As Benedictines around the world celebrate the Solemnity of St. Scholastica on February 10, I took up once again the well-loved and compelling story of the twins, Saints Benedict and Scholastica, from chapter 33 of the Life and Miracles of St. Benedict written by Pope Gregory the Great. The story…
Read More
Every time I enter our sacred chapel space, my attention is drawn to the Latin phrase painted in gold atop the main arch at the east end of the chapel: “ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus.” In English it means: “that in all things God may be glorified”(1 Peter 4:11 and…
Read More
During this past year, especially the past couple of months, I find myself reflecting frequently about darkness, light, and hope. Daily during Lauds in chanting or reciting the Canticle of Zechariah, we profess our hope in God’s Love and Light: “In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from…
Read More
When I entered Sacred Heart Monastery as a postulant in 1996, Sister Bernadette Sachs was in charge of the formation program for postulants and novices. At the same time, she was the Infirmarian as well, overseeing the care of the sick and the elderly. After reading the recent blog by…
Read More
We all have a yearning for God in our hearts, even those who claim they are not religious. The psalmist says it this way: O God, you are my God— it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless,…
Read More
I once had a car named Epiphania. (Yes, I name my cars.) Why “Epiphania?” It arrived on the Feast of the Epiphany, the feast of the manifestation of the Lord to the Gentiles. For me, this vehicle was a symbol of the manifestation of the Lord in my midst through…
Read More
I became a Benedictine when I was fourteen, even though I didn’t know it at the time. I listened with the ear of my heart and put what I learned into practice. I didn’t recognize my Grandma Whitedeer because she had completely transformed after Grandpa died in 1958, when I…
Read More
Only two days until Christmas! I am sure every child is excited with anticipation and a few adults as well! Maybe all of us should hold that same excitement in our hearts, even if it is for a different purpose. As I prepare for the Nativity of our Lord and…
Read More
We are nearing the end of the Advent season. Advent, that holy season of the liturgical year which trumpets God’s extravagant love for us, a love beyond reckoning! No matter how broken or seemingly hopeless our world may seem sometimes, the Advent messages are rich with joyous expectation and longing,…
Read More
The season of Advent is always a welcome and joyous part of our monastic lives. We look forward to all of the rich Old Testament Scripture readings that reawaken our hearts to the desire to be more faithful to our monastic profession: “Behold, the Lord will come, and all his…
Read More