of gallons of water. Baobabs are able to store 650 litres of water per cubic meter of tree.
Aleluya! ...by Sr. Julian
“Aleluya” is Swahili for Alleluia. Our Tanzanian sisters are each an Aleluya! Our community recently had a reunion with Sisters Beatrice and Redemista of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes, Chipole, Tanzania. This was an Alleluia for us! These two Sisters lived with us and attended school at nearby Saint Martin’s University, early this century. Sister Beatrice graduated and returned to Tanzania to serve in many ministries: teaching, congregation leadership, and formation. She currently serves as Prioress of St.
A Time to Rejoice ..by Sr. Julian
This Sunday, opening the 4th week of Lent, is called Laetare Sunday, or "Rejoice" Sunday. Our church provides us with liturgical opportunities to rejoice even in the midst of Lent. We especially rejoice that our God is a God of mercy and forgiveness. Lent is often a time of fasting and sacrifices.
OPERATION RICE BOWL ...by Sr. Julian
At our recent chapter meeting (where the community comes together to discuss all kinds of issues), the community talked about how we might engage in the season of Lent. Of course, there are always individual and personal decisions about how to live Lent. We also make a daily effort to be mindful of the season of Lent. We try to be a little more quiet and have a little more spaciousness to be with God.
Christmas in the Monastery ...by Sr. Julian
Although the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours are the essence of our Advent and Christmas seasons, we do manage to celebrate in other ways too! After a wonderful Thanksgiving feast prepared by our Chef Nico, we gather in our community room to draw Kris Kringle names. All during Advent, we keep the secret of whose name we have chosen and may offer special prayers and little gifts anonymously for this person.
Read the full post: Christmas in the Monastery ...by Sr. Julian
Advent Statio ...by Sr. Julian
Statio. It’s a different kind of word; almost seems incomplete, like it should be station or stationary or something. Statio is a Latin word (pronounced "staht-see-oh) meaning station or position. One early use was a Roman stopping place where travelers could find shelter and change horses. Over time it has become known as a pause or transition.
Space and Privacy ...by Sr. Julian
When I was growing up, ‘space’ meant outer space: galaxies, planets, even black holes. I became curious about the time when ‘space’ began to mean something personal. Around 1963, cultural anthropologist Edward Hall began identifying various forms of distance (Proxemics: “study of the amount of space that people feel it necessary to set between themselves and others”). Later, Neuropsychology came along and began to investigate ‘space’ in its extrapersonal, peripersonal and percutaneous forms.
Mother Ocean
Our ocean mother covers almost 75% of our earth with her mantle of water! From these massive and majestic ocean bodies we receive so many gifts: marine life, the enjoyment of beauty beyond measure, oxygen from photosynthesis (the breath of life), nutrients, weather and climate influences, a source of transportation, a source of food, a source of swimming and recreational activities--and the list goes on and on! Our oceans bring us joy too! Recently I had the opportunity to enjoy the…
Aging with Agility ...by Sr. Julian
Image: Freepik. comWhen I think of the word ‘agility,’ I think about moving easily and quickly or being flexible in your body. I see older folks around me that seem to have this agility ability. As I near the end of my sexagenarian years, I feel less spry. Does this mean I lack any agility at all? No! Perhaps I am just less nimble or dexterous. The other day I was sewing a button onto a blouse.
Navigation
Archives
Recent posts
- Celebrating Vietnamese Tết Festival... by Hieu Pham Dang
- Variety: the Spice of Community Life ...by Sr. Paz
- Welcoming and Being Welcomed ...by Sr. Dorothy
- Discovering Benedictine Life... by Sr. Paz
- Breaking Protocols for Love ...by Sr. Julian
By author
- Raphaela Cady, OSB
- Julian Cleary, OSB
- Monika Ellis, OSB
- Angela Hoffman, OSB
- Hieu Pham Dang
- Dorothy Robinson, OSB
- Laura Swan, OSB
- Paz Vital, OSB
- Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB
By month
- February 2026
- October 2025
- September 2025
- July 2025
- June 2025
- May 2025
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023