Author: Texas OP Nuns

\”When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance….\” (Acts 2:1-4) 

Pentecost has become, for Christians, the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. The \”tongues of fire\” symbolize the action of the Holy Spirit, enlightening the minds of the disciples and helping them to understand what Jesus had taught them–and enabling them to go out and proclaim that teaching to the world. Dominicans even speak of a \”Dominican Pentecost\” (when St. Dominic sent his first followers out to begin their preaching mission throughout Europe).Today, the Holy Spirit is sending you on a mission as well! It may involve leaving what is familiar to go to the place God is leading you by the Spirit; it may involve staying in the same place but allowing the Spirit to transform your environment and your own point of view. As St. Paul tells us, \”There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each is individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.\” (1 Cor. 12:4-7) Pray to the Holy Spirit and ask for the gifts He longs to give you–and thank Him for the gifts He has already bestowed. Then go out on mission and spread the Spirit to the world!

You\’ve seen the picture in the upper right hand corner of this blog. Maybe you\’ve clicked on the link to see what it\’s all about. But maybe you\’re still wondering…

We\’ve created a beautiful 2012 calendar as a fundraiser for our monastery! For a small donation ($7.00 per calendar, which includes shipping and handling) you can receive one of these calendars AND help support our monastery at the same time. This calendar features photographs from the monastery grounds taken by the sisters and captioned with suitable quotes from the Bible. It\’s a unique view \”inside\” the monastery cloister! It makes a great gift–for yourself or someone you love. Please go here to get more information.

Sr. Mary Margaret presents Fr. Dominic Izzo, O.P. with one of our calendars.Thanks for your support, Father!

\”Dominican Life on Lotus Lane\” has been on the web for one year today!

 

We thank God first and foremost for all the blessings we have received from Him over this past year, and we give special thanks to the many people who have helped us get started on this blog and continue with it–whether with technical expertise, creative advice, or encouragement! Thanks also to all of you who read this blog and especially to those who follow us! You\’re all in our daily prayers!

Since we started this blog on June 4, we find ourselves under the patronage of St. Peter of Verona, the first canonized Dominican martyr. He was raised a Cathar but converted to Catholicism, joined the Dominican Order, and worked hard to stamp out the Cathar heresy. He was martyred as a result.  

He\’s commonly depicted with the assassin\’s blade protruding from his head. As he lay dying, he wrote the word \”Credo\” in his own blood. He\’s a powerful intercessor for the Church in general and the Dominican Order in particular. Pray for us, St. Peter of Verona!