Let us pray for our future Sisters and Nuns that they, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, will trust in their own annunciation of being called to a religious professions. That they will not fear what they do not know, will bear in holy confidence whatever befalls, and that they bring into our world the Light of Christ brought forth through Mary. In Jesus name we pray, amen. Read more
Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, who have entrusted your work of redemption to the priests, who take your place on earth, I offer you, through the hands of your most holy Mother, for the sanctification of your priests and future priests this whole day, all my prayers, works, joys, sacrifices and sufferings. Give us saintly priests. Grant to them apostolic hearts, filled with love for you and all the souls belonging to you, so that, being themselves sanctified in you, they... Read more
I am always eager for Lent to begin, literally so for the lengthening of days, and also for the increase of Light in my soul. It was during those holy weeks before Easter that significant life changes occurred. The most recent event was becoming a Benedictine oblate. In years past my offerings to God were challenging but not too hard to fulfill. I loved to pray, so doing more increased peace. Sharing is part of my nature, and charitable donations... Read more
Dear Lord we pray, Guard your Sisters and Nuns in your unceasing mercy, and since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall, may they be kept from all harm by your constant help, and be directed to all that brings salvation. We ask this in Jesus name, amen. Read more
My final oblation was at hand. That night at vespers I would lay my heart and all my will upon the altar. My joy was boundless and barely kept in check. I cried as I prayed lauds, overwhelmed with love. I wanted desperately to commit “for the rest of my life” to service of God and neighbor. Three hours before vespers Fr. John heard my confession. I know myself well—when anxious I fall mute—and had spent time writing out my... Read more
O Jesus, Good Shepherd, raise up in all parish communities, priests and deacons, religious, consecrated lay people and missionaries according to the needs of the whole world, which you love and want to save. We entrust to you in a particular way our parish community; create in it the spiritual atmosphere of the first Christians in order that it may be a cenacle of prayer where we lovingly receive the Holy Spirit and his gifts. Assist our pastors and all... Read more
It was the weekend before I was to make my final profession as a Benedictine Oblate. I wanted to honor St. Benedict in a personal way and created this soup as a briw. In Old English the briw was the evening meal of soup or broth—a lighter fare, with the heavier meal consumed in the middle of the day. The Benedictines had attached to their hermitages small plots called le jardin potager in which they grew an assortment of herbaceous... Read more
Beloved Mother Mary, we ask that you enter the hearts of our Sisters and Nuns and console them in their sickness. Give them strength to face the sicknesses that pierce our bodies: cancers, viruses, the diseases of heart and lungs. Give them courage to face the illnesses that impair our minds and rob us of thought: Alzheimer, strokes, and others that diminish our ability to perceive the world. In their time of physical trials there may be fear, resentments, confusion... Read more
Look kindly Lord, on your priests, religious and laymen who left all to witness to your word and your love. Be to each one of them a “powerful protector and their strong support, their shade from the midday sun, their shelter from the desert wind, a guard against stumbling, an assurance against a fall…” (Ecc 34:19). Sustain them in difficult moments, direct their strength, console their hearts and crown their works with spiritual victories. Let them not seek for earthly... Read more
Nine months before my final profession as a Benedictine Oblate, I began the search for the crucifix I would wear for the rest of my life—the crucifix that would accompany me into the grave. Growing up I had always wanted to be a nun, not a Sister. I ached to be a nun who wore a habit and lived a cloistered life at a monastery with a garden and maybe cows. Definitely chickens. Better yet to be a nun working a... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In