Now that I have been here for almost three months, the question most often posed to me has changed from, What is your day like? (see All in Time, Part II) to, How are you doing (i.e., now that the initial flush of newness is fading)? I hear myself say, “I am still finding my way, but I feel very much at home.” At home… I recently watched The Hobbit on DVD. In J. R .R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic, hobbit Bilbo Baggins leaves his beloved shire, gently nudged by his friend the wizard Gandalf, and finds himself on an “unexpected journey” …
All in Time – Part II
What is your day like? This is the primary question I get from folks as they learn that I am a “Benedictine Sojourner.” So, here’s a snapshot. The big picture is that every day is framed by prayer in community: morning prayer, midday prayer and evening prayer. These periods, the Liturgy of the Hours, include sung and recited psalms, hymns, readings from Scripture and other writings, intercessory prayer and silence. Joined to these in the morning and evening is Centering Prayer, wordless prayer in the presence of God. Even before our gathered prayer in the morning, I spend time in …
All in Time – Part I
I am walking into the sun. I am struck with this thought as I am temporarily blinded on my way to the monastery this morning. I am by no means experiencing a dramatic post-resurrection vision like Paul on the road to Damascus; it is just that the sun has been such a rare sighting since my arrival at Holy Wisdom Monastery in early April. It is now May. Spring is finally here, I think. And after a little over a month I am cheerfully settling into my Sojourner Year (though still arriving over the long term – see my introductory …
A New Thing
Hello from Trish Stefanik, the newest Benedictine Sojourner. I have arrived. At the monastery, that is; I have a long way to go to acclimate to a new part of the country, get to know a whole new community of people and enter into a new way of life. Not to mention, learn what light switch turns on what light, where the dishes and utensils are kept in the kitchen, and how to get around the oratory, offices, buildings, the prairie and a new town. Whew. Yes, arriving will take time. I am very grateful that the sisters and the …
Celebrating our 60th anniversary ~ March 11, 2013
This month the sisters celebrate 60 years of presence in Madison – a wonderful opportunity to renew the vision, commitment and strength of our sisters’ community and to recall the women who set out on a new venture. In the seeds of our founding, 60 years ago, was a deep faithfulness to God’s call and a pioneering spirit that has moved our community into uncharted waters throughout our history. Most recently this “pioneering spirit” motivated the bold step of becoming the first ecumenical Benedictine community in the US. Reflecting on early ecumenical experiences and the move toward greater ecumenism, …
Celebrating a monastic anniversary
On January 6, 2013 Sister Mary David Walgenbach will celebrate the 52nd anniversary of her monastic profession. We join Sister Mary David in celebrating God’s faithful presence through all these years, and we give thanks for the gifts of stability and growth in monastic life. The Suscipe, a prayer which is sung as part of the monastic profession, continues to offer its blessing: Sustain me, O God, as you have promised, that I may live, and disappoint me not in my hope.
Celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours in Advent and Christmas
During the last week before Christmas, we begin the daily singing of the O Antiphons, an ancient practice that embraces the sense of longing and anticipation for Christmas which swells with each day. These antiphons are sung prior to the Magnificat, the Song of Mary from Luke 1:46-55, in our evening prayers throughout this week. Each antiphon begins by addressing God with a name that expresses God’s loving design for people of all times and places. Each antiphon is completed with the petition to “Come” and continue the redeeming activity needed in our lives and in our world today. We …
It's been a quiet week…
“It’s been a quiet week…” at Lost Lake (the small, glacial lake on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery!) – both literally and figuratively. In the Retreat & Guest House we are hosting 40 Appamada practitioners for a silent meditation retreat. The days have been cool, and the skies have often been gray, and much needed rain has soaked the earth and brought down many fall leaves. Inside the pulse of life is felt and surrounded by the gracious space of quiet, Benedictine hospitality. We offered an Exploring Benedictine Community retreat last weekend, which included an extended stay during the …
The Benedictine way of discernment
Discernment is a process of making a decision or finding direction in one’s life. At its very heart, discernment is a conversation – with God, with friends, with spiritual mentors and guides – a conversation which leads to more clarity about God’s call for you. Discernment brings into focus one’s deepest life questions: What is the purpose of my life? With whom do I want to live and how will I express my love? How can I use my gifts and talents and whom do I want to serve? Benedict’s emphasis in discernment is on listening with both the head …
A day in our life in community
The first Benedictine Sojourners, Nancy Melin and Linda Steg, arrived at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. They are settling into the rhythm of monastic life. In a future issue we will share some of their reflections; here we offer the daily rhythm they and the sisters follow. Our day begins with quiet time, breakfast and personal preparation for the day. Prayer sets the tone as we gather in the oratory for centering prayer and morning prayer. Retreatants, neighbors and oblates join us. Beginning the day with prayer and Scripture reading orients us to the search for God which is at the …