According to St. Benedict, guests bring blessings of God and thus ought to be treated as Christ.

We recently re-opened our guesthouses after the renovations at our Clyde, Mo., monastery and have been blessed to offer hospitality to several guests.

We were especially grateful for our ability to give hospitality to Sister Andrea from Maria Rickenbach, our founding house in Switzerland.

 

Sister Andrea (center) visits with (from left) Sister Cathleen Marie, Sister Rebecca, Sister Andrea’s cousin, and Sister Cheryl.

Sister Andrea was the mother superior there for 18 years. This trip to the United States was for a celebration of another founding in Arkansas.

 

Sister Andrea (left) and Emilie

 

Before they returned to Europe, Sister Andrea and her cousin, Emilie, spent several days with us. Emilie has visited the United States before, but this was her first trip to Clyde. She shared several wonderful stories of their homeland and acted as interpreter for us.

It was a short visit, and we all were sad to see it end. Until we see them again, may God hold them in the palm of his hand.