With Hands and Feet on the Ground ...by Sr. Paz
I had just arrived at St. Placid when I was assigned the task of growing flowers. I didn’t have any idea of how to do it. Things went well and we had plenty of zinnias in the garden and for the chapel that year. But not a single cosmos. I don’t know why. I did exactly the same with both packages of seeds. Anyway, I was told I have a green thumb. I almost believe it.
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Hospitality Down Under --by Sr. Laura
This is a "shout out" to the Good Sams (Benedictine) of Australia and their employees for their gracious hospitality. Monica guided me through the whole process of visas and airline tickets and coordinating events. She journeyed with me (and the sisters on retreat) through all sorts of "left turns and right turns" of my time there.
Where is home?
Last August, I visited my family in Mexico City. I felt at home sleeping in my former bedroom with pink bedspread and pillows. I think my body remembered that bed because I slept so good there. This year I went to celebrate my mom’s birthday.
Chipping Our Way to Stewardship
Greetings from the wild kingdom! Throughout these summer months we have been working on regaining a seasonal monastic pattern of the maintenance of our grounds. Through trimming, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, watering, raking and planning for what comes next, we have held stewardship of monastery possessions, property and grounds as a profound value that is alive throughout the Rule of Benedict. St.
Tradition
There is nothing like being with a community other than our own to notice the ways they do ritual. I think of our late Sister Stephanie as the incense comes out here and permeates the chapel. Statio is important, an opportunity to stop and catch one's breath before entering the chapel. I'm content to slip into my stall beforehand and spend moments in silence. The nuns reverence one another in bowing toward each other as we depart.
The Swan Has Landed
GUEST POST BY SISTER LAURA SWAN I find myself heading “Down Under” to be with two Benedictine women’s communities, to lead retreats for them. They insisted on sending me in Business class (my first time ever), which was quite the experience.
Trust in God + Do All Things with Counsel
This week’s Mass readings have had a large portion of “Trust in God,” and how, when we don’t trust in God’s help, God’s mercy, God’s love and constant support, we can get into trouble. For me, that trouble usually comes when I try to depend only on my own judgement--and at the same time, fail to consult God in Scripture, in prayer and in the Holy Rule of St. Benedict.
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I Take Refuge in God My Love | Me Refugio en Dios, mi Amado
"Sustain me O God as you have promised that I may live, And disappoint me not in my Hope!" For almost ten years these verses have been my refuge, my mantra in difficult times. I know God is always with me. I know it is me who forgets it, and acts as if my life is in my hands or as if I am alone. These words remind me to take refuge in God alone.
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Benedictine Women: Under 55
This picture of Sisters Raphaela and Paz represents the most serious photo that was taken of us at Norfolk. Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This past weekend, Sr. Paz and I attended the annual gathering of Under 55 Benedictine Women in Norfolk, Nebraska. The Missionary Benedictines of Norfolk hosted our meeting. More than fifty women, from eighteen different communities across the U. S.
Appreciation
Last week Sister Dorothy wrote about care of the sick from the point of view of the caregiver. She quoted The Holy Rule of St. Benedict which places the greatest importance on caring for those who are sick. On a Tuesday in June I began to feel unwell. The healthcare team advised me to move to the infirmary. I watched as my sisters got the bed made and the room ready for me.
