Acknowledging the Holy Trinity

We believe in a God who is Three-yet-One. Our God is three distinct persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) yet one divine Being. This part of our faith is a mystery. We will never fully understand it but we are invited to accept it as true in faith.

We live in the presence of this mystery. One of the visible ways in which we show our awareness of this reality and also our reverence to the Holy Trinity is the monastic custom of standing and bowing at the Doxology during our times of common prayer. It reemphasizes the reality of God's presence in our prayer together and in daily life in general.

What are some ways in which I can live my daily life in reverence to the Trinity?

Sr. Catherine

The Fear of God

The first step of humility, then, is that a man keeps the fear of God always before his eyes (Ps35[36]:2) and never forgets it. RB80.7.10

What is the significance of fear when considered in the context of fear of God? What does the fear of God mean? What does it look and feel like? Can fear ever be experienced in a positive light?

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, one of the definitions of fear is to have a reverential awe of someone or something. This definition implies that I have an awareness of a separation between myself and the object of my awe. In looking at the fear of God, I recognize that I am not God and God is much greater than I am.

Taking this definition of fear, then, fear of God is an experience of being in wonder and awe at the magnitude of God. It is like being so aware of the immensity of love, goodness and compassion that reside within God and only being able to say WOW!!!!! or OMG!!!!! (as an expression of wonder to the point of speechlessness--rather than just as a comment).

Today, Benedict invites me to remember the great immensity of God not with trembling but with gratitude, reverence and awe. When I am honest with myself, I can readily agree that it is wonderful to recognize that God is with me in everything that I do and that God provides the necessary grace and strength needed to live well. It is when I forget and try to take back God's power that I can get into trouble.

During one of my lapses (where I was a little confused about whether God or Catherine was actually God), a friend of mine recommended a short fragment from the New Testament to remember--apart from me you can do nothing (from John 15:5). At the time I really did not find the quote particularly appealing but as I have reflected on this piece over that last few months I have come to appreciate the wisdom that is contained in those few short words. It helps me to keep my balance and perspective when I remember this line. It has also reminded me that the whole world does not necessarily depend on me.

As I look at the first step of humility today, I desire to continue living with an awareness of the fear of God.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Rising for the Glory Be

We are preparing to celebrate the great feast in honor of the Holy Trinity. On this feast we acknowledge the great mystery that God is Three--yet--One. Although there is only One God (One Person) there are three distinct roles within the One. In a sense, God is the first model of community available to us.

During the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), we traditionally stand and bow during the Doxology (Glory Be) at the conclusion of the psalms and the Benedictus and Magnificat (Gospel Canticles during prayer). We bow out of reverence to our Triune God and in acknowledgement of the wonder of the great mystery before which we stand and live.

There are countless times during my day when I stand before the presence of God in my ordinary encounters. If I truly believe that God exists within the heart of each person I meet and within each moment of my life, my day could be a perpetual bow to the presence of God in everything. Since this is not physically possible or practical, I need to work on cultivating an interior attitude which speaks of this reality. It needs to be an intention effort on my part. If I choose to live this reality, I might find myself more compassionate, accepting and a whole lot less stressed.

What small things can I do today to engender that attitude within my soul?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Being An Offering

RB80 entitles Chapter 59 of the Rule: The offering of sons by nobles or by the poor.

This title has always seemed a little awkward to me since in our culture we do not deal regularly with nobility or even, in any real sense, offering the work of our hands or something personal to God at the Presentation of the Gifts. The concept of 'tithing' tries to address this issue except that in most cases, I can be so far removed from the weekly offering that is presented in a Sunday envelope or a monthly check that it is just one more monthly bill to pay.

I am reminded of the Gospel story of the widow's offering. She offered to God from what she needed for livelihood. Manytimes, I find myself offering God a portion of what is left over after everything else is done...the last few minutes of the day before I fall asleep, the last ounces of energy after I have done a day's work, the last bit of charity after I have spent it throughout the day.

I desire to give God my best rather than my leftovers. How am I offering the best that I have today to God?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Reverence to the Holy Trinity

As soon as the cantor begins to sing "Glory be to the Father," let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity. RB80.9.7

One of the things that I love about our prayer is the rituals that are involved. I don't like ritual just for the sake of ritual, but I find value in intentional actions performed for a specific purpose.

One of the monastic rituals that has a special place in my heart is the bow at the "Glory be to the Father." When I was younger, I had very little sense of why we would stand at the beginning of this prayer and bow during the portion that praises God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I guess I had never read to the end of the sentence quoted today since the reason for the bow is stated quite clearly--it is to show honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity.

If I truly believe that I live in God's presence all the time, everywhere, then my interior disposition should be one of honor and reverence to God in whose presence I abide. Through my actions, words and attitudes I need to look for ways that speak of that honor and reverence daily. That belief needs to be one of the elements that sets me apart from the world both as a Christian and as a monastic woman.

How am I showing honor and reverence to God around me today?

Sr. Catherine

Hospitality--Accepting All as Christ

Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of the rich guarantees them special respect. RB80.53.15

Hospitality is one of the monastic values that I took to quite easily as a young Sister. Afterall, I am an extrovert and enjoy spending time visiting with people and making them feel comfortable. In my time in community, I have had various opportunities to practice hospitality and to gain deeper insight into its meaning.

For about 7 years, I was fortunate to work at a social service agency that emphasized the dignity of all people and encouraged all to treat others with equal respect--whether client, staff, volunteer, etc. During my years there I made it a point to try to connect with as many of the regular clients and volunteers as I could. I would try to remember something specific about the person as well we their name. When I saw these people coming to our offices, I made it a point to ask them about whatever was significant about them. Many were amazed that I would recall facts about their lives. For me, it just seemed part of the ministry of hospitality--meeting Christ in the other, no matter what the disguise. I have continued to carry on this habit in my personal life.

How is Christ coming to me today? Who does Christ look like? How can I best respond to Christ in my life?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Leadership in Prayer

No one should presume to read or sing unless he is able to benefit the hearers; let this be done with humility, seriousness and reverence, and at the abbot’s bidding. RB80.47.3-4

Humility, seriousness, reverence--these are the qualities that the person who takes on the role of reader/chanter/prayer leader must possess. It seems important to Benedict that the monk assigned these roles realize that their function is not to draw attention to themselves. It is often said that the best minister/servant is the one who can convey the message without making it into a performance.

In a performance, the actors are the main focus and the rest are spectators. In common prayer, there really is no space for stars and spectators--we all share a participatory role in worship.

May I always remember who I am during prayer and who God is.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

On Naming

There is power in a name.



I remember growing up that I could always tell whether I was in trouble by the way my parents called my name. There was a particular form of my name they used that can still strike fear in my heart. There was also a way of calling me that would calm me down if I was extra nervous or anxious.



Today, Benedict talks about people, names and forms of respect in Chapter 63 of the Rule. Benedict reminds us to strive to be the first to show respect and reverence to the other person. This is yet another way in which our acting should be different from the world's way. I am invited to show respect, reverence and care for the others even in the way that I address them.



May I always remember to show the same respect for others that I would like shown to me.



Sr. Catherine, OSB

Spirituality and Housekeeping

Do my clothes fit? Are they clean and pressed? How about my shoes, are they in good repair and do they shine? And my desk and my room, are they orderly? And the tools I use, do I use them properly and keep them in good condition? Benedict proposes that our care and use of the tools and goods of the monastery are as important as our prayer and meditation and should be treated with reverence and concern for others. Our management and housekeeping habits are essential aspects of our journey to holiness. These habits ultimately symbolize our ongoing conversion and commitment to God and to one another in this “school of the Lord’s service.”

Sr. Veronica, OSB

Multigenerational Living

One of the blessings that I received from my family growing up was that I was able to live in a multigenerational setting.

Until I was 20, I lived with parents, siblings and at least one grandparent in our home. Although that is not terribly amazing, the experience gave me the opportunity to learn how to interact with those much older and much younger than myself. I learned about appreciating the wisdom that comes with age, valuing elders, caring for those who might be frail and live at a different pace. I also learned to treasure oral history. My grandmother, Tina, was not very educated but I learned to listen to her stories and memories and to love my time with her.

When I entered community, I was able to transfer many of my skills from growing up to daily life. I found that what I had learned at home prepared me to naturally accept many of our older sisters as my new wisdom figures and mentors for living this life. I thank God daily for these great women.

If you are interested in learning more about St. Joseph Monastery or about becoming an Oblate to our community please visit our website: stjosephmonastery.org.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

On Private Ownership

Monastic life has long been considered to be counter-cultural. In few places is it more evident than in Chapter 55 of the Rule, where Benedict makes clear that private ownership has little place in community.

Monastic community life takes the image from the Acts of the Apostles of the early church as its model. In such a group, everything is held in common, there is no one in need, and all have what is necessary for their daily life. In the Rule's version, everyone receives from the superior not only what is essential for daily living but also what might be necessary for a particular ministry or situation. The needs and character of the person are taken into account.

In this type of community, everyone is seen as a steward or custodian of the common goods rather than owner. In a sense, if I am a custodian of the utensils or clothing or instruments then I have a responsibility to care for them because eventually I might be called to pass the goods on to someone else. This concept is very foreign to the concept of ownership where I am and will probably the only person to use something and I also have the power to lend my goods or to demand them back.

How am I caring for the materials I have to work with today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Be Alert

RB 53: “All are to be welcomed as Christ……all humility is to be shown on arrival and departure…”

Last week, I walked into a local sandwich shop for lunch. The young woman behind the counter looked at me and said in a cheerful voice, “Welcome. Can I take your order?” As she prepared the sandwich to my wishes, she looked at me with a smile and said, “Have a blessed day.” This young woman understands the welcome and gift of hospitality by her words and her attitude. The food service industry aims to make people feel welcome. They train their employees to have the attitudes and behavior that convey the message: “We are at your service.” While their motivations may be different, we are followers of the Gospel of Christ as called to no less, but to have the same attitudes and behaviors that welcome the Christ present among us. St. Benedict points out the motivation for us Christians – to seek Christ in all who present themselves to us in our daily lives. We who give our lives in service of our brothers and sisters for the sake of the Gospel are called to welcome unconditionally the greatest and least, rich and poor, the expected and unexpected.

Be alert today as Christ comes to your door. Who will he look like today?

Sr. Marie Therese, OSB

Distribution of Goods

“Necessary items are to be requested and given at the proper times, so that no one may be disquieted or distressed in the house of God.” RB 31

Benedict makes it clear that although one member of the community is in charge of the distribution of goods (supplies, linens, even food), there is to be no withholding goods on a whim, no power plays to prove “who’s in charge.” The one who distributes what the community members need is to do so with all humbleness and with an awareness that ultimately it is God who will judge his or her motives.

Of course, the same goes for each of us – our motives may appear to be well-intentioned, but it is God who knows our mind and heart and reads our motivation for everything we do. Arrogance, passive aggressive behavior, or laziness are not excuses when it comes to doing what others rely on us to do. It is how we serve God – through serving one another.

Sr. Christine, OSB

Care of Goods

“…regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar.” RB 31

Benedict directs this statement to the monastic in charge of the community’s temporal goods, however, it is a practice the entire community embraces. The kind of stewardship Benedict expects is far beyond our present-day “throwaway” mindset.

Throughout the Rule, Benedict expects his followers to do even the smallest deed well and mindfully. Special care is to be taken with material goods, utensils and tools are to be inventoried regularly and amends are to be made if something is broken through carelessness or neglect.

If Benedict expects this kind of care for worldly goods, how much more he must expect us to care for one another!

Sr. Christine, OSB

Reverence for God

As soon as the cantor begins to sing "Glory be to the Father," let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity. RB 9.7

It took me a while to get used to the extra standing and bowing which is part of the monastic office when I first entered. I could never get the rhythm of the movement and it seemed that I was just starting to get comfortable in my chair when it was time to stand and bow again. I just could not get the hang of it.

This passage from Chapter 9 of the Rule sets the rising and bowing into context. Just as we would stand in acknowledgment of a celebrity or recognized dignitary we should also stand and bow in the presence of God. We should acknowledge God's presence and bow in reverence at the mention of God's name.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Following the Rules

…a monk does only what is endorsed… (RB 7.55)

There is no room in monasteries, friendships, families, work places for the perpetually special. No one can be the leader all the time, the star at everything, the exception to every rule.

This section of Chapter 7 reminds us that there is holiness and virtue in doing only what is prescribed and expected. This concept is counter to what society tries to instill in us in encouraging everyone to be the best, be the first, be the most outstanding.

Maybe God’s invitation is to be the best in following the example set before us. Maybe we are invited to be the best in respect, reverence, love and service.

May we all find ourselves winning in this race.

Sr. Catherine, OSB