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

Login Here
Back to all

Prayers for Petunia

My sweet Abbess Petunia needs to have another surgery today.  Back in November she had a tumor removed that was cancerous but tested as low-grade and they thought it had all been removed.  We discovered another small lump near the same spot last week and so they are going back in to remove it. 

I have been relishing the wisdom found in this week’s Poetry Party.  Be sure to go take a peek and share your own poem about the Lenten journey, where an awareness of our mortality and death bring us closer to the beauty of life.

You might also enjoy

Monk in the World Guest Post: Tom Delmore

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Tom Delmore’s poems Sparse hay does not a savior make and Ascension Thursday ~ Heal Thyself. These two poems come on the

Read More »
October 29, 2025

Monk in the World Guest Post: Liuan Huska

I’m delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Liuan Huska’s reflection A Holy Shitshow: Being Present to Sickness and Dying. This article is adapted from a post from Liuan’s Substack newsletter: Becoming

Read More »
October 22, 2025

12 Responses

  2. Christine,

    May you lean into the One whose frame longs to receive your weight. I join my prayers to yours and the others for Petunia and your family. May the hours you share together in recovery bestow their gift of peace.