Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Benedictine practices, discernment, monastic life on Mar 30th, 2009
A young woman visited the Monastery over the weekend. She is a college junior and keeps returning to the idea of religious life. ‘S’ contacted us after looking at our website. In fact, we were the 4th religious community she has visited. She has been looking for a balanced community.
Posted in Uncategorized on Mar 26th, 2009
It has been nearly 11 years since I hung out with teenage girls and, probably, 15 years since I have been around teenage boys and girls together. This past weekend the Monastery hosted 14 students from St. Bede Academy, Peru, Illinois. Anyone over 40 can appreciate how I am still recovering!
Posted in discernment on Mar 16th, 2009
As we continue our Lenten experience, the Scripture readings at Eucharist prepare us for the coming Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Jesus talks to the disciples about what will happen to Him. He wants them to ponder all He has taught them over the years together so they have a basis for teaching others [...]
Posted in Benedictine Prayer, Benedictine practices, prayer, spirituality on Mar 12th, 2009
When a desert abba once said, “Watching means to sit in your cell and be always mindful of God,” he could have been talking about Centering Prayer. An ancient practice that may lead to contemplation, Centering Prayer helps practitioners, through silence, learn to rest in God – and know God. It is stunningly simple. Learn [...]
Posted in discernment, discernment prayer on Mar 6th, 2009
My 84-year-old friend, Sister Rosemary Murphy, told me today that she had read my recent blogs and enjoyed them. So I asked her what I should write today to the women discerning their vocation. Her answer came out of today’s Gospel, when Jesus instructed his disciples how to pray. He said, Ask my Father 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.