75 Years of Fidelity

                                    

On Sunday, June 30, we will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Sisters Mary Ethel Burley, Gertrude Nagel, and Cyprian Vondras. Taken together, that’s 225 years of monastic life! Think of it—collectively these women spent 225 years at liturgy of the hours and at mass in the chapel, at the common table in the dining room, and teaching in the classroom. Consider the number of books they read, meetings they attended, weeds they pulled, meals they helped cook, and birthdays and name days they celebrated. Their faithfulness is an inspiration and cause for rejoicing.

Recently, as I read a parenting manifesto that Brené Brown wrote in her book Daring Greatly, it occurred to me that many of the guidelines she identified also can be applied to the monastic life. Think about the following excerpts in terms of communal life:

• We will practice courage in our family [monastery] by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honoring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.

• We will set and respect boundaries; we will honor hard work, hope, and perseverance. Rest and play will be family [monastic] values, as well as family [monastic] practices.

• When uncertainty and scarcity visit, you will be able to draw from the spirit that is a part of our everyday life.

• We will laugh and sing and dance and create. We will always have permission to be ourselves with each other. No matter what, you will always belong here.

Sisters Mary Ethel, Gertrude, and Cyprian: After 75 years of fidelity to the monastic way of life by showing up, working hard, persevering, laughing, singing, praying, and creating, we are grateful that you are who you are and that we all belong here together. Thank you for answering the call to enter the monastery and for being faithful companions on our shared journey to God!