Chapter 49 of the Rule of St. Benedict tells us how we are to observe Lent in the monastery.

The life of a monk ought always to be a Lenten observance. However, since such virtue is that of few, we advise that during these days of Lent he guard his life with all purity and at the same time wash away during these holy days all the shortcomings of other times. This will then be worthily done, if we restrain ourselves from all vices. Let us devote ourselves to tearful prayers, to reading and compunction of heart, and to abstinence.

During these days, therefore, let us add something to the usual amount of our service, special prayers, abstinence from food and drink, that each one offer to God “with the joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Thes 1:6), of his own accord, something above his prescribed measure; namely, let him withdraw from his body somewhat of food, drink, sleep, speech, merriment, and with the gladness of spiritual desire await holy Easter.

Let each one, however, make known to his Abbot what he offereth and let it be done with his approval and blessing; because what is done without permission of the spiritual father will be imputed to presumption and vain glory, and not to merit. Therefore, let all be done with the approval of the Abbot.

We refer to these extra practices as our “bona opera” our “good work” for the Lenten season.  We all tell our Prioress what little additional sacrifice we will make these 40 days and she gives us her blessing.  A few things we are doing as a community – keeping a greater atmosphere of quiet in the monastery, table reading at our noon meal instead talking, no desserts except fruit during the week.

May these small acts of self denial bring us closer to the heart of our Beloved.  I pray for many graces and blessings for all of us this Lent.  Peace!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

This is one of my favorite poems/quotations what have you – it is attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, a Jesuit priest.

Fall in Love

Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.

Well, Happy New Year!!  Sorry for the long blog silence – here’s what’s been going on

1.  We are still getting settled into our monastery. We aren’t quite ready for overnight guests and tours yet  BUT we happily invite people to come pray with us in our chapel!

2.  This video was enjoyed by quite few of us in the convent.    It is funny but the underlying message is serious – the “beauty” we see in magazines and ads is a work of fiction.

3.   We are now officially selling  Ink and Toner cartridges!!  Please support our newest venture, ScriptSure Ink.  (Don’t you love the name?)

4.  It’s snowing!!!  We really haven’t had much of the white stuff this year.  I don’t think today’s will amount to much but it sure is pretty to watch.

5.  I am in a program to become a Spiritual Mentor.  It is sponsored by the Apostles of the Interior Life and the School of Faith of the Archdiocese of Kansas City.   I have taken some online courses and one week long residential session.  So far I have been totally blown away by the quality of the courses and the practical approach.    I am so grateful that my community it allowing me this opportunity.  (Note:  this program defines Spiritual Director as one who has training AND a degree in theology.  A Spiritual Mentor has training also but lacks the degree.)

6.  Random interesting fact:  The word lethologica describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.

7.  And lastly some personal news….  I have decided to wear a veil.   Wearing the veil is optional in our congregation.  Some sisters have chosen to do so and some have not.    When I professed my vows,  I did not ask to wear a veil.  Over the last several years, I have felt more drawn to it and so I have asked for a trial year to wear a veil.  I think having my own experience of it will help me make a permanent decision.   I will post a picture soon!

Have a great weekend!

Well, we did it!  We are finally back in our monastery.  We are still in the midst of unpacking and settling in and our chapel is still not yet open to the public.  But we are back in our home and so happy!  There was a group of five sisters who were instrumental in planning our renovations – our building committee.  They met with the architects, engineers, and construction team regularly over the course of more than two years.  We decided that we needed to celebrate their efforts and the joy of being back in our home.  So last night we did just that (photos courtesy of Sr. Sophia Becker)

This sign welcomed the community into the refectory after Vespers Sunday evening.  There were lots of tasty treats arranged around the room.  Here is our beloved building committee checking out the chips and dips.  From the left, Srs. Cheryl, Valerie, Sean, Rebecca, and Pat.

During the meal we had a little entertainment from Sadie and Linda ( the alter egos of Srs. Jane and yours truly). 

Linda read a poem that chronicled our experiences in the last few years as we prepared for and acted upon our plan to renovate our monastery building.   It was a celebration of our whole community and a good time was had by all.