Author: Texas OP Nuns

Christian Unity Octave, 2015

Today begins the Christian Unity octave (January 18-25). Here at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus, we pray for church unity, and we also try to practice it in our way. Just yesterday we visited with a group of Methodist teens who are preparing for Confirmation in their church later this spring. We had a very fruitful discussion with them about prayer, listening to God\’s voice in our daily lives, and yes, we discussed Christian unity, as well. We open our doors to people of every faith (although in Lufkin, TX  we mostly get people of various Christian denominations) who want to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament, or join us in the Liturgy of the Hours. And they do come. Some people just stay out in the parking lot, but they tell us they can feel the presence of God in a special way even there. We are always open to dialogue with people of different faiths, and we enjoy discussing our faith and practices with people who are curious about what we do. We are Dominicans, after all!
Let us be united in prayer during this week and throughout the year, remembering that Jesus was willing to ask the Samaritan woman for a drink at the well. Whatever our faith, let us be open to each other and ready to find common ground.

9 Days for Life, 2015

Today begins 9 Days for Life, a novena of days to pray for pro-life causes of every kind. We\’ll be praying, and we hope you will, too! You can pray the novena from the USCCB here. It\’s in both English and Spanish. We hope you will join us in a special way on January 22, the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, in praying for an end to abortion in this country and throughout the world. Let\’s get on our knees and pray!

Christmas at the Monastery, 2014

The chapel creche
We know…you might be thinking, \”Hey, Christmas is over! It\’s 2015 already!\” But as Catholics–and nuns whose monastery is dedicated to the Infant Jesus, our patron–we celebrate Christmas from the eve of December 24 to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (which comes on January 11 this year). So Merry Christmas, y\’all, and Happy New Year! Here are some scenes from around the monastery: 

The refectory (dining room) 
The main hallway
The main hallway again
Community room creche
The community room all lit up
 Every room in the monastery (almost) has a creche! This is the one from the Guild office.
And our illuminated bell tower!

Advent Companions: Fr. Alfred Delp, SJ

 \”More, and on a deeper level than before, we really know this time that all of life is Advent.\”–Fr. Alfred Delp
 
Our final Advent companion is a man who has not been formally canonized, but whose writings on Advent are beautiful and moving. Alfred Delp, SJ was a German Jesuit priest who was executed by the Nazis on February 2, 1945. Fr. Delp was a a great preacher and a critic of the Nazi regime, working actively against the Nazis. One collection of his writings in English, Advent of the Heart (published by Ignatius Press) brings together several Advent sermons and writings from prison as well as an Advent play he wrote. On the third Sunday of Advent in 1944, while incarcerated in Tegel Prison, Fr. Delp wrote on the theme of joy, which is fitting for Gaudete Sunday: \”In order to be capable of true life, man must live according to a specific order and relationship to God. The capability of true joy and of living joyfully is itself dependent upon specific conditions of human life, upon particular attitudes regarding God. Where life does not perceive itself as taking place in community with God, it will be gray and gloomy and drab and calculating.\” This is the secret of Advent joy: our communion with God. If we are in communion with Him, everything becomes pure joy, regardless of exterior situation. Without Him the happiest celebration becomes like dust and ashes. Fr. Delp reminds us that our whole lives are a kind of Advent as we await the coming of the great King at the end of our lives. Let us be ready to meet Him when He comes!

Advent Companions: Blessed Margaret of Savoy, OP

 
Blessed Margaret of Savoy was a fifteenth century Dominican nun. She was (as her name reveals) a member of the royal house of Savoy and related to all kinds of kings, queens, and even an antipope (Clement VII). Although she had always wanted to be a nun, she married Theodore Paleologus, marquis of Montferrat, for reasons of state. Their marriage was reasonably happy and after his death she resolved not to remarry. She was 36 at the time. She first became a Dominican tertiary and later, by permission of Pope Eugenius IV, a Dominican nun. She formed a community at Alba and lived there until her death. 
Margaret had a difficult life as a nun. Early in her religious life, she had a vision of Christ offering her three arrows labeled \”Sickness, Slander, Persecution\” and she suffered from all three of these. However, she saw God\’s hand in all her trials, and was able to carry on. Margaret is a good companion during Advent for two reasons. First, she was able to work cheerfully and devotedly for God under all circumstances, traits so needed during this season when we should all be happy and full of joy but when it is also easy to become depressed or angry. Second, Margaret had a pet deer that used to follow her around (yes, even indoors) and keep her company, even running errands for her when she needed things done. The deer would knock on a sister\’s door when Margaret needed her, and then lead the sister to Margaret. This is a bit farfetched, but at this time of year when we sing happily of flying reindeer, it doesn\’t seem entirely improbable! (Or does it?) Let us continue on our way with Margaret and all the holy Dominican women this Advent, who looked forward to the birth of Christ not only in time but in their hearts and souls.