Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Christmas on Dec 26th, 2011
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB We cannot remain at the adorable, even poetic scene of the Bethlehem crib too long. Our Christmas prayers and spirituality must move beyond to an awareness that the infant grew and became our Savior.
Posted in Christmas on Dec 23rd, 2011
By Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB Most of us are captivated by the Christmas story. A feeling of wonder and calm fills the air as we listen to the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke’s gospel. We picture a quiet, serene night with Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus, angels and shepherds.
Posted in Advent on Dec 19th, 2011
By Sister Catherine Cleary In Luke’s gospel this week, I had a new understanding of the Holy Spirit’s words to Mary (and to all of us). “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Lk 1: 35) Like Mary, we have all been through “annunciations.” Some [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 15th, 2011
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB When the Messiah comes, will he find us ready? By ready I mean, will he find that we have made room in our hearts for those who have wounded us? Will he find light in our spirits for those who have ignored us?
Posted in Advent on Dec 9th, 2011
By Sister Catherine Cleary OSB The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because “Rejoice” (Latin word is gaudate) is the theme for the day: Rejoice always. It’s the Sunday we light the pink candle. In a sarcastic mood we might ask, “What is there to rejoice over?” The economy is tough, the unemployed [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 6th, 2011
By Sister Catherine Cleary Recently, We prayed a marvelous passage from Isaiah, one that has been memorized by the four Evangelists and used by Handel in his Messiah: “Prepare you the way, let the mountains be brought low, the crooked ways straight, the rough ways made plain. Make straight a highway for our GOD!”