Dear Lord, We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with... Read more
The fragrance this morning from the small upper meadow was amazing! One of the volunteers snagged the camera and caught me coming back from checking on the Ratibida columnifera that was introduced two summers ago (its the tall yellow prairie coneflower). Why yes, I am wearing my favorite gardening t-shirt from Elizabeth… (Images courtesy of Anne Davich, Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB. All rights reserved.) Read more
For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair. ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh (Why Equus Passage) Read more
As long as nobody’s watching, I’ll dance. Don’t for a minute imagine that I’m a “good” dancer. The simple truth is I can’t not move to music. It began before I was a year old. My grandmother said if music was on I would wiggle and sway when I crawled, when laid in the crib, or when being fed—with arms outstretched and fingers waggling. As soon as I could stand my Irish grandfather would take my hand and, with me holding... Read more
My God, I pray for all your priests and beseech you to sanctify them. Let them love their sacrifice deeply so that they may live it lovingly. I beg you, grant them obedience, a spirit of detachment, a chastity which is constant and true, a spirit of self-denial, humility, sweetness, zeal and dedication. I beg you that all those who may approach them may leave them with a greater love for you. My God, I pray that through them your... Read more
We are all on a journey, mine is as a Benedictine Oblate. Not until a friend, Elizabeth Scalia, said “Go, look here…” did I find this path to becoming more of who I am. The following quote sets well: A mature contemplative is far more simple than any child or any novice, because theirs is more or less a negative simplicity–the simplicity of those in whom potential complications have not yet had a chance to develop. But in the contemplative,... Read more
My grandmother passed away over a decade ago, but she gave me a bit of a nudge last Friday. I’d been doing small bursts of gardening over ten days and over did it. The doctor said ice, meds, and bed rest…I ended up being flat-out for four days. I felt perkier by Friday. Mid-morning I moseyed out the back door to look at my single ‘Champion’ tomato plant. I laugh at myself and my one good plant…I fuss so over... Read more
On the memorial of St. Benedict, this prayer prayed in our time could have as easily been prayed in his: Father, be with the leaders of your flock in their needs today. Help your Bishops and priests to interpret the Gospel message with clarity and urgency, witnessing in their own lives to the teaching and example of Christ. Fortify and encourage those among them who are fearful and confused; be truly a Father to those who have fallen away. Bless... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
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