Welcome Home

The prodigal son parable plays out in every family, even the Benedictine community family. We can identify with each son. Like the first son, there is a bit of yearning to take our inheritance, leave the family and make our own way in each of us. And like the second son, there is a bit of self-righteousness and resentment in each of us. Benedict, like the merciful father in the parable, tells us to welcome back those monks who, like the prodigal son take their inheritance, leave the family and set out on their own.

Welcoming back a sister who has left to find her own way is a time for a deep conversion of heart. It calls for forgiveness from each of us and a welcome echoing God’s gracious mercy and joy. On occasion we have welcome home days for all of the sisters who have left our family.
These days are always days of forgiving and rejoicing.