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

Following Instructions

The eighth step of humility is that a monk does only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery and the example set by his superiors. RB80.7.55

There is a special talent in being able to follow directions and not deviate from the expected norm. I know this from experience since I am not a person who cares to follow instructions all the time and ends up working harder to clean up messes.

I enjoy living on the edge and learning by doing so when given the option of reading the manual or recipe or just "winging it" and hoping for the best. I usually just forge ahead and get ready for an adventure. After all, how many great discoveries would have been lost if everyone followed the guidebooks all the time?

In community life, however, Benedict is inviting me to consider adhering to the basic plan for the group...not to head out on my own taking others with me. Not everyone enjoys an adventure as much as I do and there is prudence in being respectful of other's sensitivities. All of life does not have to be lived by my rules. I need to be willing to bend and accept the norm.

I need to pray for the grace to temper my need for innovation and excitement with other's need for security.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Building Strong Relationships

Let him strive to be loved rather than feared. (RB80.64.15)

Many have heard the old saying, "You can draw more flies with honey than with vinegar." This short sentence from the Rule on the election of leadership seems to take a similar view.

It is much easier for me to follow the advice of someone that I consider to be on my side, looking out for my interest rather than a tyrant or dictator. The trust that has been developed in the past serves as a strong backdrop for current relationships.

I have been fortunate to have leaders that I treasure as dear friends and that I truly respect. This relationship makes it much easier to accept correction from them--because I sense that they love me and care about me also.

When I find myself in leadership as either a teacher, a team leader, or a supervisor I strive to build a strong relationship with my colleagues first, then work from their. I try to remember what a treasure their trust is to me and to be worthy of that honor.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

First in Respect

They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom. 12:10)

Benedict uses this short verse from Paul's letter to the Romans to emphasize the attitude that should exist within the community--between members. Benedict knew that many are competitive by nature and strive to be first...so why not try to be the first at showing others respect (in treating them as Christ).

That is an appealing concept to me since I love being noticed for my accomplishments and am always looking for new ways to excel in life. How about trying to win the gold medal in showing care and respect to others? That sounds live a goal to strive for--one that would take daily practice and lots of work.

What are some ways in which I can show respect to my friends, teammates, coworkers today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

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

A Kind Word--The Best Gift

Above all, let him be humble. If goods are not available to meet a request, he will offer a kind word in reply, for it is written: A kind word is better than the best gift (Sir 18:17). (RB80.31.13-14)

Benedict realizes that the requests made to the cellarer might not always be able to be fulfilled. Rather than have the person say "no" angrily or with disdain, the person is asked to respond with a kind word or maybe even an alternative solution to the request. The concern here is that the person asking would feel that they are being heard and their need respected. There are times when a request might come at an inappropriate time or at a time of lack or scarcity.

Isn't it better to hear, "I understand your need and it will be addressed as soon as possible." rather than, "Why would you ask for that when you know that it is not available."? Many times a person might be needing someone to recognize their need and to help come up with alternatives rather than a plain no.

Benedict points out again that in all types of communal situations, it is the relationships (respect, dignity, communication) among the members that is more important than the material concerns.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

If All Else Fails...Try Prayer

After he has applied compresses, the ointment of encouragement, the medicine of divine Scripture, and finally the cauterizing iron of excommunication and strokes of the rod, and if he then perceives that his earnest efforts are unavailing, let him apply an even better remedy: he and all the brothers should pray for him so that the Lord, who can do all things, may bring about the health of the sick brother. (RB 80.28.3-5)

Today, we have another glimpse at Benedict's "correctional code." He has just finished a rather extensive section on faults, discipline and excommunication. He summarizes that after all of these steps have been taken to correct faults (and they have failed) then the entire community should be called to prayer for the erring.

I would have thought that prayer might be the first line of defense against disobedience, sin, or errant behavior rather than the last. There does seem to be some evidence that prayer might have been invoked earlier in the process (the reference to Scripture as a corrective). Maybe the difference now is that it is the prayer of everyone in the community rather than just the Superior and the individual.

Benedict is very careful to preserve the dignity of the individual...so maybe Benedict is now calling for everyone to pray for the person. The prayers of the whole group being possibly more effective than the prayers of one. Also this would provide an opportunity for the other members of community to offer encouragement and support to the leader and to the individual (encouragement to change her life and continue growing despite the difficulties).

I have found that at the times that I feel the most separated from community, asking others to pray for me and my situation has helped me to feel less alone and isolated. The issues might still exist but I find more strength to be able to face the future when I have the support of other's prayers.

May I be that supporting influence for others.

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

The Old and The Young

One of the things that appealed to me about Monastic Communities when I was first considering religious life was the multigenerational aspect of our life. The young and the old interact freely together and amazingly the young and the older learn from each other. This appealed to me because I grew up in a multi-generational family.

Growing up we were fortunate to always have at least one grandparent living with us and coming from a family with lots of aunts and uncles there was always someone young around. Those of us that were young learned to respect the wisdom of the elders. We learned traditions and culture from them and we loved to hear stories of how life used to be. The older folks made life interesting for us.

The older folks, on the other hand, were always interested in what the young had to say and in what our ideas were. They wanted to know what made life work for our generation and they always had time to play games with us.

In this interaction between the young and the old, we learned naturally to be flexible, to have a sense of humor and to honor differences. I think that St. Benedict knew about this dynamic and was striving to instill it into his communties. I value this aspect of my life.

May God continue to make me sensitive to the needs of the older and to the insights of the young.

Sr. Catherine, 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

A Classless Community

In a world where there is competition for places of honor and for special forms of respect, the Rule proposes a somewhat classless society. The elders and the young service each other, side by side. The PhD and the high school graduate work together on committees to serve the whole. In our community, even the Prioress can be found scrubing pots and pans along with the novice. This service to community and to one another is essential for building relationships and for recognizing the dignity and the value of work and the worker.

It takes a fair amount of humility to be willing to put on an apron, roll up sleeves and get involved in the "daily" tasks of life...especially for those of us who have spent most of our lives either in a classroom or an office. There is a healthiness and a wholesome aspect of participating in the more mundane events, in listening to the stories shared, in getting to know one another in a new way--without titles, or fascades. As the holidays approach I look forward to spending more time just be-ing with our community.

Sr. Catherine

A New Table Etiquette

When I first entered community, one of the hardest things for me was understanding how mealtimes worked. Not that I had a problem with being a picky eater or with knowing which fork to use; I had more concerns and questions with how to eat slowly and enjoy a leisurely meal. I also did not appreciate small talk or pleasant table conversation. Considering that I definitely like to talk and usually have something to say that was a surprise for some folks.

As I have matured in community, I have come to appreciate story-telling at meal times. I don't panic as much when there are silences during the meal. I can pause to put my fork down for a few minutes between bites and know that it is acceptable--even expected.

Family time around the dinner table is one of the many things that community can show us. We can learn the value to listening politely, serving one another at table and just being present and attentive to the other.

These are all lessons that I would have missed if I had not be willing to learn a new table etiquette.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Common Table

Sharing a meals together can be teaching moments for all of us. I know that when I first entered our community I had a hard time appreciating the value of dinner time conversation and having a leisurely meal as a group.

Although my family generally had at least one daily meal together I had somehow missed the finer points of conversation and eating slowly rather than inhaling my meal. Over the years I have gotten better at participating in meal conversation and pleasantries. Our community also has the tradition of an after meal blessing to signal the end of the meal--that gives us an external signal of the end of the meal and also reminds us that all that happened in the dining room was in God's presence. This is also one more way in which Benedict's connection between table and oratory is emphasized.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

The Elders and The Young

At our family celebrations the old folks—Grandma, Grandpa, the great aunts and uncles—and the young folks, not yet teenagers, got the most attention.

The old folks got special places at the table and special food if required, and the young folks always got to eat early or have a snack before dinner. Isn’t it amazing that St. Benedict seems to favor the elderly and the young with special treatment, too.

At other times in the Rule when Benedict speaks of calling the community together for discussing issues, he asks the monks to listen to everyone in the community even the youngest. The elder monks may have wisdom and knowledge of how life was BACK THEN, but the younger monks have the wisdom and knowledge of how life is NOW.

Sr. Veronica, OSB

Cleaning Up the Messes

“Whoever fails to keep the things belonging to the monastery clean or treats them carelessly should be reproved.” RB 32

How many times have you walked into the break room at the office, or into your own kitchen and found someone else’s mess? Have you seen the sign posted that says, “Your mother doesn’t work here,” reminding us to clean up after ourselves?

It is the same in the monastery. Benedict anticipates that we will take responsibility for our own actions, do the right things, and clean up our messes. This is particularly important in common spaces and with things available for general use by all.

Often we don’t intentionally leave things askew – we get called away and forget to go back. A kind reminder is sometimes all that’s needed. And some of us need those reminders most days!

Sr. Christine, 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

Appropriate Discipline

Parents understand that each child is individual and responds differently to various forms of discipline. With some reasoning might work, with others a reward system works best, and for others a time out system is necessary. The same is true in any form of community, whether a family, a classroom or a business.

In setting up his community Benedict was aware of this need for individualization also. In Chapter 30, he advises that care should be taken to use the appropriate means to modify behavior in each situation. Benedict is very aware of the differences in personalities and approaches.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Correction of Faults

I tend to be a wimp when it comes to dealing with interpersonal issues. Benedict gives us a three strikes policy for issues in community.

When someone is disruptive to community, Benedict asks that the person be addressed privately. Giving the opportunity for the person to change. If that does not work, the person is to be disciplined publically. If the person is still unwilling to change, Benedict advocates expelling the person from the community.

I have had times when my own behavior has been destructive to myself and others around me. The wisdom of giving the offender three opportunities to amend has provided me with the strength needed to continue to grow.

Sr. Catherine

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