the truth about myself. I am a beloved creature of God. I am not thecenter of the universe. God is.
Of course, if everything I haveand hold is a gift, then I must beaware of its value. Benedict remindshis followers that we are to treat everything, every tool, dish, and bookas a holy vessel of the altar. Thebook we cherish most is the Bible.
Throughout the day we gather as a
community in chapel to sing hymns
and Psalms, read God’s word, and
intercede for the needs of the church
and of the world. We call this prayer
the Liturgy of the Hours. Spacing
this form of prayer throughout the
day reminds us that God is present
at all times and in all places. Each of
us also prays with the Bible, medi-
tating on it and letting the words
permeate our very bones.
Sometimes God has used natureto awaken me to the divine presence. I may be walking in the woodsand see a heart-shaped leaf or be atwater’s edge and find a heart-shapedpebble. I have even looked up at the
Code #337 VocationNetwork.org Community Search
THE STRONG bondfound in a monasticcommunity matched
Sister TonetteSperando, O.S.B.’sunderstanding offamily. Hence, shefelt a familial bondwith the womenof her Benedictinecommunity.
sky and seen a heart-shaped cloudand become aware of God. It’s as ifGod is saying to me, “I’m here withyou. Know that I love you and youare mine.” One time, I even saw aheart-shaped potato chip! It may nothave been as traditionally holy as avessel on the altar, but it was enoughto remind me that even here andeven now, in something so ordinary,the Divine is present to those whohave eyes to see.
Thus, with a focus on God’spresence in our work, our hospitality, our prayer, and in small everydaymoments, the tradition of Benedictine spirituality lives on. =
Check out our other entries in VISION’sseries on major traditions in religiouslife: FRANCISCANS: tinyurl.com/franciscanspirituality; CARMELITES:tinyurl.com/carmelitetraditions
COUR TESY OF BENEDIC TINE SISTERS OF CULLMAN, AL
