Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

Our foundress, Mother Mary Anselma

Today is the Feast Day of St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury who died in 1109. He is credited as the father of scholastic theology and established the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

It was our own founder, Mother Mary Anselma Felber, who we credit with our Benedictine roots in America. She joined five Sisters from Maria Rickenback Convent in Switzerland to establish our monastery in Clyde, Mo.

She was chosen as superior at the tender age of 30. Learn more about her life and contributions to our Congregation by visiting our History page.

Today is not just Labor Day, it’s the anniversary of our founding in America! Learn more about our founder, Mother Mary Anselma Felber by clicking here.

Our Sister Sarah wrote today on her blog, Bible Bytes:

Today, Sept. 5, our Congregation observes Founders Day, marking the day in 1874 when five Benedictine Sisters arrived in Missouri, exchanging the mountains of Switzerland for the rolling hills of northwest Missouri. We remember their stories, passed over the generations.  Our older sisters, our saints, modeled our charism for those who followed after them.  We pray that we may continue to spread the message of Christ’s love through our monastic lives and our practice of Eucharistic adoration.  Numbers may decline and forms may change, but that message endures.

Want to learn more about the Bible’s untold stories? Check Sister Sarah’s blog each Monday for a new lesson. This week’s offering is about Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and why she is a good role model.

In the past, we have shared small passages taken from the letters of our foundress, Mother Mary Anselma Felber, written more than a century ago.

Here are a few more, proving that yesterday’s words still have meaning today.

“I have more results with patience and prayer than with words.”

“Our Lord wants a free, not a forced sacrifice.”

“Then I tell myself: Don’t worry! Give yourself totally to God! He will be your All in All! You have sacrificed yourself to Him – don’t take it back!”

“Our Lord makes me know myself; I find I have much to improve.”

The world is a turbulent place…but as many things change, we understand that many more stay the same.

That rings true when we read through the letters of our foundress, Mother Mary Anselma. This small tidbit, written more than 100 years ago, still speaks to our hearts:

“I cannot tell you anything about my soul today, only that I feel quiet and happy like a child in his mother’s arms. Our Lord is merciful with his poor beggar child.”

We pray that all can experience this. That it is not about having the most or acquiring the best. True contentment lies in heartfelt simplicity.

Today’s offering taken from the letters of our foundress, Sister Mary Anselma, which she penned 130 years ago:

“My many sins make me despondent. But God’s mercy is infinitely great. He does not reject the poorest sinner.”

Words of wisdom from the letters of our foundress Mother Mary Anselma:

‘This giving away of ourselves is just the essence of sanctity and of the pure love of God for which we all have to strive.’

Learn more about our foundress and how her words still speak to us 135 years later.

Our foundress, Mother Mary Anselma Felber

More than 135 years after Mother Mary Anselma helped found our community, the words in her letters still have the power to transform our spirit by her faith, hope and love of God. She, along with her fellow pioneering Sisters, traveled from the mountains of Switzerland to the rural hills of the American Midwest during the rugged 1870′s.

They struggled to build a home, teach immigrants, learn English…all in a strange place. But with the love of God in their hearts they not only prevailed, they prospered. And it is that spirit of determination, that love of God above all else, that still inspires us today.

On occasion, we’ll share some of her thoughts. We hope they will inspire you as well…..

From her letters: ‘God sends trials, but grace as well, to accept all as it comes, though it may be hard…the Cross is the road to heaven.’