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

Mutual Service

The brothers should serve one another. Consequently, no one will be excused from kitchen service unless he is sick or engaged in some important business of the monastery, for such service increases reward and fosters love. RB80.35.1-2


Benedict knew that work, service and ministry were essential not only in community but also in society. He designed a system where all--the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak--would be able to serve one another. He understood that when everyone does their part (however small) great things can be accomplished through the efforts of many.

Currently, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (cfbeo.org) is providing a unique opportunity for residents in Northeast Oklahoma to be of service to their needy neighbors. The Food Bank has be fortunate to receive a large grant for emergency food this summer but now needs thousands of volunteer hours to help pack the items into boxes for distribution. I, myself, have participated on various occasions this summer as have many of our Sisters, Oblates and friends. If you would like to participate, please follow the link above for more information.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

A Special Blessing

Benedict tells us that every type of service in the community is a work as sacred and as sanctifying as prayer. To make sure we do not forget this, Benedict recommends that a blessing be given to those who are about to begin a work of service.

The blessing is not about me or you. It is about the opportunity for each of us to practice unconditional love and to embrace the basic dignity and equality of each person in the community.

Sr.Veronica, OSB

Comic Relief

Years ago when I entered the monastery the table servers of the week had a very important role of service. All meals were served family style, so after the prayer, the young sisters who were usually the servers, brought the trays of food to each table. Every meal provided some kind of embarrassment for the young sisters and comic relief for the community. I know most of the stories are true--many a bowl of mashed potatoes or gravy was served in the Mother Prioress’s lap; many a glass of tea or cup of coffee stained the white tablecloths, the sound of many a tray of dishes dropped echoed in the silent dining room, and many a young sister’s habit revealed the meal’s offerings and had to be changed after the meal.

The buffet line has taken away the table servers and the comic relief, but Benedict reminds us that the dining room is the place where everyone serves one another in love, and where everyone is accountable for the cleanliness and care of the goods used there.

Sr. Veronica, OSB

My Acre of Land

God gives each of us an acre of land in his domain. We are to make this acre of land into a holy ground, the same kind of ground Moses stood on before the burning bush where he spoke to God. In making my acre into a holy ground fertile and fruitful, I may need one tool, a hoe, some nutrients and some water. But my sister may need not only a hoe, but because of some weakness, she may also need someone to help her turn the soil. She may need someone to give her instructions on how to use the nutrients and someone to carry the water.

Benedict insists that we all need to ask for and be given those tools we need to make our acre of land a holy ground. Those of us who need fewer tools should thank God and those of us who need more tools should be humble enough to accept them. None of us should notice the differences.

Sr. Veronica, OSB

Caring for the Sick

We had the privilege of caring for my mother at home for five years before she died at age 92. Home health nurses took care of her during the day while my brothers and I worked at our jobs. In the evening and on weekends we were in charge. We fed her, bathed her, dressed her, did her therapy with her, and put her to bed. In the morning we did the same, then put her in her wheelchair or her lounge chair for the day. These were such enjoyable times for us. Mom had such a great sense of humor and every day she had new stories to share about her childhood, and the colorful characters she took care of in nursing homes where she worked for more than 20 years. At least 3 or 4 times each day she had us praying the Rosary with her.

Caring for the sick can teach us so much about how to live and how to die. Perhaps this is why St. Benedict says: “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ, for he said, I was sick and you visited me, and What you did for one of these…you did for me.”

Sr. Veronica, OSB

On Serving One Another

Do you think our parents got the idea of assigning tasks to us from St. Benedict? It seems my parents had this idea. We had days assigned to set the table, to wash and dry the dishes, to help wash and hang the dish towels on the outside line (we had no dryer in those days). These tasks taught us that each member of the family, young and old, can by serving one another contribute to the smooth running of a household and build up relationships between brothers and sisters at the same time. St. Benedict’s monks may not have argued as much as we did about whose turn it was to do what task, but perhaps they learned the same lesson we did—serving one another is what family is all about.

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

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

A New Kind of #1

...a monk is content with the lowest and most menial treatment,… (RB 7.49).

Humility is starting to lose its appeal. Not only am I being asked to be honest about whom I really am, now Benedict invites me to be happy with the worst and with being the last! What kind of program would ask that of me?

This section causes major problems for me since I’ve always thought that it is healthy and natural to be competitive, to want to be #1. Here I am invited to be #1 in different way—to be #1 in love, patience, gentleness, trust, listening and serving…a new kind of #1. In this kind of quiet competition, I can strive to be #1 in imitating Jesus and the saints. Those aren’t bad role models to have.

Sr. Catherine, OSB