Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Login Here
Back to all

Sparrow

(photo of sparrow taken while sitting on a park bench in Riga, Latvia this summer)

-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts

You might also enjoy

A Christmas Blessing ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

A Christmas Blessing This blessing dances at the doorwayof light and dark, knows both as sacred:fertile womb space, miracle of blooming.This blessing breathesthrough those moments of laborwhen you too birth the holyinto this fragile, luminous, hurting worldas Mary did two thousand years ago,eyes wide, hands

Read More »
December 21, 2025

Monk in the World Guest Post: Tina Thompson

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Tina Thompson’s reflection on the path to Roman Catholic Women Priesthood. Have you heard of the international movement, Roman Catholic Women Priests

Read More »
December 17, 2025

6 Responses

  1. amy and christine–it’s my favorite line, too! the photo is so wonderful. i am envious of you sharing space with that precious little creature. :-) the poem and photo are also a very nice way to end a busy day! ahhhh…

  2. The little sparrow – we’ve fallen in love with them this year as two birdhouses were filled with at least 3 nests of new birdies in our backyard. Then the youngsters didn’t leave, they hung around and flocked across the yard from fence to fence, to birdbath, feeders and back. So much fun to see them. We’ve noticed the last couple of days that they’re inhabiting the houses again and wondering if they are going to settle in for the winter?

    Thanks for the beautiful poem from Mary Oliver and your sharp little sparrow!