A Midwestern Celebration...

I had the privilege of spending last weekend in St. Joseph, MN. My friend, Sister Mary Catherine Holicky, OSB, celebrated twenty-five years of fidelity to the monastic way of life. First, there was the simple joy of friendship and sharing a very special day. Second, I was overwhelmed, yet again, by the beauty of their liturgy. Finally, there came awe for the fine-tuned hospitality of St. Benedict’s Monastery. There were 14 jubilarians – Mary Catherine at 25 and 13 celebrating their 50th. So, there were 14 families and 14 collections of friends gathered on the same campus. Each jubilarian had a separate reception hosted by two or three sisters. For two hours Sunday afternoon, sisters went from party to party wishing their sisters well and visiting with their friends and family. I’ve never seen a community so focused on the details of welcoming or so genuine in their desire for one another’s joy. Each visit to this house reminds me that our monastic life is lived so beautifully in so many places – whether a house of 30 or 300. GOD bless this house with many more like my friend.

Blessings and love…

- Sister Vicki

http://www.sisterbloggers.blogspot.com/.

Summer Reading...

I've been asked, more than once, by women in discernment with our community, to assemble a list of books that I would recommend to the spiritual seeker. Having no authority other than my own preferences, I offer you a short list of the books that have changed me. These books are in no particular order but they reflect a decade of searching in my own life. Some are "heady" but most or just soul-stretching reflection. I think GOD uses everything to help us see the next step in the path. Certainly, the core events of our lives - joys and sufferings - are the most illuminative. Spiritual reading, though, plays a significant part of the everyday search for holiness. Whether it's five minutes, five pages or five chapters a day, we will be changed by what we read. That's not to say that all spiritual reading will be edifying. Some books don't seem to do much for us. But, Michael Casey, OCSO, urges us to read them start to finish anyway. Every book has its integrity - a message intended to be heard in its fullness. So even the dry and dull can have an effect on the soul. Having never written a book, I am in awe of both the process and the vulnerability of those who dare to share the insights of their inner life. The books that really change us are the ones we cannot forget. We might not remember every idea or even the main thrust of the author's work, but we know that this book was part of GOD's plan for us. We remember where we were on the spiritual journey when we read it and where it helped us to go. So, I offer these books to you who are searching for GOD's will in your life. Perhaps one of them might let in some light or even help you to close another door. If you've read something really good lately, I'd love to hear about it. vocations@osbva.org It's good to be back on-line. More tomorrow...

Blessings and love,

- Sister Vicki

http://www.sisterbloggers.blogspot.com/