Archive: by Monika Ellis, OSB
Still Being Amazed ...by Sr. Monika
At age seventy, you might think I've seen all there is to see on our monastic grounds. I know the trees and shrubs and most of the wildflowers. I know about birds, especially the ones who visit our grounds. So, can you imagine my surprise at finding a fallen, old branch covered in what looked like bright white feathers? "Who threw their duster into the rocks in front of our Spirituality Center?" I said to myself.
Helping Each Other ...by Sr. Monika
We have all heard about Alcoholics Anonymous, which began in 1935, and has helped countless people overcome addiction to alcohol. There are many spin-offs of that model, including Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Emotions Anonymous, (EA) among many others. I was introduced to Emotions Anonymous during my time in treatment for depression. It is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model of support from people who have similar struggles in life.
Dedication to the Work of God ...by Sr. Monika
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Prayer is the mortar that holds our house together. ” Walter Burghardt said, quoting someone else, “Contemplation is a long, loving look at the real. ” St. Paul said, “Pray always. ” Teresa of Avila suggested that missing prayer is a mortal sin! And St. Benedict, a model of moderation, said, “Prefer nothing to the Opus Dei (e. i. the Work of God, referring to the Divine Office.
Read the full post: Dedication to the Work of God ...by Sr. Monika
Putting It All Together ...by Sr. Monika
Life is just not easy. Life is life--with its challenges, problems, peaks of enjoyment, and depths of despair--no matter what lifestyle you choose or where you live. I happen to live in a monastery, and I know this lifestyle is no refuge from the “cares of the world. ” So when I need a refuge, I turn to a jigsaw puzzle and let the puzzle process teach me its wisdom.
Read the full post: Putting It All Together ...by Sr. Monika
Benedictine Liturgy ...by Sr. Monika
A Benedictine's life centers on living out the Gospel within community, prayer both communal and personal, and service to the neighbor. The particular prayer we pray together is the Liturgy of the Hours, a celebration of the annual and weekly cycles of the church year, with their seasons and feasts. The Liturgical Year At St. Placid we have a rotation of sisters who plan weekly liturgies for Mass.
Golden Jubilee Joy ...by Sr. Monika
There are no words that have not already been said about celebrating a golden jubilee. “How time flies!” “I can’t believe it’s been 50 years. . . ” “Where in the world does time go?” I just celebrated my Golden Jubilee as a Benedictine sister here at St. Placid Priory. I came right after high school graduation in 1971 and made first vows in 1974. My dad was 46 then. He’s 96 now.
Doings ...by Sr. Monika
What do I do all day? Part of my time is spent on practicing strokes and drawing images based on the Zentangle method. I am teaching a series of 9 classes, Tuesdays at 1:00 through August. Students have given me some lovely responses to these classes.
Awareness ...by Sr. Monika
I was born into this world both as the person God created and to become the person God intends me to be. The process of becoming is dynamic and ongoing throughout a lifetime. I am a person with a particular set of genes and characteristics inherited from my parents.
Fallow Time ....by Sr. Monika
The psalmist wrote, “. . . the hills are arrayed with flocks; the fields are blanketed with grain. ” I enjoy these images. Blankets of grain. It isn’t hard to imagine such a glorious scene. The earth in our part of the world is bursting with new life right now–hyacinths, violets, fruit trees, big leaf maples.
What I notice ....by Sr. Monika
When I finish a piece of art, I'm not really finished with it. I like to look at it now and then and see if I notice more in it than I originally thought or intended. Often, I find more than I expected. In this example called Hearts A-Blossoming, I see motion--lines swirling around the heart of things. Hearts blossoming, flowing out from the center. God's heart, my heart, the hearts of everyone.
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