Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in discernment on Nov 28th, 2008
I find the Advent Liturgical Season the richest and most fundamental for my life. As we listen to Prepare the Way of the Lord and Come Oh Come Immanuel, we join with humanity in waiting for Christ to come. Advent serves as a great tool for discernment. It is the perfect time to take stock [...]
Posted in discernment on Nov 27th, 2008
This week I can suggest several Scripture passages that reflect an important aspect of discernment. While there are many areas to pray and reflect upon when discerning a vocation to religious life, the fundamental and essential area is that of our relationship with God. What type of life leads to God for you? We want [...]
Posted in discernment on Nov 20th, 2008
The last several days the story of Job has been in my prayer and reflection. We meet Job in the Old Testament as he rebounds from losing everything meaningful in his life – his family and possessions. We encounter him in a very vulnerable state. When all is lost he turns to God and, after [...]
Posted in News, prayer, spirituality on Nov 16th, 2008
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB “O God you are eternal life and everlasting peace by your essence,” prayed the seventy-some women and men who participated in the 3rd annual Muslim/Christian Women’s Dialogue, sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Rock Island. The doors opened with flowing crowds coming from their study clubs, their Scripture groups, coming [...]
Posted in discernment on Nov 11th, 2008
Jesus often used images in His teaching to create profound messages. A recent Gospel, for example, used the image of a small mustard seed growing into a sturdy tree. How amazing that from a small kernel grows a large tree! Metaphorically, most of us would have our doubts that something meaningful could come from something [...]
Posted in Birth family on Nov 7th, 2008
Getting up the courage to tell friends and family that you want to become a Sister can be nerve-wracking. How will they react? Our latest newsletter, Steps, explores that question with the parents of one of our newest members. Check it out!