How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84:11

The response and verses of today's Responsorial Psalm at Mass sum up so beautifully how our hearts are drawn to the Lord!  Even a single day with Him is better than days beyond counting.

Praying, living, working all within the confines of the monastry grounds and in such close proximity to the Chapel is the grace of our monastic vocation.  Supported by each other, we place our hearts and whole being at His service.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like?  We invite you to come and experience it for yourself.  We have a new overnight planned for Palm Sunday weekend (March 31-April 1) or a longer time planned April 4-8 (or you could come for a day or two during those days).  Contact Sr. Mary Clare at 724-834-3060 or email vocations@stemma.org for additional information or to sign up.

I am the light of the world...

Ego sum lux mundi; qui sequitur me, non

ambulat in tenebris, sed habebit lumen vitae

("I am the light of the world;

the one who follows me 

does not walk in darkness,

but has the light of life")

John 8:12

One doesn't accept these words at face value.  One has to have faith that enables these words to sink in with meaning.

So much of life appears dark and unclear, and if we believe that the appearance is all that really is, then we're in trouble.  But if we regularly refer our thoughts to the correcting value of the mind of Christ, then we're walking with clarity and precision.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He lights up the world.  He lights up our lives.  That light shows the way even when our mightiest powers of reason fail us.

But this is His promise, and believing Him who can do anything, and believing Him who can neither deceive nor be deceived, turns a spotlight on our steps, choices, and decisions that is flashed our way from heaven itself.

from Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth

by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, OSB

World Day for Consecrated Life

Instituted by Blessed John Paul II in 1997, this day of prayer for men and women in consecrated life.  Attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2), it is also known as Candlemas Day due to the candles that are blessed as part of the liturgy.  Let us pray that those in the consecrated life may reflect the light of Christ for all to see.

Prayer for Consecrated Persons

God our Father,

we thank you for calling men and women

to serve in your Son’s Kingdom

as sisters, brothers, religious priests,

consecrated virgins, and hermits,

as well as members of Secular Institutes.

Renew their knowledge and love of you,

and send your Holy Spirit to help them

respond generously and courageously to your will.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

(Prayer from the USCCB)

Commemorating Mary on Saturday

During Ordinary Time, the option is given in the Liturgy to commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturdays.  Here at the monastery, we do this once a month, usually on the First Saturday, unless another saint's feast day falls on that day.

Why do we do this?  Mary was the first person who "got it right."  Unlike Eve and Adam who wanted to become gods themselves, Mary humbled herself before God.  She said "Yes!" to God's will and became the Mother of Jesus.  Where would we be today without Mary's yes?

Today, take a few minutes to ask Mary to intercede for you before the throne of her Son, and ask her to help you to be open to God's will for your life.  May you be able to say fiat to God just like Mary did.

Abandoning Ourselves Unreservedly

Few souls understand

what God would accomplish in them

if they were to abandon themselves

unreservedly to Him

and if they were to allow His grace

to mold them accordingly.

~ St. Ignatius Loyola

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace...

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,

 according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
~ From the Gospel of Saint Luke

These words from Saint Luke's Gospel which is an option for today's feast, are prayed each night at Compline -- the Office that closes our day and begins our time of sacred silence until the next morning.  In these short, yet poignant phrases, Simeon praises God for seeing the Messiah, and prophesies that Jesus will not only be a light for his own people, but also for all peoples. 

Tonight as you pray your final prayers, perhaps Simeon's words can be added and well as a few quiet moments to ponder this tremendous gift of faith that we have received from God.

February Prayer Intentions of Pope Benedict XVI

Access to Water.  That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.

Health Workers.  That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world’s poorest regions.

For more information about the Apostleship of Prayer, visit:  http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/.