August Archives

• August 27, 2011

  As I strolled through our woods today I could not but help marveling at how our Cistercian 'cenobitic' life is a lived, vibrant community life. In our silence we are always in communion through our daily activities; Divine Office seven times a day, Lectio Divina, gatherings in the Chapter room for community dialogs and receiving the words of life from our Abbess' teachings; shared work, community meals and various celebrations throughout the year, and yet there are plenty of opportunities for solitude, a quiet aloneness which is so necessary in the midst of our community life. Both our togetherness and solitude are gifts given and embraced for one reason only and that is in the service of love – love for God, love for our sisters in community and love for all our brothers and sisters outside the Abbey walls, but very much carried in the tabernacle of our hearts.
  
  

  Sister Gabriella

• August 24, 2011

  As I sit here in our Garth watching the rain falling gently on our very, green grass, my thoughts go to the upcoming General Chapter, or Mixed General Meetings as it is sometimes called. It begins on September 7th in Assisi. I ponder in amazement as my mind wanders back over the centuries to the past General Chapters of our Order – the purpose, the history and the changes which have taken place since the very first General Chapters in France in the early 12th Century. One can only thank God for the stability, the rootedness and vibrant life of our Cistercian Order. From the early beginnings of the General Chapters when all the Abbots from the Abbeys in France would gather once a year, in September, to ensure that all were being faithful to the Rule of St. Benedict, to remember all who had died during the year since the last General Chapter, to support, to encourage, to solve problems which may have arisen since the last General Chapter and to formulate directives which were necessary with the unfolding years of lived experience. These early, valiant Cistercians could never have visualized nor conceived what has evolved over the centuries, with Abbeys now on every Continent living out the Cistercian life with a kaleidoscope of cultures. I am imagining, as I sit here, all the Abbots and Abbesses preparing to leave for the upcoming General Chapter in Assisi – which is now held every three years – and I can only marvel at the organization going on behind the scenes and thank God for the mystery, the marvel and the world wide companionship which will be experienced when all come together very soon to carry on the dreams and hopes of the first Cistercians.
  
  

  Sister Gabriella

• August 20, 2011

  Today is a very special day for our Cistercian Order as we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Bernard. The various Offices of the day and our Mass of St. Bernard are, I believe, the most beautiful of all our liturgies. The music was created by the sisters and the texts are all from Bernard's writings. Today is also a day which is very special to individual monks and nuns, as it is the anniversary day on which some received the Cistercian habit, some made first profession and others solemn profession. It holds many memories for many of us. It is also a happy day for our community as our postulant is taking the next step on her monastic journey, and that is receiving the Cistercian habit. For twelve months she has lived as part of our community, sharing our joys and sorrows, our work and liturgy, our chapter meetings and times of celebration and now she feels ready to embrace our life at a deeper level and we are very ready to receive her as she embraces this step of her journey and becomes a novice. She has just finished making her eight day retreat, made before taking this step, and now, today, she will celebrate with her community, her family and friends the joy of this day. As St. Bernard once told his monks, many centuries ago, that it is 'His desire (for us) which gives rise to the desires of our hearts', and so we pray today that she will continue to grow in the knowledge that it is His tremendous love for her which has made this day possible.
  
  

  Sister Gabriella

• August 16, 2011

  Jesus, thank you for the unexpected gift of the opportunity to visit two museums in Washington recently when I was there for a meeting. It was a grace filled gift. The Holocaust Museum and the National Air and Space Museum. The former depicting man’s inhumanity to man and how depraved our hearts can become when reason, integrity and love are smothered by an obsession for power and glory and domination of others. Within this museum I felt the silent pain of millions and haunting memories. This can happen in all human hearts. Yes, Jesus, to my own heart also, in smaller ways, if I do not keep your message deep within my heart and live it to the full. The latter museum, National Air and Space, spoke rather of hearts searching, longing, striving, dreaming of challenges and reaching for the moon and beyond, far beyond what the human heart could ever imagine. Minds and hearts working together in a symphony of recently explored and unexplored horizons. Our Cistercian hearts must embrace all who create these worlds – the depraved, the suffering, the tormented hearts, the loveless hearts as well as the hearts of the idealists who see beyond our planet into the infinite reaches of the universe.
  
  

  Sister Gabriella

• August 13, 2011

  Today we said, 'Farewell' to a wonderful, young woman who is studying to become a Lutheran minister. It is the custom of the Lutheran church for candidates, preparing for ministry, to spend four to six weeks in a monastery during their time of preparation and study. Katie came to our Abbey and we loved having her with us. Her dedication, her witness, her heart's longing – so transparent – was a wonderful witness to all of us. Her enthusiasm and love for Jesus was so evident and total. We were sad to see her go but also full of joy to know that Jesus has such a wonderful disciple ready to spread the good news, the news of love and service to all our brothers and sisters. "Jesus, I must say personally my heart ached so often when I reflected on her presence with us and the sad fact of the lack of unity between our Christian churches. All so unnecessary for we all love you and listen with the same hearts to your Word. We must continue to live in hope that one day all barriers, which we as struggling human beings have erected, will fall away and we will be together once again at the table of your love, listening together to your Words of life." We will continue to support her as she continues her journey to fulfill the vocation which you have placed in her heart. Our love and prayers went with her and we know that she will return from time to time to share with us how her journey is going. Our monastic community loves to 'welcome', to support and to love all, no matter what religious affiliations. The bond of love in human hearts does not categorize, just welcomes.
  
  

  Sister Gabriella

• August 7, 2011

  Jesus, the gospel for today, the 19th Sunday of ordinary time, is one which always lights up the joy in my heart. It is so much a part of our life together. You walking on the water, Peter trying to reach you but as soon as he took his eyes off you everything went wrong – yet you still reached out your hand to hold him safely in your love. "Do not be afraid; IT IS I." Those three little words, "IT IS I" you inspired me to take as a motto for life many years ago. I try to hear your voice and live them daily and they hold my heart like an anchor in the ocean of life. No matter if the ocean is calm, stormy or down right dangerous, your words hold my heart steadfastly in love. Our shared love – yours for me and mind for you. No, it is more than an act of faith for me, they are your presence in my life – speaking, encouraging, delighting and calling to me to look away from myself, no matter what circumstances are unfolding in my life. When I hear you speak them in my heart I come, just as Peter did, in love. I really don't care, now that I have experienced your love, whether you call me in calm waters, stormy or even scary, typhoon like waters for I know I will be safe for always have your hand out to catch me, to hold me and love me. Thank you.
  
  

  Sister Gabriella