Oblates of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., blog about Benedictine values, prayer and life.
Posted in Benedictine Oblates on Aug 31st, 2008
A few weeks ago I was in a bar to hear some musician friends. Shortly after our arrival–Cynthia and daughter Emma were with me–I met an acquaintance who, without the usual chit-chatty preamble, abruptly said, “I heard you became a Catholic. Is that true?” When I responded in the affirmative he quickly asked, “Why would [...]
Posted in Benedictine Oblates, Benedictine prayer, Uncategorized on Aug 23rd, 2008
As a musician, my lectio frequently takes a musical form. I believe that even humming is an unconscious form of lectio: I have learned to attempt to notice what I’m humming (if it is a recognizable tune). Frequently my hummings are hymn-tunes and occasionally I am unable to recall the words. So, I look them [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 22nd, 2008
So many of the Psalms focus on the Temple, on Zion, as a place of pilgrimage, joy, security. I am wondering what others feel when they pray a Psalm centered on Temple imagery, since I have not usually responded emotionally to this image–certainly not in the intense way that Jews of ancient Israel would have [...]
Posted in Benedictine Oblates, News on Aug 20th, 2008
Peace! It is good to have a new, more powerful and yet simpler blog format for Oblates to use. Thank you sisters for encouraging us to break open our lives and to share our thoughts on our spiritual paths. Especially, thanks to Sue Flansburg for facilitating this awesome website for the Benedictine Sisters of St. [...]