Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Advent on Nov 25th, 2011
By Sister Phyllis McMurray, Prioress In the liturgy for the First Sunday of Advent, we are called to “Be watchful! Be alert!” Reflections on Advent remind us: Stay awake! Be aware! Pay attention! As we enter Advent, we are called to be mindful of God entering our lives as Emmanuel, the One sent to be [...]
As Advent nears completion and Christmas is upon us let’s take a moment to reflect on what it all means. For me, Advent is the most special time of year. Filled with hope, anticipation, the first snows, Vespers in the early darkness and wonderful readings from Isaiah all capture the time before the arrival of [...]
Posted in Advent on Dec 13th, 2010
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB Rejoicing is the theme of the third Sunday of Advent. The reading from Isaiah 35:1-6a,10 gives us the desert blooming with profusion. Why? Because we will see the glory and splendor of God. Because God will come to save us. What a message of hope and joy!
Posted in Advent on Dec 10th, 2010
lst Reading: Is 35: 1-6, 10; 2nd Reading: Jas 5:7-10; Gospel Mt 11:2-11. On the 3rd Sunday in Advent – Gaudeamus Sunday – we celebrate as if like small children who cannot wait for Christmas. We light the pink candle of the Advent wreath, we swap penitent purple vestments for rose. Isaiah tells us to [...]
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB As I heard some Hanukkah music played on public radio, I decided to look up information about the feast. The word hanuk originally meant inauguration or dedication of the first use of any object. In Deuteronomy 20:5 it refers to a housewarming after the building of a new private home.
Posted in Advent on Nov 29th, 2010
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki Have you ever been to a conference or sat in class after lunch and struggled to stay awake? Or, maybe it was mid-afternoon when drowsiness descended. No matter how hard you tried, your eyes closed, and you nodded off.