The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

These outdoor, tile-mosaic Stations of the Cross were designed
by our own Artisan Sisters of the Monastery.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and uttered no cry. When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was a ssigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.  Isaiah 53: 7-9

Jesus said, "So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to one who was paralyzed--"I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home."  Luke 5: 24

Lauds of the Feast of Benedict



A statue commemorating the death of St. Benedict
in the courtyard at Monte Cassino,
the place of his holy death.

"Venite! Come, O sons and daughters of God! Come and follow me, I will teach you the way of Life. Venite!"
~Benedictus Antiphon at Lauds

Now we have written this Rule inorder that by its observance in monasteries we may show that we have attained some degree of virtue and the rudiments of the religious life. But for those who would hasten to the perfection of that life there are the teaching of the holy Fathers, the observance of which leads to the height of perfection....

...Whoever you are, therefore, who are hastening to the heavenly homeland, fulfill with the help of Christ
this minimum Rule which we have written for beginners; and then at length under God's protection
you will attain to the loftier heights of doctrine and virtue which we have mentioned above. RB 73

Eve of the (March) Feast of Benedict

Saint Benedict, framed by angels, above the altar in his cell
at his monastery, Monte Cassino.

Greetings,

Tonight, we begin our celebration of Saint Benedict, by commemorating his death we celebrate his life in Christ.  At our Monastery, this Eve of the Feast is celebrated with chanted Vespers.  The Lenten purple will not be completely shaken off for this feast.  However, a more festive joy in the day will pervade our Liturgy of the Hours, Mass, and community meals. 

"Come let us join with the angels and saints in offering thanks and praise to the Lord on this the solemnity of our Father Benedict."  Vespers Antiphon on the Eve of the Feast

The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus



These outdoor, tile-mosaic Stations of the Cross were designed
by our own Artisan Sisters of the Monastery.

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; for he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.  Sirach 6: 14-17

Jesus said, "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him."  John 4: 23

The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His Cross



These outdoor, tile-mosaic Stations of the Cross were designed
by our own Artisan Sisters of the Monastery.

With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord; with a loud voice I beseech the Lord. My complaint I pour out before him; before him I lay bare my distress. When my spirit is faint within me, you know my path. In the way along which I walk they have hid a trap for me. I look to the right to see, but there is no one who pays me heed. I have lost all means of escape; there is no one who cares for my life.  Psalm 141: 2-5

Jesus said, "Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."  Luke 6: 30-31

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,

The Fourth Station: Jesus meets His Afflicted Mother

These outdoor, tile-mosaic Stations of the Cross were designed
by our own Artisan Sisters of the Monastery.

To what can I compare you, O daughter Jerusalem? What example can I show you for your comfort, virgin daughter Sion? For great as the sea is your distress; who can heal you?  Lamentations 2, 13

Jesus said, " Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."  Matthew 12: 48-50

Our Lenten Prayer

Greetings,

The Monastery Peace Chapel

 
 The season of Lent 'colors' many aspects of our Sisters' lives at the Monastery.  Both the Bishop Martin Marty Chapel and the Peace Chapel are very simply decorated for Lent.  The Peace Chapel, our main prayer space for the Liturgy of the Hours and weekday Mass has a few drapes of purple, simple altar candles, and the Sister's Lenten intentions. 

These resolutions or intentions were placed before the altar on Ash Wednesday and will remain there throughout all the Lenten season, a reminder of what each of the Sisters has resolved to do in continuing to develop her relationship with God and community.

Lent in the Monastery has much to do with attentive quiet or silence.  Our morning silence is extended through breakfast. Sisters on their way to prayer or an early breakfast greet each other with a smile or bow of the head in the hallways; in a simple way, acknowledging Christ in each other.  Even the music of our prayer during this time is subdued.  We continue to chant our hymns and closing Canticles, but the tones are simple.  This year, our Prioress has also added an intentional prayer at the end our Lauds and Vespers.  After the Prioresses final blessing at prayer, the Sisters silently pray for all those discerning God's call in their lives.

In the quiet of our Lent, be assured of our prayers for you.

Blessings,

The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

These outdoor, tile-mosaic Stations of the Cross were designed
by our own Artisan Sisters of the Monastery.

Why are your clothes red, and your garments like those of the wine presser? "The wine press I have trodden alone, and of my people there was no one with me. I looked about, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend support; so my own arm brought about the victory." Isaiah 63: 2-5

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11: 28-29

The Second Station: Jesus takes up His Cross

These outdoor, tile-mosaic Stations of the Cross were designed
by our own Artist Sisters of the Monastery.

Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearingn to make us look at him, no appearance that would attract us to him. He was rejected and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men turn away, and we held him in no esteem. Isaiah 53: 1-3

Jesus said, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."
Matthew 10: 38-39