Archive for April, 2008

Benedict’s visit to our Monastery!

April 30th, 2008

Pope Benedict's Coat of Arms

     Woah! I bet that got your attention. :) In the refectory while we eat our meals in silence we watch programs pre-recorded off of EWTN or listen to audio tapes or CDs of a spiritual importance. During meals we feed body and spirit! Yes, we continue to enjoy watching EWTN’s coverage of Pope Benedict’s visit to the U.S. (Great job Raymond Arroyo!) We are currently watching the Mass for Priest, Deacons and Religious. At the rate we are going we will finish perhaps in mid-May! So, as we ponder his talks and homilies we feel as though we are being soaked in the presence and spirit of the Vicar of Christ!

     One of the Sisters recently came across an excellent article written by Peggy Noonan about the Holy Father’s Mass in St. Patrick’s – the one we are currently watching. Click here to read that great article – Flock Feeling His ‘Charisma of Sincerity’.

 

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Happy Feast Day Mother!

April 29th, 2008

     Today is our Mother Superior’s Feast Day and in her honor we are having a gaudeamus day! Now, perhaps you are wondering just what that is. It is a “day of rejoicing” where we are freed up from our usual monastic schedule and have more time for community bonding through recreation, games, song, festive meals…maybe even some fishing! (We also have these days on Thanksgiving and Fourth of July – to name a few.)

     Those Sisters gifted with some creativity usually have made during the past year one or more homemade gifts for the Superior to give to her on this day. These are usually items she can use or give away as presents. Of course we all give her the gift of prayer as this is the most needed gift of all when one carries a duty of such large responsibilities. And she would appreciate your prayers too! She usually has a little something for each Sister.

     In Mother’s honor we had some wonderful entertainment this morning.

  • a skit – a visit from the apostles, St. Peter and St. John – God had to put the brash Peter and the “son of thunder” John in their places…we think He succeeded 
  • and after processing to the printing room we had a little concert with piano, violin and guitar – provided by our aspirants. The rest of us joined in with our voices and of course Sr. Mary Andrea provided beautiful sign language. (No Sister, is not deaf. But she attended a grade school for deaf children and was a sign language interpreter for her friend in high school.) By the way she is out on the tractor right now, disking up garden! Here is a picture of her as a novice a year or so ago.

 

Sr. Mary Andrea on bike

     Because we are having some troubles with our digital camera I don’t have any photos of these events. Bummer! The Lord uses many ways to teach me detachment!

 

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Into the Deep!

April 22nd, 2008

Saint Joseph Monastery

To all our web savvy friends – Greetings from the cloister!

     We are so excited about this new vocation promotion endeavor – I very well believe we are the first of all the communities of Passionist Nuns throughout the world to have a blog. (Although, I would love to be corrected about that!)

#90 in our Rule & Constitutions states

     The Passionist Nuns, being cooperators with God who chooses and calls whom He wills, strive to encourage vocations by making known the value of the consecrated life and the challenge involved in the following of Christ Crucified, as also through the example of their lives, their prayer and the spoken and written word.

     In your charity, please offer a prayer for us as we “strive to encourage vocations” to Passionist life by casting our net into the deep sea of blogging.

     P.S. I can’t forget to extend a special thanks Louisville seminarian Matthew Hardesty (native of Owensboro, KY) who took time away from his retreat in our retreat house to help us become a bit more educated about blogs. God reward you Matthew! And our continued prayers as you seek to be a priest of Jesus Christ. (Visit Matthew’s blog: http://theschoolofmary.blogspot.com/)

 

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