Thistles, wild grapes and a mink at the monastery July 19, 2009

This week two more women joined us for the Volunteer in Community program. A third woman will join the group on Sunday which will bring our numbers to ten. We tackled a number of tasks last week including digging thistles from the prairie and cutting wild grape vines out of the evergreen trees along the [...]

Volunteers in Community coming & going July 10, 2009

Today we sent one of our Volunteers in Community off with a blessing. She had been with us for almost three weeks. From here she is going to visit a friend for the weekend and then return to Tennessee. Another volunteer arrives Monday which will bring our number to eight.
 Tomorrow is the Solemnity of Benedict and Scholastica and our [...]

Benedictine Women welcome Volunteers in Community June 26, 2009

On June 15, the sisters welcomed the first six women who will be living and working with us for varying lengths of time this summer as part of our Volunteer in Community program. They come from around the U.S. and from New Zealand and bring much energy for caring for the earth and learning about Benedictine life. We have invited them [...]

Recognized for Building Community December 30, 2008

As recently cited in Spectrum, an insert to Madison Magazine:
“On the outskirts of town is a faith community that is leading the way in promoting land conservation and environmental justice. The Holy Wisdom Monastery, led by the Benedictine Women of Madison, is nestled among prairie land and rolling hills overlooking Lake Mendota just north of [...]

Perspective on Stability December 15, 2008

Stability means staying with the same group of people over the course of one’s life as a monk. Stability provides ample opportunity and the necessity to develop the skills and compassion to work things out with others. Remaining stable allows one to make the interior journey of conversion of life. Stability provides us the grounding [...]

Remember mercy December 4, 2008

Benedict calls for the Lord’s prayer to be said every day to remind us of the need to forgive one another and ourselves even as we have been forgiven. Benedict says, “never lose hope in God’s mercy.” (RB 4:74)

Centering Prayer November 26, 2008

Imagine two friends sitting in silence, content to simply be with one another. They have a sense of calm and comfort in the ease of their relationship. Centering prayer offers this same feeling.
Part of an ancient contemplative tradition, centering prayer allows individuals to turn within and rest in God’s presence. The practice can be particularly [...]

Perspective on Obedience November 5, 2008

Obedience is a response to listening to the Word of God in scripture and one another. The Latin words for listening and obedience come from the same root. Our listening to God’s word is meant to result in concrete action in our lives.

Sister Lynne on Unity.fm November 4, 2008

Sister Lynne is live on Internet radio! On Monday, November 10 from 2:00–3:00 p.m. (CST), she’ll follow in the footsteps of spiritual trailblazers as a featured guest on The Leading Edge with Mindy Audlin.
Sister Lynne will share her revolutionary journey from Presbyterian minister to Benedictine Sister, offering everyday tools for your spiritual journey.
Listen for…• Introduction [...]

Prayerful Listening October 23, 2008

Lectio divina is a prayerful reading of scripture, a way of spending time with the Word of God. Readings are slow and deliberate, allowing the Word to resonate within one’s heart and mind. The process itself has a rhythm that allows individuals time and space to find spiritual meaning beyond the literal text.
Lectio divina differs [...]