Author: Texas OP Nuns

St. Francis and St. Dominic

incontro-DOM-FRA-(Berlin)[1] Did they ever really meet? Chances are, they didn’t…but if they did, it must have been an interesting conversation! We greet all our Franciscan cousins on this feast day of their founder and keep them in our prayers as we sing the Antiphon to St. Francis and St. Dominic, as we do every year on the feasts of both St. Francis (October 4) and St. Dominic (August 8):

Our apostolic father Dominic, and our seraphic father Francis, have taught us your law, O Lord!

The Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael

archangels[1]“God defends his chosen ones in the Church, in troubled times he is himself their shield, and through the watchful care of angels he protects them. He presents the angels to his own as servants and messengers, to further their salvation, to report their needs, and to carry their prayers. Even though he himself sees and understands the situation of each person, he still wishes to be told of it by his angels, in order to make known and show more clearly his love and consideration for humankind by his use of such worthy and beloved messengers.”  
— From a commentary on the Song of Songs by Richard of St. Victor

Happy Birthday, Sr. Mary Agnes

Sr. Mary Agnes recently had her 88th birthday, which we celebrated with a rare treat of ice cream and cake in the refectory (dining room).

Sr. Mary Agnes admires her delicious cake (made from scratch!) 
Sr. Mary Margaret lights some unusual candles, and–
Wow! What a display! 
We don\’t usually celebrate birthdays in the monastery–we\’re more inclined to celebrate a sister\’s feast day instead–but when a sister reaches a \”certain age\” it does seem that she is entitled to a little extra celebration. Sr. Mary Agnes, we wish you many more Happy Birthdays in the years to come!

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

images[3] O Cross, more splendid than all the stars,
Glorious to the world,
Greatly to be loved by men,
More holy than all things that are,
Thou who alone wast worthy to weigh the gold of the world’s ransom,
Sweet tree, beloved nails,
Bearing the Love-Burden,
Save us who have come together here, this day,
In choirs for Thy Praise!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
–Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander

Eat, Drink and Be Merry…

Tomorrow, September 14–feast of the Exaltation of the Cross–is the beginning of the traditional monastic fast. So to say \”farewell\” to salads, desserts, and other treats at supper, we have a \”last supper\” on September 13.
Sr. Mary Rose enjoyed her delicious bean burrito and–even a Coke to wash it down!
Sr. Mary Dominic pauses to smile for the picture!

Sr. Mary Christine and Sr. Mary Margaret enjoy a laugh!
This fast lasts until Christmas so it will be a long time before we have a supper like this again. But we will have the option of a peanut butter sandwich for supper, which for some is quite a treat. In all seriousness, this time of  moderate fasting is a time to grow in love of God as we sacrifice some of the \”creature comforts\” we have become accustomed to. Pray for us to do this as we\’ll be praying for you!

Congratulations!

During the Mass for the feast of St. Augustine this morning, Jane Davis made her permanent profession and became a full member of the Dominican Laity. Congratulations, Jane!

From left: Amy Haney, moderator of the Chapter; Jane Davis; Sr. Mary John and Sr. Mary Margaret
(Note: the nuns are of course separated from the outside parlor by a small fence, but you can\’t see it here! Trust us, it\’s there!)
We are so happy to have a thriving chapter of the Dominican Laity having meetings and professions at our monastery. Along with Fr. J.D. Logan, our chaplain, we have almost every branch of the Dominican Family present here in Lufkin–we have friars, nuns, laity! We hope to get some active sisters and Dominican volunteers someday!
Jane, welcome to the Dominican Family, and may many more be inspired to follow you in this awesome step you have taken!