Chapter Deliberation and Celebration

Greetings,

Phew!  The past weekend was a flurry of work, prayer, and play.  The monastery convened our third Chapter Meetings of the year, usually held in late July or early August, to discuss important financial, community, and spiritual matters.

Lauds preceded a full day of meetings on Friday including all 102 of us gathering for a new family photo.  The last session of discussion was wrapped up early to prepare for our final Jubilee celebration of the year.  The Diamond Jubilarians celebrating 60, 70, and even 80 years were honored during the community Mass.  The celebrants then lead the procession from Chapel to dining room to continue with supper together.

Saturday's meetings were also quite full; however, the to come evening was the focus for many of us.  The Chapter Meeting concluded with a prayer and commissioning by the prioress.  During the prayer, each sister was called forward by the Procurator, blessed by the Prioress, and greeted by the subPrioress with a holy card to remind the sister of her commission throughout the year.  The call for the year is...

"Rooted Together in Christ we Participate in God's Mystery Unfolding"

Sisters are commissioned to many works and services to the Church and people of God...most importantly, our call to prayer.

The Chapter celebrations continued on Sunday evening with Postulant Peggy being received into the Novitiate during Vespers.  After a reading from the Rule of Benedict, the Prioress called Peggy forward as the community chanted, "Come, children, hear Me:  I will teach you the fear of the Lord."  The Prioress then set forth the goals and challenges that Peggy would meet during the upcoming year, asking her if she was resolved to enter the Novitiate.  The Novitiate Director then came forward to both present Novice Peggy with the Rule of Benedict and receive her into her care.  What followed after Vespers?
More celebrating over supper!

What can be sweeter to us than the voice of the Lord inviting us? Behold in His loving kindness, the Lord shows us the way to life.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love God with all your soul.

What can be sweeter to us than the voice of the Lord inviting us? Behold in His loving kindness, the Lord shows us the way to life.

You who desire life, listen to My words;
fulfill them without delay.

What can be sweeter to us than the voice of the Lord inviting us?
Behold in His loving kindness, the Lord shows us the way to life.

Zealously let us love; 
always preferring nothing at all to Christ.

Blessings,