Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

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.

Join Sister Joan Ridley, OSB as she presents her book, “In the Presence: The Spirituality of Eucharistic Adoration,” throughout the wonderful state of Louisiana this month.

You can catch her at one of these speaking events:

May 3: “Adoration and Contemporary Monastic Life”  at St. Joseph Abbey, Saint Benedict  [private, for monks only]

May 4: 7 p.m.  “Adoration and the Eucharistic Mission,” Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, sponsored by the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center and the Office of Eucharistic Renewal.  [open to the public for a fee; call (504) 861-3254 for more info]

May 7,  Morning of prayer for associate members of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Covenant at St. Charles Retreat Center, Lake Charles   [private]

May 10, after 5:30 pm Mass, St. Bernard Parish, Breaux Bridge,  [open to the public]

May 11, after 5:30 pm Mass, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Houma  [open to the public]