Ash Wednesday Reflection
Observance of Lent Chapter 49 of the Rule of Benedict St. Benedict begins Chapter 49 on “The Observance of Lent,” with a powerful challenge: “The life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent.” For Benedict, this does not…
Sister Mary Elizabeth Schweiger
Sister Mary Elizabeth served in pastoral ministry for many years in the Kansas City area. After serving as sub priores of the community, she has ministered as a staff member of Sophia Center. She is currently serving her first term as Prioress, as well as provides spiritual direction, and offers retreats. In her free time, she likes to make comfort crosses.
From the Prioress:
What the World Needs Now A song from 1965 keeps stirring in my heart these days. Written by Hal David with music by Burt Bacharach, the song is What the World Needs Now. Here is the refrain: What the world…
From the Prioress Lessons from the Sequoia Trees:
Last September, I had the opportunity to visit Sequoia National Park in California and stand in reverence before the largest tree in the world: a sequoia named the General Sherman Tree. This tree is 275 feet tall; for me to…
Reflection for Good Friday
Good Friday is a powerful moment in the context of a three-day liturgy that contains rituals that enable us to deal with the passion and death of our Lord Jesus. It also allows us to know how to deal with…
Reflection for Sister Helga Leija’s Rite of Monastic Profession
Reflection: Ephesians 1: 3-14 Sister Helga, a column editor and translator for Global Sisters Report, which is a division of the National Catholic Reporter, shares stories of courageous women religious all over the world who are making a difference in…
Reflection for Ash Wednesday
From the Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict, we hear the words, “But as we progress in this way of life in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight…
From the Prioress: Let us be Pilgrims of Hope
Pope Francis calls us to be Pilgrims of Hope, embracing trust and renewal in uncertain times. Like a pilgrimage, hope grounds us while moving us forward. Our community remains committed to serving others and spreading hope through faith, action, and compassion. Join us on this sacred journey of hope!
From the Prioress: Lessons of the Gumbo Limbo Tree
Just as a group of gumbo limbo trees provides a safe haven for all kinds of creatures, our monastic community invites us to be a place of safety and peace in which we help one another to thrive and survive.
Reflection for Good Friday
Today and year after year, Good Friday invites us to come together as believers, to lay down our burdens and sorrows, to acknowledge and take ownership of injustices and selfishness, all the sins of the world and lay them at the foot of the cross.
From the Prioress: Connecting to our Source of Power
When each of us is fully charged, shining brightly with hope, love, compassion, forgiveness, and caring, we can bring light into our darkened world.