Lenten Wednesdays

A panel from the Bishop Martin
Marty stained glass windows
depicting the Sister's works.

  Greetings,

The Monastery always has meat free meals on Fridays, both in and out of Lent.  However, the Rule of Benedict reminds the monks and nuns that we are called to more sacrifice in Lent, "During these days, therefore, let us increase somewhat the usual burden of our service, as by private prayers and by abstinence in food and drink" Chapter 49.

This leads to our Wednesday meals during Lent.  On these days, the community shares an additional offering of abstinence from meat with fasting through simple fare at meals.  Last Wednesday, our lunch was a salad, potato pancakes, applesauce, and cheese slices.  I added peanut butter to my pancakes, but that was about the extent of the add-ons for the meal.  And yes, some of us were hungry before Vespers and supper, but that is part of the point.  Fasting aids prayer.  Supper last week was a bit more hearty with cheese tortellini soup with a variety of stewed vegetables, a bread filled with seeds, and cheese to carry us through the night.

The greatest aspect of fasting on our Lenten Wednesdays?  No pie.  Our long standing tradition at the monastery is pie baked fresh by our very own Sister Baker...apple, cherry, or apricot from our orchard...rhubarb, pumpkin, or gooseberry from our garden.  Sigh, it is going to be a long wait for Easter celebrations and pies on Wednesday.

Blessings,