Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog with inquirers discerning their religious calling to monastic life.
Posted in Lent on Apr 14th, 2011
This morning as I looked out my window it occured to me that the view was like a mirror of my Lent. At the beginning of Lent the trees, lake, and all were in darkness. With no view of life it all seemed barren. I felt this barrenness and realized that Jesus spent 40 days [...]
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 19th, 2011
Second Sunday of Lent: Gospel of Matthew 17: 1-9 By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB Matthew’s gospels for the first two Sundays in Lent clearly show readers that Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecies of Israel. Last week, Jesus’ fasting in the desert reminded us of Moses’ sojourn in the desert. Today’s gospel highlights Jesus [...]
Posted in Lent on Mar 17th, 2011
Every year Lent begins with the Sunday readings around the temptations to Jesus when he was in the desert. Every year it remains a powerful passage for reflection. All week, since last Sunday, it has tossed around in my thoughts and prayer.
Posted in Lent on Mar 12th, 2011
During Lent I decided to read ‘Characters of the Crucifixation’ by Joseph Fichtner. It has short reflections on 15 characters who played a role in the Passion and Death of Jesus. Peter’s story is especially revealing.
Posted in Benedictine Prayer, Benedictine practices, Lent on Mar 9th, 2011
By Prioress Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB Lord, impart to us the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it. St. Hilary of Poiters We read in the gospels of occasions when Jesus withdrew from others in order to pray in solitude. One episode was when Jesus was led by the Spirit [...]