Lessons from a Monastic Elder

Because we celebrate the funeral mass for Sr. Brendan Fry today, morning prayer began at 7:00 instead of 6:30 am. I could have used the extra half hour in a number of ways, but talked myself into taking a 20-minute walk, and was rewarded for my efforts with a fox sighting near the service entrance at U street. The animal regarded me from a distance for quite a while before trotting off under some trees.

Seeing the fox helped me meditate on the life of Sr. Brendan, who performed a variety of ministries at the Mount during her 75 years in community, including subprioress, teacher, principal, sacristan, transportation director, and laundry supervisor. Foxes are known for being loyal, patient, and persistent, and their adaptability allows them to fit into any situation. They are keen observers and are skilled at remaining unnoticed. Sr. Brendan certainly used all those qualities in her service to the community; how many of us at the Mount check the bulletin board for messages, go to mass, request a car, or use clean towels without noticing the dedication and behind-the-scenes work performed day after day by the subprioress, sacristan, transportation coordinator, or laundry supervisor?

I also suspect that through the fox, Sr. Brendan was giving me some clues about how to approach the novitiate. Foxes are comfortable with silence and solitude and can use the art of camouflage to fit into various situations. According to a spirit animal Web site, when adjusting to a new living situation, foxes can “be a signal to open your eyes, so that you can see the situation for what it is—not as you wish it to be.” Furthermore, foxes remind us to be fluid and adaptable, and to recognize that we have all the resources and tools we need for a given challenge. Lest I miss the message, when I checked my mailbox this morning I found a free calendar from the Nature Conservancy—with a picture of a fox and her kit on the cover.

I’m grateful for the monastic lessons that Sr. Brendan provided—and continues to provide—through her life of service and prayer at the Mount!