Entrance Ceremony - Postulants Susan Reuber and Gayla Aspromonte

Becoming Holy One Day at a Time

     Lent!  A time of change, a time of transformation.   Through our baptism we are called to put on Christ, to grow in holiness.  It is through making the changes we need to make in our lives that we slowly put on Christ.  We commit to do this during the forty days of Lent.   As the ashes were placed on our forehead we began this process of change with all the fervor we could muster.

           

     It is now a week or so since those ashes marked our brow and it might be that the fervor we had on Ash Wednesday has begun to fade.  We realize that putting on Christ, becoming holy is not an easy task or one that is done once and for all.  It is a daily and sometimes tedious task that demands attention, intention and sacrifice.  Maybe that is why St. Benedict reminds us that we must “not aspire to be called holy before we really are, but first be holy so that we may truly be called so.”  Daily we must pay attention to our lives and with deep intention choose the way that leads to holiness.  Of course the path of holiness demands sacrifice but this sacrifice leads to fullness of life.             

     The Lenten journey we have started still has weeks to go and it is easy to be overwhelmed by the expanse of the journey. Yet, as we move forward, we move forward with Christ who teaches us what it means to grow in holiness.  Becoming holy happens one day at a time.  Let us continue on the Lenten journey that will take us more deeply into the love of Christ.

Epiphany

Thought I'd share an Epiphany poem.   It is written by Sr. Mary Margaret Funk


Epiphany shows a sleepy world that Christmas
is not stillborn
or a crib feast to remain in gift shops
and cultural miniatures.


Epiphany is a bold eastern feast of
symbol and connectedness
to Christ's ongoing life of preaching and healing.


Though gifts were brought, the favor sought was peace
before nations began to dominate.


We kneel today; homage is fitting.
One star more than galaxies enlightens us:
Born is the Christ.

Journeying Toward Christmas - O Antiphons

    As we celebrate the fourth week of Advent, we journey closer to the birth of the Christ Child.  On the 17th of December we begin singing the O Antiphons at Evening Prayer.  Each evening we sing one of the antiphons to remind us remind us of who Christ is.

O Wisdom reminds us that Christ is the Word of God through whom all things are created.

O Adonai calls upon the Lord who spoke from the Burning Bush, telling Moses to lead his people to freedom.

O Root of Jesse speaks of Christ, born of the line of David; God born into the human family.

O Key of David refers to Christ who has the power to open all the prisons we find ourselves in, and to lock away all things that hinder us in our journey to God.

O Rising Dawn is the promise that even in our darkest times, Christ the Light of the World will shine forth.

O King of Nations looks forward to Christ's reign of justice and peace.

O Emmanuel brings us to Bethlehem, to that moment in history when Christ became a human being.

   

Beginning the Monastic Journey

Susan being welcomed as a
Postulant by our Prioress,
Sr. Juliann Babcock

Our new postulant, Susan Rakers sends out an email (postcard) every so often letting her friends know about her life as a postulant at Our Lady of Grace.  I was particularly struck by this one and so we thought we'd share it with you.

For this reason prayer ought to be short and pure, unless, perhaps it is lengthened by the inspiration of divine grace. At the community exercises, however, let the prayer always be short, and the sign having been given by the Superior, let all rise together.
(RB 20)

As I got ready for bed this Monday night, I was a little bit sore. I had been physically active during the last few days. I helped setup and take down a benefit fashion show and luncheon to support the retreat center, Benedict Inn. I went to clean the house that I have up for sale in Fishers, IN. On Monday morning, I was gathering and doing laundry for housekeeping.

Just as I have been physically active, I have been exercising some new and rusty spiritual muscles.  As I mention in my previous postcard, Postulancy is like being at base camp for a long mountain climbing expedition. One focus at base camp is physical training. For me and my fellow climbers (the Sisters), it is Cross training, spiritual exercising or prayer.

Daily, as a community, we have Morning and Evening prayer (Lauds and Vespers) along with Mass. There is also Mid-Day prayer on weekdays and Saturday before lunch. They are scheduled team practices where we support each other by our presence and praying in one voice.  Everyone also does private weight lifting training.  I do night prayer (Compline) on my own which includes an exam of conscience.  Individually (but sometimes as a group ), we do Lectio Divina or reflective Scripture reading.  That is a postcard in itself.  I also take some time to reflect each morning and night in my room or cell.

As we are strengthening our relationship with God, we are also praying for our benefactors, family, friends and the cares of the world.  Prayer builds that faith and trust in God or those anchors and lines that I mention in my first postcard.

Peace,

Postulant Susan Rakers

P.S.

Wednesday, I had my baptism of flour from the industrial size mixer in the kitchen as I was trying to making a large batch of Snickerdoodle cookies.  I learned not to try mixing in 22 cups of flour all at once. It took me a half of an hour to clean up the mess. 

September Growth!

September has been a wonderful month as we celebrated with two wonderful women who both happen to be called SUSAN!

On September 7th, Susan Rakers entered Our Lady of Grace Monastery.  Following Evening Prayer, the community gathered in the narthex of the chapel to welcome Susan as a postulant.  Standing in front of the statue of Our Lady of Grace Susan received a copy of the Rule of Benedict and the Office Books that she will use for prayer everyday.  After a prayer of blessing, each member of community came forward to welcome Susan.  It was a great day for Susan and for our community.

On September 28th, Susan Reuber was received as an affiliate of our community.  During this time she will continue to discern her call to our community and complete the requirements for entrance into our community.  Before Evening Prayer, the community gathered in the lobby of our monastery to welcome Susan.  

Please pray for Postulant Susan Rakers and Affiliate Susan Reuber as they continue to journey along the monastic way.  We also ask your prayers for vocations to our community so that we might continue to share the Benedictine way with the Church and our world.

Fall is upon our grove!

The season of Fall is upon us. Our grove is showing signs of letting go as some trees are beginning to lose their green. Outside my office window I have the view of a tree that is already turning red. What a sight and what a spiritual lesson on letting go. Here's a photo of our cemetery last Fall.