Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Advent on Dec 22nd, 2012
By Prioress Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB “Mary set out, traveled to the hill country … entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” So begins Sunday’s Gospel, the beautifully intimate encounter of these two women both holding within themselves fulfillment of longing and promise of blessing. The fulfillment? For Elizabeth, an old barren woman, is [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 20th, 2012
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB Reading through the first reading (Hebrews 10: 5-10) and Gospel (Lk 1:39-45) for the 4th Sunday of Advent brings to mind the contrast of the peaceful past of this area with today’s violence and upheaval. Micah’s prophesying, “His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 17th, 2012
By Prioress Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB We live in a world of contrasts!…This is so apparent today. On one hand, our country grieves over the horrific loss of life in the mass shooting in Connecticut on Friday; On the other, the 3rd Sunday’s Scriptures call us to “shout for joy….sing joyfully…be glad and exult with [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 16th, 2012
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB While we were still using Latin, the third Sunday of Advent was called, Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. The name derived from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord, always, I shall say it again: rejoice!” And we are told why we should rejoice: “The Lord is near.” The Gospel presents [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 7th, 2012
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB The Scriptures for Advent always call us back to reflect on our preparing for a deeper awareness of Christ in our hearts, of a greater transformation; a becoming Christ for others. In the second reading for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Paul says to the Philippians, “And this is my [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 3rd, 2012
By Prioress Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB If you are aware of world news today you may have heard that the people of Mexico are celebrating today. They are inaugurating a new president for their country and there is much hope that Pena Nieto will be able to help move the country away from the crime [...]