Sacramentality of the Senses ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
Dearest monks and artists, The Catholic Mass, which is my own home tradition, is often described as “smells and bells.” A full liturgy will often meet and inspire every one of our senses: the scent of incense rising, bells ringing, stained glass windows, singing songs, embracing another at the kiss of peace, eating the bread […]
Writing on the Wild Edges: Participant Poems (Tanya Stark Loretto)
This past October we led one of our Writing on the Wild Edges retreats on the beautiful island of Inismor off the coast of Galway. We will be sharing some of the writing which participants gave us permission to share here in the next few weeks. Up next are poems by Tanya Stark Loretto. Dreamscape The land of Éire has […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Pat Butler
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Pat Butler’s reflection, Thirsty Walls. As veteran homeowners know, the work never ends. Nor does spiritual work. And as this novice homeowner discovered, one can inform the other in a monastic practice […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: April Brenneman
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World Guest Post series from the community. Read on for April’s reflection on becoming a monk in the world. When did I start living as a monk in the world? My journey began as a child in a divided and strife filled […]
Writing on the Wild Edges ~ A love note from your online abbess
Dreaming of Stones In the world before waking I meet a winged one, feathered, untethered, who presses in my palm three precious stones, like St. Ita in her dream, but similarities end there, her with saintliness and certainty, me asking questions in the dark. All I know is I am not crafted from patience of […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Kathy Roy
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World Guest Post series from the community. Read on for Kathy Roy’s reflection, “The Gifts of Silent Retreat.” Every year, I go on a silent retreat as part of my commitment to living the contemplative path. I always choose a place that […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Cheryl Bartky
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Cheryl Bartky’s reflection, “Eclipses and Shooting Stars.” The solar eclipse may be a forgotten memory for many of the millions of people who watched it on August 21st. But for me, it […]