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.
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
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.
Retreat Time ...by Sr. Dorothy
Each year, usually in June, our community takes a retreat together. We don’t go anywhere—we just stay here at the monastery. But retreat time is different from ordinary time. This year we are having eight days of silence, which most of us look forward to. We eat in silence and spend our days, each of us, alone in silence.
What Do You Do...?
“What do you do in the monastery?” This is a question we hear fairly often. And one answer might be the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words. ” The act of living in community can be a powerful illustration of people from different backgrounds living in peace together.
