Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in discernment on Aug 23rd, 2010
As the week cam to an end for the two women visiting the Monastery, it seemed to have been very good. We had a session on Friday about the vows and how they form our life of stability, obedience and conversion of life. On Thursday, we had a session on the life of St. Benedict using [...]
Posted in Benedictine practices, discernment on Aug 19th, 2010
This week there are two inquirers at the Monastery experiencing life in community. Both women have been here for shorter periods of time before, but a week gives them an opportunity to really experience the daily rhythm of our lives. One woman is from Wisconsin and finishing her senior year of college. The second woman [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, discernment, monastic life on Jul 23rd, 2010
I apologize for being quiet this past week. It seems I am still getting acclimated to being home! Also, I’ve been reflecting on monastic life, with the professions of our Sisters Claudia and Stefanie (that’s Stefanie, after making her First Monastic Profession, above). Both women remind us that there are women wanting a commitment to [...]
Posted in discernment on Jul 30th, 2009
The week began with the bread of life story from Scripture at Sunday Eucharist. It is the one where the apostles tell Jesus they have only a few loaves and fishes to feed such a large crowd gathered to hear Jesus. In His usual calm way, Jesus simply tells the apostles to feed them. Amazingly, [...]
Posted in discernment on Jul 11th, 2009
It was a great 10 days with E at the Monastery. She left this morning on the early flight and was sad to go, I think. The Sisters so enjoyed her personality, enthusiasm and sharing of her life experiences. Indeed, E and I had many insightful conversations about Benedictine life as well as life in [...]
Posted in Benedictine practices, community life, discernment on Jul 5th, 2009
The time is sure going quickly. ‘E’ has been here since Monday and the week has been packed. Two afternoons she went with Sr. Mary S. and helped her prepared for next week’s summer bible school at Sacred Heart Church in Davenport. I think they finished repairing the camel and painting the walls of Jerusalem. [...]