Like Thomas Merton, Ed believed that every event in our lives holds something of the divine. Some experiences from Ed’s life at St. Benedict Center portray this belief. In the mid-60s monks of Taize along with our sisters led weekend retreats for university students at our Academy of St. Benedict. Ed, a good friend of the monks of Taize and an active member of Madison Campus Ministry arranged their fall retreat at our newly opened ecumenical retreat and conference center known as Saint Benedict Center. We had a stable of six or seven riding horses from our Academy Riding Club …
The Genesis of the Sonata Art Exhibit
Our Sonata exhibit artists gather to proof and critique each other’s work (L-R: Gregory Bleck, Donna Carnes, Blair Mathews, Kent Sweitzer) Last autumn, I discovered that one of our neighbors and biggest fans, Donna Carnes, was involved with an art exhibit at the Pyle Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The exhibit featured her poetry, paired with poetic works by Blair Mathews, matched up with watercolor paintings by a local artist. I had never met Blair before, but quickly discovered that he is well-known in various circles at the university through his career as a fitness instructor and poet, …
Volunteers in Community
In 2006, Sister Mary David Walgenbach and former coworker, Jerrianne Bland began the summer Volunteer in Community program at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Since then thirty-five women from the United States, Canada and New Zealand have participated in the program. The women live at the monastery and experience prayer, meals and community life with the sisters. They work on the monastery grounds and participate in spirituality discussions and leisure activities. Spiritual guidance is an option. The Benedictine rhythm of prayer, work, study and leisure defines the experience. Prayer is central to Benedictine life. The regularity of prayer calls us back to …
Welcoming a New Oblate Class
I had the opportunity to visit with Sandy Adams, a member of the oblate community at Holy Wisdom Monastery. In her role as Oblate Formation Circle Facilitator, Sandy interviewed this year’s incoming class of candidates, which is now at 13. She shared some of her experiences of journeying with the candidates during their discernment process. The Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery is an intentional community of women and men who find a practical spirituality in the Rule of Benedict. Oblates embark on a spiritual journey with believers of diverse backgrounds and faith practices. Drawing inspiration from the Rule of Benedict, oblates lead …
How Event Sponsorships Can Help Your Business!
The Benedictine Life Foundation is pleased to sponsor several events this summer. On June 8, 2012 we will welcome four artists for the Sonata exhibit, featuring poetry by Donna Carnes and Blair Matthews, and photography by Greg Bleck and Kent Sweitzer. On June 28, 2012 we will welcome back Trevor Stephenson and the Madison Bach Musicians for our annual Prairie Rhapsody fundraising concert. More information on these events will be available in future editions of Benedictine Bridge and on our website. We’ve already had several individuals and businesses agree to sponsor these events, but we need more to make the …
Who is Benedict?
I’m delighted to introduce you to Benedict of Nursia. Perhaps you recognize his name as the famous monk and author of the Rule of Benedict. This may be your first meeting with this “holy man of God,” so my desire is to go easy on historical information, and in fact we know little about the 6th century historical Benedict. Rather we learn of him through the influence of two documents, The Rule for Monks, and Gregory the Great’s Dialogues. We can also meet the person of Benedict through the lives of dedicated Benedictine women and men who practice his teachings. …
Rest and Relaxation at Holy Wisdom Monastery—Brother Paul Richards, OSB on Sabbatical
Balance. How do we find balance in our hectic lives? One way is by taking a break from our ordinary lives, and going to a quiet, peaceful place. Many people come to Holy Wisdom Monastery in search of this peace and quiet and leave feeling rested and renewed. Brother Paul Richards, OSB is spending a sabbatical from his work at St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota, at Holy Wisdom Monastery from October 2011 until May 2012. And he is finding the rhythm of the day at the monastery provides him the rest and relaxation he is searching for. Why does a Benedictine …
Planned Giving at Holy Wisdom Monastery: A Legacy of Love
What does a planned gift donor look like at Holy Wisdom Monastery? I’ve been fortunate to meet several of them in the past few years. They are Sunday Assembly members, Oblate community members, and members of the longstanding Community of Benedict. They are neighbors and environmental enthusiasts. They are supporters who have designated a few hundred dollars in their trust, will, or bequest, or they are people who have designated hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit the Benedictine Life Foundation of Wisconsin, Inc. For a lot of people, a planned gift is a way to make a big impact …
Virtual Monk
Thirty-seven years — that’s how long I have been associated with Holy Wisdom Monastery (HWM). Now Jean and I are leaving, moving to Boston to be closer to our daughter, her husband and our first grandchild. Thirty-seven years is a long time, and my mind is flooded with images. There are the sisters, actual monks, Mary David, Joanne, Lynne. When I first visited the center, as a Protestant I didn’t know what to expect of ‘nuns.’ I imagined them as somber figures in long flowing habits. Instead, these nuns wore street clothes. I did see a photo of Mary …
From Garden to Kitchen to Compost: Meals at Holy Wisdom Monastery
One of the experiences that guests at Holy Wisdom Monastery consistently enjoy is sharing a meal with the sisters and other guests. As one personal retreatant put it, “My meal was perfect. I had forgotten how colorful and good tasting real food is. Dining room lovely to be in and I enjoyed meeting all of you!” Balanced meals are very important in the Rule of Benedict. The Rule reads: “Whether the main meal each day is at noon or in mid-afternoon, two cooked dishes on every table should be enough to allow for differences of taste, so that those who …