Sisters and sojourners gathered around the Advent wreath for evening prayer

Presence

Lynne Smith, OSBBuilding Community, Living in Community 2 Comments

I’ve been reflecting on “presence” since Advent began. Paul Knitter’s homily of December 6, 2015 brought my musings into focus. Here is a line that caught my attention. “That Jesus will ‘come again’ in the future is not out there, on a horizontal line: rather, the future is vertically the depth of the present, that which is already here but has to be discovered, trusted, and realized.” Benedictine spirituality calls me to see Christ in every person I encounter. I’m better at being present to that reality on some days than on others. Recent weeks have been full of opportunities …

Sister Lynne walking along prairie path in early morning

Finding the seeds of God’s call in my life

Lynne Smith, OSBBuilding Community, Living in Community 3 Comments

At the monastery, I like to walk around the property on Sunday afternoon to see what has changed since the last time I walked. The close connection to and care for the land we have at Holy Wisdom is something that resonated deeply with me when I was exploring a call to life in our community. I believe that a call comes right out of one’s life. That means that rather than being something extraordinary that drops down from heaven to overwhelm a person, a call grows from the values, characteristics and dreams one has already begun to develop. My desire …

Sisters and sojourners share conversation over breakfast preparations

Community living

Lynne Smith, OSBBuilding Community, Living in Community 3 Comments

On Mondays in Bingen House, where I live with Rosy and the sojourners, Denise and Paz, we have developed something of a tradition we call “Monday Breakfasts.” Monday is our day of renewal for activities that refresh us body, soul and spirit. We have leisure time in the morning to make a big breakfast which usually turns into brunch. You might recognize this tradition in your house on a Saturday or Sunday. Sojourners Denise (far left) and Paz (far right) and Sisters Rosy (middle, left) and Lynne (middle, right) preparing breakfast together. This past Monday we stood around the kitchen …

Sisters walking together in the prairie

Transitions – endings, beginnings and time in the wilderness

Lynne Smith, OSBBuilding Community, Living in Community 2 Comments

Transitions – growing in community The sisters’ community is looking forward to Rosy Kandathil’s first monastic profession on September 20, 2015 with joy! Rosy’s transition from retreatant to Benedictine Sojourner to novice and now to sister has brought the four of us closer in shared values, Benedictine practices and love. Our shared experiences over the past two years have brought growth and deeper commitment to this way of life for all four of us.One of the promises Rosy will make at her first monastic profession is fidelity to the monastic way of life. In the Rule of Benedict this is often …