Conversion

Sister reading her Vows during her Monastic Profession

Today we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul. Conversion can come in different ways. 

Paul needed to be knocked off his high horse, what does God need to do to get us to convert and become closer to Him? 

We as Benedictine Nuns take a vow of conversion. This means that we vow to constantly change, so that we might be more like Christ. This isn't as easy as it sounds. There are days that we don't see how we are lacking in this virtue, so God reminds us in subtle ways, okay, some days not so subtle. I have to constantly ask my self God do you really want me to do or act in this way? I say a quick prayer and then do it. Sometimes the prayer is just HELP.... or really God.... and for the smaller things, an Hail Mary works just as well.

I often look back at my life and marvel at how God worked in the various area of my past so that I might be the Nun that I am today.

Take the time to stop and reflect on how God worked in your past that has made you who you are today.

St. Francis de Sales

  Moreover, just as every sort of gem, cast in honey, becomes brighter and more sparkling, each according to its color, so each person becomes more acceptable and fitting in his own  vocation when he sets his vocation in the context of devotion. Through devotion your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince becomes more faithful, and our work, no matter what is is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable.
  It is therefore an error and even a heresy to wish to exclude the exercise of devotion from military divisions, from the artisans' shops, from the courts of princes, from family householdes, I acknowledge, my dear Philothea, that the type of devotion which is purely contemplative, monastic and religious can certainly not be exercised in these sorts of stations and occupations, but besides this threefold type of devotion, there are many others fit for perfecting those who live in the secular state.
  Therefore, in whatever situations we happen to be, we can and we must aspire to the life of perfection.

Happy St Nicholas Day

        Children around the world know and love St. Nicholas—for he brings gifts and treats in December. He is known by different names—and even looks different from place to place. But, it is the same St. Nicholas who delights with small surprises and good things to eat. Nicholas gave in secret, alert to others' needs, and expecting nothing for himself in return. It is this selfless generosity which seeks only the good of the other that made Nicholas' gifts the gifts of a saint.

       Nicholas primary virtue came to be seen as generosity to children—rooted in the stories of rescuing the desperate maidens with gold for their dowries and of saving three children or schoolboys from an evil fate. Nuns in France began leaving treats on St. Nicholas Eve, December 5th, for the small children of poor families. St. Nicholas' gifts were usually good things to eat: apples, oranges, nuts, and eventually cookies and sweets.   

St Nicholas Center ~Gift Giver

Remember:  Who is the greatest gift .......Jesus.......He gave his life for us........

God Bless
and don't forget to put out your shoes.