This past weekend was a Spirit-filled time of prayer and contemplation at the Monastery. The Sisters and the students of The College of St. Scholastica invited all people to join in two days of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Adoration, prayer, praise and quiet reflection. From Saturday at Evening Prayer until Sunday at Evening Prayer, the chapel was open to all to come and worship.
This marked the end of the Year of Consecrated Life that began on the First Sunday of Advent in 2014 and ended on the Feast of the Presentation, February 2. The US Council of Catholic Bishops asked every religious community to celebrate this year with activities that included a day of prayer open to the public.
On Saturday evening Campus Ministry led a Taizé prayer service in a darkened chapel lit only by two spotlights and numerous votive candles.
Later in the evening there was quiet acoustic music. Sisters and students came throughout the night, praying before the Blessed Sacrament. On Sunday afternoon a Sister led people in Lectio Divina, an ancient prayer of the Church using Scripture readings and meditation. A student led the assembly in praying the Rosary, and the 24 hours of Exposition and prayer ended with Benediction and Evening Prayer.
It was an oasis of peace, silence and joy that will last beyond this weekend: a lovely end to the Year of Consecrated Life and a worthy beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.