In my nearly five years at St. Scholastica Monastery I have learned a lot. One of the highlights has been getting to know Saint Benedict. After all, until entering the Monastery all I knew about him was that he was the answer to every question on a Church History test that dealt with Western Monasticism. We know powerful and holy things about Benedict, yet surprisingly little factual information. I guess it’s thanks to the Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory and the Holy Rule, which Benedict himself wrote, we have all we need to get to know our Holy Father Benedict. Very early on, in my getting to know him, I was distressed that there were not more primary sources of information about my Spiritual Father. I thought it would be hard to get to know him using an ancient document and a few stories of hagiography. I was truly saddened that there are, to my knowledge, no movies about him, movies like A Man for All Seasons and The Song of Bernadette. Yet somehow I have gotten to know Benedict. I believe I can thank Benedict himself for that and surely the grace of the Holy Spirit. I have also learned a great deal from the countless Benedictine Saints as well as the plethora of Benedictine writers throughout the ages. But, I believe the strongest way I have gotten to know Saint Benedict is through the example set by the holy Benedictine men and women that I have had the privilege to meet. Most importantly my Sisters in Community constantly reveal to me the true and living spirit of Saint Benedict. Yes, I can say that I have learned a great deal about this man who lived over fifteen hundred years ago. And, I am looking forward to getting to know him better. As I have heard many times we are never done learning. So, I guess that means I will always be Getting to Know Benedict.
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March 21 – The Passing of Our Holy Father BenedictSix days before he died, he gave orders for his tomb to be opened. Almost immediately he was seized with a violent fever that rapidly wasted his remaining energy. Each day his condition grew worse until finally, on the sixth day, he had his disciples carry him into the chapel where he received the Body and Blood of our Lord to gain strength for his approaching end. Then, supporting his weakened body on the arms of his brethren, he stood with his hands raised to heaven and, as he prayed, breathed his last.” —From Book II of the Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory |
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Sister Lisa MaurerSister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, before entering the Monastery, Sister Lisa taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa made her first Monastic Profession in August 2009. Her first ministry was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is the Mission Integration Manager of the Benedictine Health System.See all of Sister Lisa’s posts. |