Sum of it All

One of the yearly landmarks in the monastery is the great day of Job Changes!! This telling moment takes place early in the year after some serious efforts are made to get one’s ‘charges’ in order for the next Sister designated to that particular job. New assignments can be thrilling for some – the refectorian may be ecstatic to trade in setting tables every day for baking bread … or the laundry sister may happily exchange folding towels for dicing peaches in the canning room. Come what may, whether it’s continuing on in the same tasks, or being challenged with a whole new set of responsibilities, there is always something new to be learned and grace to carry on! There are of course supremely important things that do not change in the daily patterns of our day. Mass, adoration, spiritual reading – all these ‘activities’ are primary, and they are where one’s ‘learning experiences’ all begin.
St. Thomas Aquinas, whose feast is today (the 28^th!) is someone with incredible mental genius. This ability, surrendered to God in prayer and study, became a fantastic source of wisdom for the whole Church. His knowledge and insight seemingly spanning theology, has put into words and into beautiful hymns and prayers what the faithful have always believed. Though his intelligence may seem so far superior, one can, like him, come to know ‘the height and the length and the breadth of God’s love’ – these things he learned from the Crucified One. To study in search of the Truth Himself gradually opens the heart and mind more and more to realize as St. Thomas did, the greatness and the goodness of God. The more one comes to know about Him, the more it all comes clear (as it says in the book of Sirach) that: “The sum of all our words is: He is all.”

St. Thomas Aquinas : Short Prayer After Communion Sweetest Jesus, Body and Blood most holy, be the delight and pleasure of my soul, my strength and salvation in all temptations, my joy and peace in every trial, my light and guide in every word and deed, and my final protection in death. Amen.

Despite the Snow...

A recent meeting of PCPAs here at Our Lady of the Angels had some proof of God’s Divine Humor in the drama surrounding this event. We hardly could have guessed that a group of nuns traveling from the sunny deserts of Arizona & the warmth of Texas would have had their travel plans befuddled by a SNOWSTORM in (of all places) Alabama! Though snow delays are tidings of great joy amongst students and teachers - for nuns awaiting their long-distant Sisters, such anticipation is among the greatest of penances! To give the shortened version of the story… the Sisters finally arrived safe and sound to our great delight, and the meetings commenced!

Many exciting themes focusing on the core of our contemplative vocation coalesced during these four days of sharing amongst our ‘extended community’: PCPA identity, integrity, human development and flexibility were included in the discussions. Underlying and supporting these important ideas is the need to INSPIRE one another, or plainly put, good example. And there is only one source, one example – we look to Jesus Christ for our interior transformation. Franciscans like to keep things simple. A good formation plan (for anyone, really) begins with oneself. This is a life-long adventure (i.e. on-going formation) that is sure to be filled with laughter, tears, and the inspiring example from others who live their Vocations to the max - inside or outside the monastic grill! 2011has the new & fresh feel yet. Let us forge ahead with hope. We are in this race together.

Above is a shot of : Sr. St. John, Sr. Marie Andre (AZ), Sr. Gabriel & Sr. Fidelis(AZ) during a reprieve from the meetings.

http://desertnuns.blogspot.com/ for an glimpse at the Arizona nuns' story!

A Different Route

Epiphany at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery has a striking character; it is the day when we have our ‘house blessing.’ ‘Every heart’ here has striven to ‘prepare Him room,’ and every nun has cleaned her cell! Therefore it is a perfect time to join ‘heaven & nature’ in singing the glories of God and invoking the blessing of our newborn Savior. As prayers are prayed and carols sung through the hallways, the words of the Magi are apropos: “we have come to adore Him!” Like these noble men, countless Christians (and maybe you!) have sought out the Christ, have been led by the light of faith, and have found Him, not in a manger as they did, but abiding in the Eucharist. Such an encounter with God includes a call, an invitation. As Pope Benedict writes,

“’And they departed to their own country by another way" (Mt 2:12). The Gospel tells us that after their meeting with Christ, the Magi returned home "by another way". This change of route can symbolize the conversion to which all those who encounter Jesus are called, in order to become the true worshippers that He desires (cf Jn 4: 23-24)…Listening to Christ and worshipping Him leads us to make courageous choices ... Jesus is demanding, because He wishes our genuine happiness. …When we meet Christ and accept His Gospel, life changes and we are driven to communicate our experience to others.”

One such person who could perhaps identify with this call to live a life especially dedicated to God and His Gospel is our newest postulant, Sr. Christy. A bright new star in our midst, she entered on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2010! Thank you for keeping her in your prayers as her great journey begins! And thanks be to God for the grace He gives to men and women such as her to make ‘courageous choices’ on behalf of the Church! May you be blessed with a new encounter with the Word made Flesh this Epiphany!