Mid-February saw our monastery (and most of our region!) receiving a heavy coating of ice and several unusually heavy snows. So what’s a group of nuns to do? Why, make the most of it, of course! For several days, various Sisters could regularly be seen trudging up our hill with our faithful old wooden sled, or perfecting a work of snow sculpture in the courtyard.
Read MoreOn this first Saturday of Lent, we share a video reflection on the First Sorrow of Mary, the Prophecy of Simeon, and the next Jubilaeum prayer guide for the First Sunday of Lent, in which we focus on solitude and temptation, as we accompany Jesus into the desert and consider the truth about ourselves.
Read MoreLent summons us deeper into the paschal mystery of Jesus. The Lord invites us to come with Him into the desert, where He longs to speak to our hearts, where He desires to enkindle, nurture, and strengthen our love for Him in this age-old trysting place of solitude, silence, and discipline.
Read MoreGod’s Word is infinitely rich, and even though we hear the same Scriptures over and over again during the 3-year Lectionary cycle, we will never exhaust their treasures. Sometimes, for instance, familiar passages suddenly come alive with new meaning when we are facing a particular challenge. This was certainly the case for us as we pondered this Sunday’s readings in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreHoly Mother Church has gifted the Passionist Congregation with special opportunities to earn a plenary indulgence during our Tricentennial Jubilee Year! Read on to find out how you can tap into this special channel of grace!
Read MoreWe recently had our annual “Gaudeamus” (free day) in honor of Mother John Mary’s feast day, and it was certainly a day to remember! From a breakfast featuring pineapple-upside-down pancakes, to a skit based on a speech by Flannery O’Connor, to a long woods walk, we fit in as much “nun fun” as we possibly could.
Read MoreSt. Paul’s words to the Corinthians are the earliest record of Christian men and women voluntarily foregoing marriage “for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven,” as Our Lord Himself suggested. Nearly two thousand years later, God is still calling people to this special state of life, one that is focused on becoming “holy in body and in spirit.”
Read MoreYou showed me that day how to love selflessly, sacrificially, to give out of a poverty that nevertheless must give, because it loves. You reached deep into your heart and found something to give your daughter on her journey into an unknown world, something you knew would be of value to her, no matter how small it seemed at the time.
Read MorePope Francis has declared this the “Sunday of the Word of God” – a special time to study the Scriptures and grow in our love for them. This theme inspired the first part of our sharing for this week, as we pondered how each of the readings emphasizes the power of God’s Word in our lives and in salvation history.
Read MoreFinding that their arsenal of chalky pigments had dwindled to mostly pinks and oranges, our monastery vandals turned to Dante’s celestial rose for their inspiration in the waning daylight of 2020.
Read MoreThe defining characteristics of the Passionist Congregation is our special vow “to promote devotion to and a grateful remembrance of the Passion of Jesus Christ.” Traditionally, this has been listed as our fourth vow. However, after the Second Vatican Council, which called on religious to embrace their founding charisms in a renewed way, the Passionists moved this distinctive vow to the first place in our profession formula.
Read More“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon …’” What was this “look” of Jesus like? What did the future head of the Apostles see in the eyes of the Incarnate Word on that fateful day? What love, what eagerness was in Jesus’ Heart as He saw the glorious future in store for the simple fisherman before Him!
Read MoreWhat is a spirituality? Is Passionist spirituality distinct from spirituality of the Passion? In this Jubilee Bulletin, Fr. Bernard Mayele Muntwene tackles these questions and more, leading us to a deeper understanding of our beautiful and unique spiritual patrimony received from St. Paul of the Cross.
Read MoreAn Anglican clergyman turned Passionist missionary, this remarkable man gave up enormous wealth and prestige (he was related to the Royal Family!) to follow the call of God. His tireless work in building churches, preaching missions, and promoting Christian unity has left an indelible mark on the Church in England. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did!
Read MoreSt. Paul of the Cross often spoke sorrowfully of the world’s forgetfulness of the Passion of Christ, and so he asked his religious to make a special vow “to promote devotion to and grateful remembrance of the Passion of Jesus Christ.”
Read MoreThe little Virgin of Nazareth’s heart is pounding, but not with fear. Rather, she is struck with awe at the work of the Lord being revealed to her. By His mercy – His mercy alone! – she has become the site of pilgrimage for the firstfruits of the Gentiles.
Read MoreOn the first day of winter, Dec. 21, 1995, with a cold breeze sweeping off the lake and snow flakes brushing against our faces, 18 Passionist Nuns accompanied by an army of volunteers moved a whole monastery from Benita Avenue in Owensboro to 8564 Crisp Road in Whitesville! This was the day of the big move and we could hardly believe it!
Read MoreOn December 12th, our beloved Christie made her final commitment as an Oblate Affiliate with our community! Even though the COVID-19 pandemic limited attendance, it was a truly joyous occasion. As Christie told the community afterwards, “It could not have been more perfect!”
Read MoreIn the season of Advent, we are called to enter mystically into the faithful Jews’ experience of waiting and trusting in God’s faithfulness. This applies not only to our preparation for Christmas, but most especially to our anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ, the ultimate hope of our faith.
Read MoreSt. Joseph, besides being the patron of our monastery, is a dearly-loved father to each of the Sisters here, and we frequently call on his intercession for matters great and small. How appropriate, then, that this Year of St. Joseph began for us with two very special ceremonies!
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