Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Lent on Mar 30th, 2011
As Lent began I shared my reflection on a ‘Character of the Crucifixation’, Peter. This past week I read two more reflections from the book about Judas and the High Priests. Judas’ story reflects some of the spiritual struggle of following Jesus, just as Peter’s life depicted. However, Judas and the High Priest figures also [...]
Posted in Lent on Mar 27th, 2011
By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB “A woman of Samaria came to draw water: Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” John 4: 50-42 Water is the focus of today’s readings (reminding us of the baptismal character of Lent and of the many catechumens preparing for baptism on the Vigil of Easter.) It appears that [...]
Posted in Annunciation on Mar 25th, 2011
Feast of the Annunciation Song of Songs 2: 8-14 NOTICE: There are 275 shopping days until Christmas! Yes, nine months from today’s feast of the Annunciation, we will again rejoice in the birth of our Savior. So how do we celebrate this feast in the midst of Lent? With rejoicing and wonder at the gift [...]
Posted in Benedictine practices on Mar 21st, 2011
Today as we celebrate the Feast of St. Benedict and remember his death, I had to return to my Rome experience of last May and June. That 6 weeks in Rome and traveling to all of St. Benedict’s sites makes everything come alive for me today. The reading at the Vigil was of Benedict’s death [...]
Posted in Lent on Mar 21st, 2011
By Sr. Phyllis McMurray, OSB A story is told in the Life of Benedict attributed to Gregory the Great about Benedict’s own spiritual transformation. It is said that Benedict, close to the time of his death, went to a tower cell late at night to pray, when the rest of his community was thought to [...]
Posted in Lent on Mar 21st, 2011
2nd Sunday of Lent – Matthew 7:1-9 – The Transfiguration of Jesus By Sr. Ruth Ksycki In a commentary on this gospel, Barbara Reid, a professor at Catholic Theological Union, writes: “On the mountaintop Jesus is able to see with God’s own vision the way forward in faithfulness.” In speaking of Dr. Martin Luther King [...]