The Priority of Love...

Today we had a guest instructor, Rev. Emmanuel Alvarez, OSA, a professor of Patristics at the Augustinianum here in Rome. Father's topic was the relationship between the Rule of Augustine and the Rule of Benedict. (Nancy Oliphant's icon can be found at http://www.bridgebuilding.com/.)

The more I learn about Augustine, the more I like him. Yes, I know his works have been cited to shift the concern of the Church in areas that affect sexuality and the dignity of women in GOD's creation. In all fairness to this friend of GOD, he was a hopeless sinner burdened with shame who found his strength in the bottomless pit of GOD's grace. So, while many might want to focus on the consequences of his personal issues, I choose to see Augustine as a companion in my own struggles for holiness. One can learn much from reading The Confessions. We can know more of his heart from reading his rule - a document written to instruct his community in the common life. It is eight short chapters - in monastic studies, a quick-read!

What is most gratifying is his emphasis on the Gospel mandate of love above all else and that the brothers "...live harmoniously...in oneness of mind and heart" (Rule of Augustine, 3.). We know Saint Benedict read this rule and significant pieces of it found their way into his seventy-three chapters. Many of the teachings I most love in RB are directly from this fourth-century source. The prioress should "strive to be loved more than feared" (RB 64:15). Likewise, Benedict's concept of distribution according to need and the need for immediate, mutual forgiveness also find their root in Augustine's wisdom. I am grateful to the Bishop of Hippo for his contribution to our Holy Rule. May he pray for the Church - that we might grow in understanding and reverance for the gifts of women. I must be getting old. I really do find comfort in the thought that "nobody's perfect."

Peace and love... - Sister Vicki

PS - We're off to Subiaco and Monte Cassino tomorow. Next "blog"... Friday.

"Lazarus, come out!"

I wish I could tell you all about the celebration of Saint Scholastica. Unfortunately, I missed the whole thing. I've been sick again. Nothing serious...just a 24-hour bug of some kind. (May GOD spare you such an adventure!) I spent about 36 hours in my room (Sunday evening until Tuesday morning). I ate nothing substantial. Yesterday afternoon, Sister Veronica brought crackers and 2 real COKE's and that seemed just right. This morning, as I left my room at 6 AM for Morning Prayer, I felt REALLY good - surprised to be feeling so much better and grateful for a taste of the resurrection in miniature. Like Lazarus with the glare of another sunrise in his eyes, I wondered at how good it feels just to be alive (and vertical!)

Our study group presented this morning. After being sick again, I really just wanted to get through it with a modicum of poise. Sister Veronica and Sister Maria Goretti both shined in presenting their pieces of the project. Sister Maria covered the scriptural background for our section of Chapter 4 (only one actual reference in the text, so she really worked on the premise that Benedict knew Holy Scripture inside and out - the presumption of consumption - and combed the Old and New for every reference that was applicable.) Sister Veronica discussed the correspondence of RB to the Rule of the Master and did a splendid survey of key Latin terms. (She really loves working with the primary sources and differing translations.) I offered a few thoughts on the structure of the text we were given - more like imaginings, really. It was a difficult task given that the verses were eviscerated from the whole of the chapter. I had to keep putting the piece back within the whole. All in all, I think it went just fine. Thank you, Sisters and friends, for your prayers. Grace flows freely across the ocean...praise GOD!

Tomorrow, we have a guest lecturer and Thursday, we're off to Subiaco and Monte Cassino. Next week, we have the possibility of a Papal Audience. This has been an incredible experience - truly, a priviledge. FYI...We've learned that Sister Aquinata will teach the course again next year in English, but after that, she will teach it in other languages. (Portugese is next.)

Blessings and love to you all... - Sister Vicki

PS - The Internet was down again here on Monday. Sick as a dog, I probably would have crawled to the laptop. GOD is very wise...

Piazza della Repubblica...

Sister Veronica and I had a marvelous adventure yesterday. We took the train to Saint Peter's to visit some church goods shops and

then....THEN...we boarded bus #64. This is the infamous cross-town route where strangers become rapidly aquainted in a crowded mass of bodies. The stories we've heard about this particular route make some visiting sisters blush and others ready to defend their personal space. The bus, at that hour of the morning, was full when we left the station. I kept one had on the strap of my bag, the other on the handrail, and closed my eyes. Nothing happened! Nothing. Not a bump or a learing stare or even the dreaded pinch. Sister Veronica sensed my disappointment and offered to pinch me. I declined. It's good to have sisters...

We investigated two international bookstores in the Piazza della Republica - a grand, ancient piazza that is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. We window-shopped and even wandered in to a couple of stores. Then, we made our way to the Quirinal neighborhood for lunch. Although there were many lovely trattorias on our route, I had a plan (BIG surprise!) [My Dear Old Dad was a research analyst for 40 years. It's no wonder that I love to research everything - especially restaurants!)

Antica Birrea Peroni is a landmark among native Romans. It was opened in 1909 and continues to serve hearty local fare and Peroni beer to regulars and tourists who wander off the main drag into its ancient environs. We had to wait for a table - quite normal at the lunch hour on a Saturday. Once we were seated we could finally see the scope of the place. There were at least two large rooms filled with tables that were so close, you could make some new friends.

It was bustling with activity...waiters swooshing by....weilding trays of beer in tall, glass steins...serving plates of goulash and gnocchi. I nearly swooned. To make a short story long takes no effort on my part when the subject is the table. So, I will control my urge to wax poetic and say that we had a wonderful meal - Italian steak with fries, cold beer and good house wine. We were both longing for some red meat. This was DEFINITLEY the right place to come. Before I close Sister Veronica and I want to thank our friends whose generosity made this second special meal possible. We prayed you a blessing in our table grace. I have plenty to write about in my food journal now...and wonderful memories to revisit...and few new tricks to try in the monastery kitchen!

Blessings and love to you all... - Sister Vicki

Out and about...

It's actually spring in Rome - birds are singing and the flowers are just blooming. Sister Veronica and I are going into the city in search of books and holy mementos of the journey to bring back with us. We're going to a new neighborhood - Piazza della Repubblica. We'll probably get a litttle lost, but that's part of the fun. There will be a meal somewhere. This time, we're searching for a real hamburger and an Italian beer. We're starting to long for American comfort food. Tomorrow, I'll catch you up on our adventure. Love and every blessing... - Sister Vicki

RB 53: On Receiving Guests

It's taken us two classes to cover one chapter. That, in and of itself, tells you how important the chapter on guests is to monastic spirituality (and to Sister Aquinata!) Christ, Benedict teaches, comes to the monastery in the stranger. We adore Christ in the guest when we make the stranger friend - when we welcome them into the community heart (RB 53:7).

I can't think about RB 53 without missing Sister Connie Ruth, our Guestmistress at Bristow. She manifests everything Benedict seeks in the one who is to take charge of the guest. The guest quarters are too be entrusted to a God-fearing sister (RB 53:21). Many of our visitors remark about her kindness and her attention to the details of hospitality. Sister Connie's real gift is the love of Christ that dwells in her heart. She can greet Christ in the stranger because she knows Him well. I think that's what Benedict was aiming at in his job description.

Twenty-five monastics have been guests in this house of God - Casa Santo Spiritu. Sister Pauline (Superior), Sister Gabriella and Sister Sophia (Guesthouse), have expansive and hospitable hearts. Hopefully, as the weeks wind down, we will find a way to be blessing to the Benedictine Missionary Sisters of Tutzing who have cared for us so lovingly.

"We interupt your regularly scheduled program..."

Happy LENT, dear ones! Yesterday, the Casa lost internet connection - yes, my worst fear realized! I missed this daily exercise of reflection and the chance to reach out to my sisters, friends, WIF's and WID's. (Women in Formation & Women in Discernment) There was some talk among the students that perhaps it was part of the sisters' Ash Wednesday observance. The grand cyber-silence was NOT an ascetic exercise, but, now that I think about it, it might be a wonderful thing to set aside next time the day comes round.

There were some difficulties (aside from being unable to blog), I couldn't send Sister Cecilia my Lenten resolutions (for her approval & blessing) or pick up her Lenten Exhortation which was delivered to the community at Morning Prayer (5:45 AM) on Wednesday. I called home and left a message on the prioress' private line and then, I was fine about the situation. There wasn't a thing I could do about it, so I entered into the quiet of the day - stuck my toe into the deep waters of silence. There are no accidents, I think. It must have been God's plan for my day.

Our topic in class yesterday was, by grace and some clever planning, RB:49, "On the Observance of Lent." It was wonderfult to have the coursework and the liturgical calendar converge. It really took the edge off the general atmosphere of homesickness here. (I was not alone. Most monastics long to be home on these very sacred days. We each can't help but think that OUR house really knows how to kick off the season right.) It was so good of Sister Cecilia to send her talk to the monastics on a journey (as well as to sisters on mission.) Her reflections on the season have really set the tone for my own observance. Sister has a way of encouraging us to keep becoming and, at the same time, affirms the goodness and holiness of our community. I will pray for all of you what Sister Cecilia hopes for the monastic community - that this LENT might be "a journey in to the heart."

Love to you all... - Sister Vicki

PS - I am grateful to all of you who have e-mailed this week. We're under a deadline with a class project. I'll be in touch this weekend. Thanks for your patience...

Two Jubilees...

Today, we celebrate the jubilees of Sister Therese (40 years) from Uganda and Sister Maximillian (25 years) from Korea. The day began with a festive Eucharist in which the sisters renewed their professions and sang the ancient suscipe - "Receive me, O God, as you have promised that I may live and do not disappoint me in my hope. (Psalm 119:116)" It was very moving - especially since the ink isn't dry on MY profession formula! The power of the ritual and the gravity of the promise came home to me again in their recommitment of their lives to God in faith.

I was permitted to take photographs for the blog as well as for the jubilarians. The Preparation of the Gifts was especially joyful. Four sisters danced the bread to the altar while intoning an African hymn. Sister Therese left her place of honor to play the drum. It made me mis Sister Gisella very much. Her dancing has been such a gift to our monastic liturgy... The Korean sisters sang a BEAUTIFUL hymn after Communion - the harmony was exquisite!

After class and Midday Prayer, we had a very festive luncheon: special egg & spinach fettucine, turkey with mushrooms and peas, Ricotta Cheesecake, Carrot Cake AND, be still my heart, chocloate GELATO!!!!! (I took a picture so you all can see the very cute cup it comes in.) Tonight, we sing and celebrate some more in the sisters' Community Room. Then Compline, a little later than usual, and bed. Not a bad way to end Ordinary Time and prepare for the fresh start of holy Lent. That reminds me of a letter I need to write to the prioress...hmmmmm...

Love to you all and HAPPY LENT!

- Sister Vicki