Thu 30 Jun, 2011

Benedictine Sister enjoys Adoration speaking tour

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Sister Joan

Writing a book led to a special journey in May for Benedictine Sister Joan Ridley, OSB – a trip that led her home.

After the release of her book, “In the Presence: The Spirituality of Eucharistic Adoration,” she was invited to speak at a variety of locations throughout Louisiana where Sister Joan spent many years in mission work before joining the Benedictine Sisters.

“Some friends invited me to lead a morning of prayer in Lake Charles for associate members of their religious community, and it grew from there,” Sister Joan said.

Over the course of eight days, Sister Joan spoke on the topic of “Adoration and Monastic Life” to monks at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington. She also visited the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center in New Orleans to present “Adoration and the Eucharistic Mission” and spoke about Eucharistic adoration at several parishes in the Lafayette and Houma-Thibodaux dioceses.

“Eucharistic prayer and adoration is growing among the people everywhere,” Sister Joan said. “Anything I can do to foster that is a privilege and a joy. A number of people assisted in that effort in a wonderful way.”

More information about Sister Joan’s book can be found at the Benedictine Sisters’ online store at www.monasterycreations.com.

Fri 4 Mar, 2011

How to pray in a contemplative way

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‘In Roman Catholic tradition, we reserve the Blessed Sacrament in a tabernacle…God is present everywhere, yet specific holy places are important—places where God’s extended or universal presence in all creation becomes perceptible to us. The tabernacle is a point of permanent contact with the Sacred. Like Jacob’s ladder (see Genesis 28:12), it joins heaven and earth. Heaven is not so much a place as it is God’s transcendent realm penetrating our world—most intensely where the risen Christ is present in the praying and celebrating community—in the sacraments, the Eucharist, and acts of selfless love.’  - Sister Joan Ridley OSB, ‘In the Presence: The Spirituality of Eucharistic Adoration’

Recently, a woman on Twitter told us she planned to spend more time in contemplative prayer and personal reflection as part of her Lenten promise. What a wonderful idea!

Here are some things to think about (courtesy of Sister Joan and Sister Lenora): Prayer has many modes. Many of the active or mixed forms of prayer are very familiar: Liturgy of the Hours, Sacraments, Rosary, Litanies. Adoration is a contemplative form of prayer and serves to balance them. Where do you individually find a contemplative balance? What is your experience of presence in prayer? When are you most present? When are you most aware of God’s presence?

Remember, one doesn’t need a complicated plan to practice adoration or contemplative prayer. St. Benedict tells us to listen with the ear of our heart. Enjoy the silence around you. Open your heart. The words will come.

For example…

Prayer for My Own and Others’ Needs

For those I love and for whom I am in some way responsible, I pray to you, Lord.

For those who have helped me in any way and who deserve my gratitude, I pray to you, Lord.

For those whom I have hurt or disliked or injured in any way, I pray to you, Lord.

That I may lead a truly Christian life, I pray to you, Lord.

That my work, my plans and my way of life may never separate me for you, I pray to you, Lord.

For all those in danger, trouble or need, I pray to you, Lord.

For all young people and all old people, I pray to you, Lord.

For all leaders that they may be honest and wise, I pray to you, Lord.

For justice, mercy and peace among all peoples and nations, I pray to you, Lord.

For all who have lost heart because of so much evil in the world, I pray to you, Lord.

For all bishops, priests and religious, that their lives may show you forth, I pray to you, Lord.

For all those who mourn, for the suffering, the ill and the homeless, I pray to you, Lord.

For the poor, the oppressed and the dying, I pray to you, Lord.

Wed 23 Feb, 2011

Sister Joan on Radio Maria

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Sister Joan

Join us tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 24) as Sister Joan Ridley appears on Radio Maria’s “The Good News Hour” at 11 a.m. (CST) to discuss her vocation story and her book, “In the Presence: The Spirituality of Eucharistic Adoration.”

You can listen to the broadcast online by going to Radio Maria and clicking on the “Listen Live” icon.

Sister Joan lives at our Tucson, Arizona, monastery and serves as subprioress for the community.