Just a Bad Dream...

The cars had teeth – real teeth. It was pouring rain and I needed to go to the monastery. There were many cars to choose from, but they all had teeth. What made it worse was that they were alive. They weren’t just lined up in the driveway waiting the turn of a key. These cars were actually writhing and snapping like alligators. I had to wrestle them apart – watching for the jaws and the swinging back end. I heard a door close and I was awake – at least I thought I was. I was so deep in sleep when I went downstairs for coffee that I woke up on the stairs with my hairbrush in my hand. Karen turned the corner to ascend, coffee mug in hand. I broke morning silence – not good – to tell her I didn’t know what I was doing on the stairs with my hairbrush. All three of us – Sister Mary in the community room trying to pray – tried not to laugh. It was a very strange beginning to the day.

Today is the feast of Saint Hildegard of Bingen – an 12th century abbess, artist, musician, poet, liturgist, mystic and all-around friend of God. A woman of great courage in the face of a Church constricted by rules, Hildegard stood her ground to safeguard love. She and her whole community paid a price for that faithfulness, but in the end, the God who called her to lead gave her justice. Mystics, in general, have a hard road. I doubt that the visions she was given compare to any bad dream, but she must have been frightened at times as she struggled to make sense of them. Her art can appear a bit frightening without explanation. I find her choice of colors earthy and beautiful. The truths contained are often less accessible to me – not unlike my own bad dreams.

It’s been six weeks since the accident. Both of my sisters are still struggling with the aftermath - physically and emotionally. When they collide, cars do have teeth. In my waking life there is greater peace and sense that "all shall be well." But in my sleep I guess I am still working out the events of August 1st and the suffering of my sisters. Although we have no control of what happens in life, I feel very responsible for the safety of the sisters I’m living with now. We are funny creatures – fearfully, wonderfully made (Psalm 139). Fortunately, God gives us the grace to live our days in faith and a place to work out our fears during the night. May Saint Hildegard intercede for us all today and guard our hearts from every fear. Please keep our sisters in your prayers.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

Triumph of the Cross...

The readings for this feast are absolutely brilliant! On days like this I just want to hug the theologians that placed them together for our blessing. Today the Old and New Testaments are like bookends that hold the mystery of our salvation. Moses, in the first reading, raises up a staff with a bronze serpent to cure those bitten by snakes in the desert. In the gospel Jesus draws the dotted line saying: "So, too, must the Son of man be lifted up." There it is - the simple truth - the power of the cross. For the Chosen People that snake on a stick was the source of their healing. For us who believe, the death and resurrection of Christ heals us of every sin.

This morning we did shared lectio at Morning Prayer. (I just love it!) Sister Mary and Karen were both wearing red - the color for this feast. (They are such nuns!) The sharing was rich and Spirit-led. When I heard the gospel proclaimed this morning, Jesus' words felt like a command: "So, too, Son of man must be lifted up." So many have not heard the Good News. "God so loved the world that God gave the only Son...(John 3:16)." So many feel trapped by failure and weakness. What can I do today to lift him up so others might see his love and mercy? A great challenge for all who believe.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

Three bowls...

This morning I laid out three cereal bowls and spoons – one for Sister Mary, one for Karen and one for me. (You probably can guess which one us eats from the melamine "Spiderman" bowl. It was a gift, OK?) It was such a happy sad moment. I felt a rush of joy because this simple ritual means that our house in a home again – we are three. I felt a twinge of sadness, too, because that was always Sister Charlotte’s gift in the early morning. I remember how it made me feel loved when I first moved in three years ago. It really is the little things in community – or in a family – that touch the heart deeply. I missed her this morning - even as I thanked God for Sister Mary and Karen.

Today was their first day at Saint Gertrude High School. I can’t tell you how many teachers and students stopped to greet us! There is great joy around their arrival and the gift of their presence at Saint Gertrude this year. Miss Alexander, who did her undergrad in Mathematics, will intern with Campus Ministry and be a Math resource for students who need some one-on-one support. Sister Mary, a former research librarian – will do special projects in the Library & Media Center. They both have many gifts to share, though it is their joyful Benedictine selves that will be the real gift to our school. Both received homemade “welcome” cards from Miss Fusco’s theology class. Very sweet… And there were some real sweets in the mailbox marked, “Benedictine Sisters.” It was a lovely first day of school that began with a very good morning. Three bowls on the kitchen counter mean that my days of dining alone are over. More importantly, three bowls mean our Benedictine way of life is continuing in Richmond. That is something to celebrate!

Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki

Sister Mary makes First Profession...

At Evening Prayer last night Sister Mary Clark, OSB, made her First Profession. Surrounded by the monastic community and invited guests, Sister Mary made the three-fold promise of stability, obedience and fidelity to the monastic way of life. This ancient formula makes monastics distinct among religious. Benedictines predate the evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity and obedience. Our profession rite is over 1500 years old and reflects the direct instructions of our Holy Father, Saint Benedict.

In making this profession, Sister Mary has bound herself for a period of three years to the Holy Rule. Sister Cecilia Dwyer, OSB, our prioress, spoke to the assembly about monastic profession. Sister Cecilia explained that although this moment constitutes a three-year commitment, Sister Mary must believe that it is truly the beginning of a life-long covenant between her and the monastic community. The power of this rite comes from its focus on Christ. Sister Mary signed her profession formula on the Book of the Gospels - a symbolic act that represents a lifetime of love for the Word. It is a public act in the Church - before God, the saints and the prioress who holds the place of Christ in our house.

Sister Mary is the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Diebler of Mt. Carmel, IL. Sister's family was held in prayer as they are part of our extended community. On Labor Day Sister Mary leaves the monastery to help re-establish the Richmond mission. She will reside at St. Gertrude Convent and serve in the library of our high school. Please keep Sister Mary in your prayers as she continues to search for God as a Benedictine Sister of Virginia.

Some weekend!

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

"Someone's Knockin' on the Door"...

As the bell rings Rosa Farrar walks, surrounded by her family, to the door of our Chapel.



The community waits inside the Gathering Space for the new postulant to knock.

Sister Cecilia opens the door and asks Rosa the question: "What do you seek?"

Rosa introduces her family to the community: three sons, one daughter and many beautiful grandchildren! After the entrance rite, her family joined us for Evening Prayer and supper on the patio. What a beautiful day God gave us for a celebration!

Our new "sister"...

Sister Pat Novak, OSB, entered the novitiate on Saturday morning. The private rite begins her year in the womb of community - a year of study, prayer and internal ministry.
Sister Doris Nolte, OSB, is our Novice Director. Sister Pat will be in her care for the next 12 months. Though Sister Pat will be limited in her ability to travel during the coming year, she will experience the true freedom of the monastic life. It is the most intense year of initial formation. Sister Pat is looking forward to the journey...and we are blessed to have a new sister among us!

Sister Pat received the blessing of the entire community. After hugs and kisses, we shared a WONDERFUL breakfast buffet with Sister Pat's family.

The mind of Christ...

In today’s first reading St. Paul differentiates believers from those “of the world.” People without faith cannot make sense of the the world. They have no spritual vocabulary – no lens though which to understand this human/divine enterprise. “But we,” St. Paul says, “we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).”

I have the mind of Christ? It must be so if Paul says so, I just can’t fathom it. My mind is filled with thoughts – random and conscious, fleeting and stubborn. The last few weeks especially have been taken up with very complex mental operations and very mundane realities. “What should our three scholastics be reading this year?” “What size filter goes in the A/C vent upstairs?” “Where does Sister Charlotte get her courage?” “Did I wheel the garbage to the street?” “Have to start that report for Chapter.” “God, I need ice cream!” “I miss you, Denise.” “Call Catholic Mutual to get insurance for the new car.”

My mind feels very much like my mind right now. I can’t imagine the Lord living with that torrent of information coursing through his grey matter. But he must have had worries…and a “To Do” list of his own. “So many to heal…I can’t bear their suffering.” “One hour ALONE would be so good.” “I need to visit my Mother.” “These fishermen just aren’t getting it.” “Father, I love you.” “Jerusalem means death.” “Five loaves will be plenty.” “Am I doing your will?” “I need a weekend at Bethany.” “Father, I love them so much it hurts.”

Maybe, having “the mind of Christ” doesn’t mean a life without worry or earthly concerns. Maybe, it means believing that whatever happens to me today will be part of God’s plan to bless my life. Maybe, it means doing just what I can do in a day and knowing that God will take care of the rest. There is more, though. If I have the mind of Christ it is by way of grace and I become him only as much as I desire it to be so. To really have his mind, I must see the most difficult person as a child of God. I must never give up on anyone or fail to forgive. I must, ultimately, empty myself, like he did and open my arms to suffering and death. It is the gift of “his mind” that will enable this to happen in the life of every Christian – a gift given at Baptism that unfolds as we engage the mystery of faith. For right now? It is a great comfort to know that my thoughts – as ordinary as they are – are known to Christ. He knows what this journey is like and can strengthen me for any bump in the road. Now, that’s a lovely thought.

Blessings and love to you…
- Sister Vicki