Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

On display in the reading room of the Clyde monastery are two books. One includes entries for each Sister’s birthday for the current month. The other details the lives of Sisters who passed on a day during that same month.

It’s a joy to stop and read from the first book, to see photographs of smiling Sisters who are a vital part of the Congregation today.

But it’s even more interesting to read entries from the second book, the necrology of all those who answered God’s call and lived their lives devoted to their faith. This set of books includes all the Sisters who have gone before us, with entries and photographs dating back to the late 1800s.

Sister Mary Catherine Reuter

For example, on today’s date, honored is Sister Mary Catherine Reuter who passed on Oct. 14, 1944. By reading the chronicle we learn she was born to German parents and “a tiny person, full of energy and a diligent worker, neat and orderly, very faithful to duty.” She became a postulant in 1885. “She was greatly devoted to prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament….She was always cheerful and loved to sing. In later years one would often find her standing on a chair before the Blessed Virgin statue in the community room, singing the Salve Regina.”

Sister Mary Augustine Finken

Also noted is Sister Mary Augustine Finken who passed on this date in 2000. During her years as a Benedictine Sister, she helped found our San Diego monastery and was instrumental in beginning the oblate program there. “During her many years of illness,” the chronicle reads, “Sister Augustine maintained her sense of humor and never lost her wit. When asked, ‘Sister, are you all right?’ she replied, ‘No, I’m half left!’….She delighted to see others smile and laugh. She was known for her thoughtful acts of kindness and brought happiness to others.”

It is these stories, these glimpses into the past that help keep us connected to the wonderfully strong women who came before us, those who blazed the trail and for whom we continue the journey today.

The Dayton community's beautiful new sign

Thanks to the generosity of friends, our San Benito Monastery has a new sign.

The San Benito Monastery in Dayton, Wyo.,  is home to Monastery Creations, the Benedictine Sisters’ handcrafted soap and lotion business, and is a haven for those seeking quiet retreat time among the foothills of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains.

A worn glove displays the work our crews put into the job at hand

Those allowed to walk through the work site are apt to see signs of work besides piles of bricks, concrete and lots of nail-ridden lumber.

A broken hammer is no match for this project

There is evidence of the hard work that is ongoing.  I am grateful that God has cooled the days down, and the wind is but a breeze most days.

A glimpse of the inside of the removed cupola

God created beauty and gave us eyes to see it wherever we can.

One cannot help but see the brilliant trees ablaze with golden hues and red splashes.  My camera captured some man-made beauty at the work site.  It was an added blessing in a place where dust and dirt reign.

Tin ceiling tapestry

On the spiritual journey, the inner work – the work done in prayer with grace – is the most important work, the primal work of a seeker’s life.

This project has taken on that same inner work aspect.

Working on stairs to the attic

The inside of the remainder of the building will be transformed as well as the outside when the entire project is complete.

The vestry is ready for remodeling

As God creates splashes of fall colors and deep blue skies outside, the work crews are busy inside readying spaces for remodeling.

The courtyard is revealed

After decades of being enclosed, our courtyard is now open! As crews break through and tear down the southern walls, the green lawn of the courtyard is exposed.

This gives a small glimpse of what the front of the renovated monastery will look like since the southern portion will not be rebuilt. Instead, what once bordered the north courtyard will be reworked to greet visitors to our new monastery.

Members of our Tucson monastery recently assisted with a bilingual discernment retreat hosted by the diocese on Sept. 25 at the Bishop Moreno Pastoral Center.

Sister Lupita Barajas, OSB, Sister Lynn Marie D’Souza, OSB and Postulant Erma Relunia helped with the day-long event presented by the Diocese of Tucson’s Women Religious Vocations. Thirty-two girls and women, ranging in age from 14 to 42, spent the day learning about the call to religious life, the longing to make Jesus’ mission her own, community life and about married, single and religious vocations.

“The retreat was an undeniable success,” Sister Lynn remarked. “They eagerly and enthusiastically participated in sharing and talks and asked insightful questions. There was much hope kindled as we saw so many young women sincerely seeking to know God’s will for their lives.”

The diocese will hold a similar retreat in December. For more information about vocations with the Benedictine Sisters, please contact Sister Ruth Elaine Starman, OSB at (660) 944-2221 or vocation@benedictinesisters.org or click here.

Fall colors are slowly arriving

The mornings are cooler, and the leaves are beginning to glow brilliant oranges and reds – yes, fall has arrived here in northwest Missouri.

Crews continue to clear out the interior of the Marian Wing now that the roof has been removed. The cooler days should make their job a bit more bearable.

Sister Becky has her hands full with Caeil (left) and Maggie

Also enjoying the wonderful weather are our canine companions, Caeli and Maggie. Yesterday was the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. We are so blessed to have such beautiful dogs to share our lives with. They bring us much laughter and joy.

Low-gluten altar breads

Congratulations to our dear friend, Joslyn Ramey, who has learned that one of her photographs will be featured in the December/January 2011 issue of “Living Without” magazine, a publication for people with allergies and food sensitivities.

We met Joslyn a few years ago when she became a patron of our low-gluten altar breads. We featured her in an article written for “Special Food Groups magazine,” for which she took pictures of our breads.

You can view more of Joslyn’s photos here.