It seems this week I am short on my own words and am drawn to lots of poetry and images I have been taking of spring. Part of it is that I have been feeling in a very reflective and inward mood, wanting to let things bubble inside of me, not quite ready to lay them out here. Besides, do I really need to say anything when the world is this beautiful?
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
On Imbolc and the Feast of St. Brigid* Spirit of Rebirth,your new life pulses below the rumbling ground.Attune our earsto the renewal taking formbeneath the winter earth,snowdrops and crocusesin white and purple-petaled wonder,hedgehogs and bearsbeginning to stir from sleep. Let Brigid be our guideas we
May 22–29, 2026 and September 4–11, 2026A few places remain Our good friends Nóirín Ní Riain and Owen and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin are once again offering in-person pilgrimages to Ireland. Rooted in music, poetry, story, and sacred landscape, these journeys invite participants into a slower, more attentive
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for JoRene Byers’ reflection and poem Bravely Done. I bow to the natural world in gratitude every day, my heart is continually humbled
8 Responses
Thanks Cathleen, I am definitly enjoying the pleasures of slowness and glad it comes through in my posts!
Awesome!!
And I feel your slower, intentional, taking-it-in and letting-it-flow-through-you pace in the beauty you share.
Blessings!
Thank you so much dear friends, I am grateful for all of your very kind words and the great quote from Me. Blessings upon each of your days, Christine
Dazzling….they say a lot, Christine!
i love the victor hugo quote above. thank you for sharing this beauty and light with us!
This may be your most amazing photo ever! And THAT is saying something! It’s an awfully, dreary chilly day in Chicago. It suddenly seems brighter. Thanks, Christine.
I can hear and see your words in your flowers! When words don’t come, nature speaks for us. Thanks be to God for that.
With thoughts and prayers for you, dear friend…….and a hug, too :)
I certainly don’t feel you need to. Not when you can post beauty.
To love beauty is to see light. Victor Hugo