This
weekend, at St. Benedict’s Monastery at Bristow, Virginia, we had three big
celebrations. On Saturday morning, one
of the sisters made her final profession. On Sunday morning, another sister
renewed her profession, and during evening prayer, we had a woman entering as a
postulate and another one as a novitiate.
What beautiful ceremonies!
The Sunday
evening prayer started at the gathering place, where members of the community
stood and waited for the postulate to knock on the door. S. Cecilia, the prioress, opened the door for
her and asked that she introduces her guests and responds to the question of
what it is the postulate was seeking.
The same question was asked of the novitiate. Both women were welcome into the community.
What a wonderful community these women were entering into!
On
Saturday, I was fortunate enough to experience the love, the compassion, and
the respect that the sisters have for each other, for their friends, and their
guests. As S. Mary was making her final vows, God’s presence was truly felt.
This is certainly true when I saw S. Mary kneeling with her arms open and each
sister was going one-by-one to offer her blessings and a kiss. Tears were rolling down my face when I saw S.
Mary got up to kneel in front of the fours sisters who were unable to walk down
the aisle to ask them for their blessings. One could clearly see the wisdom,
the care, and the respect that the sisters have for each other. Their relationship with one another (and
their guests) is undeniably an example of what Christ asks of us when he asks
us to welcome all people as we would have welcome him (Matt 25:35). I am very
fortunate to call myself a member of this community for at least a year.
As for me,
the hospitality in which I have been embraced is immeasurable. Although it can be hard to be the “new one,”
I already feel at home here. All of the
sisters have taken me under their wings. Slowly, but surely, I am learning my
way around. Since a sophomore at St.
Ben’s, I felt a call to serve with the Benedictine sisters upon
graduation. I chose to answer that call
and it led me to serve at the BARN, BEACON, and living in community with the
sisters at Bristow, Virginia. I hope
that through the sharing of my gifts and my presence, I will be a host of
hospitality (and all that it encompasses) to those around me.
Until next time,
Christina
I am so glad your transition to your new home has been a good one. I will be praying for you as you continue to discover new friends and ways of serving.
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you, Christina! You have prayers coming from the Fremo house.
ReplyDeleteThank you David and Jan. I am very grateful for your prayers!
ReplyDelete