Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Benedictine values, monastic life on May 31st, 2010
Dispatch #6 from Sr. Bobbi Besides tramping through the historical sites and ruins, the 29 Benedictine Sisters participating in the Benedictine Rome Renewal Program are enjoying lively conferences. We began with a conference on Monastic Instincts. Sr. Karen Joseph, OSB, spoke of instincts like listening, humility, helpfulness, holding ones tongue, bearing with, reverence, and consistency.
Posted in Benedictine values, Benedictine vows, News on May 4th, 2009
Yesterday was a special day at the Monastery. Sr. Estelle turned 102 years old! She is still pretty sharp and fun loving. In fact, two of our nursing staff are taking Sister on a boat cruise on the Mississippi today. What a hoot..she has never done that!
Posted in Benedictine practices, Benedictine values on Apr 21st, 2009
In Christianity’s earliest community, if someone received money from their work or selling something they owned, then the money went into the community collection to be used for the needs of the whole. Special care was given to the widowed and orphans because they had no means to get money. Likewise, the community cared for [...]
Posted in Benedictine practices, Benedictine values, discernment on Mar 3rd, 2009
This weekend we had a 42-year-old woman visit the monastery as part of her discernment. ‘V’ perfectly fits the profile that our community considers a solid vocation possibility. In addition, she fits the profile of the culture for women her age. For instance, V is very pleased with and fulfilled in her professional life.
Posted in Benedictine values on Oct 23rd, 2008
Another key Benedictine value – and charism – is hospitality. (A charism is a gift from God to be shared with the world). We seek to offer warmth, tolerance and joy when welcoming others. We seek to welcome others as they are. We believe, as St. Benedict says, that All guests … are to be [...]
Posted in Benedictine values, discernment prayer, monastic life on Oct 1st, 2008
Stefanie posted two great prayers this week regarding discernment (in “A Time to Plant,” below). What struck me was each prayer referred to knowing your gifts and how best to use them in service of God and God’s People. That is the crux of discernment! Here’s what I mean: While our Benedictine community has the [...]