Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois
July 2009
Benedictine Sisters monastery grounds at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill Steps
Discerning your path in life



Listening for the Whisper


To be a contemplative we must put down the cacophony of the world around us and go inside ourselves to wait for the God who is a whisper not a storm. Joan Chittister, OSB

Last month we made our annual summer retreat. Six days long and silent, we don't talk with one another unless there is an urgent need. We don't watch TV or movies. Instead, we attend conferences with our retreat director (this year, that was Dan Ward, OSB, a canon lawyer whose presentations were on the Rule), read spiritual books, walk in nature and spend time in prayer and contemplation of God. We listen for the Divine.

As contemplatives, we naturally prize silence and seek it at other times as well. Once a month, for instance, we have a "prayer day," during which we are quiet from dawn until mid-afternoon (July 1st is this month's prayer day).

"I love prayer day," Postulant Nancy Offenhiser says. "I'm a chatterbox, but I have a deeply quiet side. The whole monastery is quiet, which is conducive to prayer and meditation."

Sr. Sheila McGrath says Prayer Day gives one a chance to "get off the treadmill" for a while.

"Prayer Day gives you a chance to sit and read, and spend extra time in Chapel," she says. "It's a chance to walk around the lake and be in nature, which is another form of prayer. There's a solidarity, too, with one another. We are all in the same mode."

Sr. Mary Jean Feeney, who celebrated her 70th jubilee this year (and still works for our retreat center), says Prayer Day is part of the "rhythm of our lives." Not only do we observe silence on Prayer Day, she notes, but we do so each morning until after 8 am Mass, as well. 

"We can get caught up in the hubbub just like anyone else," she says. "Silence helps you evaluate how things are going, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It helps you keep your bearings."

It is there, where we keep our bearings, that we can "wait for the God who is a whisper not a storm."


Jackie is received into Benedictine Novitiate

From our blog: Jackie's ceremony followed our retreat week.  See the video!
To see more photos, visit our Facebook page!


Novice Nancy Offenhiser reflects as she looks out on the water at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illiniois
 
Prayer is Primary...

We pray together
and alone
in the morning...
at noon...
and at night.

To learn more about our prayerful and joyful way of life in community, contact Sister Bobbi Bussan (below) to learn more!


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Benedictine vocation director Sr. Bobbi Bussan, OSBTo give you a chance to learn about Benedictine Sisters and our way of life, we welcome you for a visit. Call (309) 283-2300 or e-mail Sr. Bobbi to set up a good  time. Or join us for a Benedictine Experience for two or three days - your choice! - any time from June 29th to July 10th. No matter when you come, there is no cost to you. We look forward to a morning, evening, weekend or week with you! And visit our Web site at www.smmsisters.org.