Rebecca Spanier's friends
thought it was "strange" when she decided to spend 3 weeks at a monastery. But
that is one of the most common reactions to a woman's desire to explore
religious life ... and one that anyone might expect of college students.
In fact, religious life is
radically counter-cultural. Turning away from material possessions, the bar
scene and the corporate model of success for a lifelong journey with others who
are committed to seeking God together is, in our culture, really strange!
But Rebecca - a Cornell
College* junior from St. Cloud, Minn. - was pulled by a strong desire to learn
more. So she, as college student
Anna Sewell before her, made
arrangements for a 3-week immersion project with the
Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery. She agreed to answer some questions about the experience as she completed her
stay in late February.
What surprised you the most?
I had been a bit apprehensive
about how the Sisters would react to seeing a random student show up, but I
found everyone here incredibly welcoming. They didn't care why I was here. They
just wanted to get to know me.
Also, I had expected
monastery life to be like a constant retreat, but found out it is as busy as my
life at school! The Sisters have jobs that can be hectic. It's not an escape
from the world. But no matter what,
they make time for prayer.
What did you do while you
were here?
During the first week, I did
a lot of reading and settling in. But then I had a bit of a routine. I went to
prayers, of course, and did
Lectio Divina with Sr. Mary Core every day. I took piano
lessons and music theory from Sr. Mary Jane Wallace. I practiced my flute and
played it at Sunday Mass. I worked in the
retreat house, setting up and helping
serve coffee during the Valentine's Day married couples program. I got to know
the Sisters.
What did you learn?
I'm really soul searching,
discerning my life's path. I used to be so sure that I would be a high school
religion teacher, but I don't know anymore. Sr. Charlotte Sonneyville told me
God's call starts out as a subtle attraction to something. Eventually, it
becomes more of a gentle nudge in your heart. That was important for me to
hear.
The Sisters helped me think
of different ways to use my religion major. They gave me some idea of what
working for the Church could mean for me. I've always been attracted to
nursing, so Sr. Sheila McGrath suggested hospital chaplaincy as a way to
combine it with religion. Sr. Catherine Cleary suggested campus ministry, which
I think I would really love.
I learned a lot about getting
myself centered and calmed in the midst of a busy and hectic life, and making
the space for God to move me or speak to me. The Sisters do that. They have
their hands full, but everyone makes the time to go together to prayer. I'm
going to take that with me: finding time for prayer.
How did the experience change
you?
I think I learned to have an
open heart. A compassionate heart. It's amazing how much Sisters care about
every living person, and I think some of that rubbed off.
I used to
want to be a Sister
when I grew up, and it's still possible. I'm open to it. Maybe God is calling
me to this, I don't know.
I will miss the Sisters and the constant
prayer routine. It was an absolutely wonderful experience!
Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, provides students with a block system that allows immersion projects such as Rebecca's stay at St. Mary Monastery.