Newspaper lectio

Holy Wisdom MonasteryPrayer & Worship, Spirituality Articles Leave a Comment

It can be difficult to know how to respond to the overwhelming concerns of the world that come to our attention. How do we listen with compassion and love, without becoming numb to the troubles that surround us? The daily newspaper can become a valuable tool. As we read with sacred attention, the newspaper can slow us down, informing us about issues and events while also touching the wellspring of our hearts. Adapting the method of holy reading to the paper, enables us to listen deeply with the Spirit to the world’s concerns and pray with intelligence, understanding and compassion. …

Celebrating Advent at Holy Wisdom Monastery

Lynne Smith, OSBBenedictine Bridge, Living in Community, Monastic Life, Prayer & Worship Leave a Comment

“We seek the God of our longing who is near.” ~ Antiphon for Monday evening prayer, Advent week 1 One candle is lit each week during Advent as we await the coming of Jesus. At the heart of monastic life is the search for God. The liturgical seasons shape our prayer and our lives at the monastery on our journey to the Holy One. Each season gives voice to different aspects of our spiritual journey. The celebration of Advent can reset our inner compass to our deep desires for healing, hope and peace that God’s presence brings. While stores are …

Praying The Prayer of Jesus

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Living in Community, Monastic Life, Prayer & Worship, Spirituality Articles 2 Comments

          The Prayer of Jesus           Holy One, our only Home,              blessed be your name,                may your day dawn,                  your will be done,                  here, as in heaven.           Feed us today, and forgive us,              as we forgive each other.           Do not forsake us at the test,         …

The "big tent" Church

Holy Wisdom MonasteryPrayer & Worship, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

by Jim Smith, Dignity/USA program manager As the official institution of the Catholic church in Madison, WI continues down a Razinger-esque path of rigid uniformity and parochialism—the “small chapel” of church referred to negatively by Pope Francis—the Dignity community in Madison brings some fresh air to that beautiful city. From their inception, they have joined with the Episcopalian LGBT group Integrity to worship, serve and build relationships together. Taking very seriously Vatican II’s clarion call to build bridges between communities of different denomination and faith, Integrity/Dignity (I/D) of Madison didn’t waste time. Through these many years they have managed to sustain …

Celebrate the Risen Christ at Holy Wisdom Monastery

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Prayer & Worship Leave a Comment

By Lynn Lemberger, director of prayer and worship and Carolyn McGinley, director of communications Processing to the baptismal font during the Easter Vigil. Come experience Holy Week at the monastery! Photo by Gregory Bleck Worship at Holy Wisdom Monastery is ecumenical, meaning the unity of Christians. Services follow the Christian tradition and are also shaped by Benedictine spirituality. All are welcome and encouraged to participate fully. This includes the prayer and worship services during Holy Week and Easter. As in most Christian churches, Holy Week is the most sacred time of the liturgical year at Holy Wisdom Monastery. During this week we offer …

Celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours in Advent and Christmas

Holy Wisdom MonasteryLiving in Community, Monastic Life, Prayer & Worship, Spirituality Articles Leave a Comment

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 …

Reflections on Morning Prayer

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Prayer & Worship, Spirituality Articles Leave a Comment

by Ed Emmenegger, Holy Wisdom Monastery neighbor and volunteer All are welcome to attend daily prayer at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Ed Emmenegger (in front row) reflects on his experience at morning prayer below.  On Thanksgiving weekend 2009, while many were still gratefully celebrating the opening of the sparkling and highly acclaimed monastery building, I decided more prayer in my life would be a good thing for Advent. I wanted to see if I could build on positive experiences of morning prayer I’ve had away on retreat in past years. Though I had often prayed in thanksgiving and wonder while walking the trails of Holy Wisdom for …

Integrating Prayer into Community Life

Lynne Smith, OSBBenedictine Bridge, Monastic Life, Prayer & Worship, Women Exploring Community Leave a Comment

Prayer is an integral element of the Benedictine Sojourner experience as they participate in our life and ministry. Our Sojourners, Linda and Nancy, are faithful to the Liturgy of Hours three times a day and to morning and evening centering prayer. Since centering prayer is new to them, some of our faith formation classes have focused on centering prayer. In addition, they are taking part in a class on centering prayer offered by oblate Beth O’Brien. Lectio divina, a prayerful practice of reading and meditating on scripture, is an important prayer practice in the Benedictine tradition. We sisters spend time each morning in lectio, …

Bearing with one another

Holy Wisdom MonasteryLiving in Community, Monastic Life, Prayer & Worship, Retreats, Women's Lenten Lunches Leave a Comment

Thanks to Trisha Day, member of Sunday Assembly at Holy Wisdom Monastery, for leading off our series of Women’s Lenten Lunches today. We were joined by 48 guests as Trisha offered a new perspective on Lenten disciplines. She suggests we give up some of our own self-interest and unhelpful patterns of relating to others in order to “bear with one another,” to show true compassion, to reverence what is sacred in others. Trisha references this spirit of compassion in a variety of writings: Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as sisters and brothers …

Celebrating the Feast of Scholastica

Lynne Smith, OSBLiving in Community, Monastic Life, Prayer & Worship, Spirituality Articles Leave a Comment

Today we celebrate the Feast of Scholastica, said to have lived from 480 to 543, the twin sister of Benedict. She is a patron of Benedictines throughout the world. Scholastica led a form of consecrated life with a group of Christian women, following the spirit of the Rule of Benedict. We know of her life only from legend and from a brief story in the Dialogues of Gregory the Great. Gregory tells us that she traveled each year to meet her brother at a small house midway between their residences. On one occasion, after a day filled with deep and …