Free gift! A mini-retreat for Imbolc and the Feast of St. Brigid We are delighted to offer you the gift of a mini-retreat called Stirring in the Belly to help celebrate the feasts of Imbolc and St. Brigid. We have offered this mini-retreat in the past as a free gift, but this year it has been expanded to include new reflections on Brigid by Christine, reflections on the Presentation in the Temple by John (February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation), as well as the gift of a new video of a song on Brigid we had especially commissioned

The wonderful folks at Faith Squared have created an Advent calendar this year with new reflections each day.  Today’s featured writer is yours truly: I must be the Virgin and give birth to God. –Angelus Silesius Advent is my favorite liturgical season of the year. Images of waiting, darkness, and birthing make my soul sing.  We are each given time and space to grow more welcoming to unknowing, where so much promise and possibility dwell.  During Advent we honor a God who is far beyond our own imaginations and who calls us into the fullness of our own horizons. The 17th century German

To receive this love note from your online Abbess direct to your in-box, click here: “And how would God be known as the Eternal One if brilliance did not emerge from God?  For there is no creature without some kind of radiance–whether it be greenness, seeds, buds, or another kind of beauty.” —St. Hildegard of Bingen Dearest wondrous monk and artist souls, Thank you for all the beautiful replies I received from last week’s love note about following the thread to Mary and the gift of pears.  Many of you had similar stories to share connecting the Black Madonna and

Oh autumn, how I love thee so. . . these next few months make my soul come alive in ways that summer never does.  I like to think of autumn and winter as true monk months – the time of releasing, letting go, surrendering into silence and stilless, of waiting and dwelling in Mystery. The autumn equinox falls on September 22nd this year—a time when the sun rests above the equator, and day and night are divided equally. It heralds a season filled with change, celebrates the harvest, and ushers in the brilliant beauty of death. Autumn is a season

Hello beautiful monk friends, I have been relishing my summer sabbath time, savoring the sweetness of so many goodbyes.  When I chose the word “savor” for this year (or more accurately, when it chose me) I had no idea that I would be spending several weeks without a home or car, saying goodbye to many dear friends, and heading off on this adventure.  We are making our way slowly toward Vienna, stopping along the way to spend time with friends and family.  So many moments of unbridled joy tinged with the sadness of letting go.  I am making room for